INTRODUCTORY 5 



As a rule, we find our pleasures in our own 

 way for ourselves, and do not take or learn 

 them from others. What we really care for 

 we have at first hand, the beginning of the 

 feeling being within us or not at all, though 

 what we read or hear from others helps and 

 stimulates it. It is indeed almost impossible 

 to justify a particular pursuit to soms one else 

 who has not got the sense of it. One man 

 has a hobby and may talk about it to another 

 easily, or even with eloquence and power ; 

 but if that other has not shared the hobby, 

 he will not understand the language, and the 

 speaker has no right to expect that he should. 

 On the other hand, to any one who does share 

 it, even a little imperfectly told becomes inte- 

 resting, and weak words begin to stir kindred 

 memories. When a man has a hobby it is to 

 be hoped that he will learn reticence ; that he 

 will never go into the world at large without 

 a resolve not to talk about what he cares for 

 most; that in society and places where they 

 talk, he will carry his delight within him like 

 a well guarded treasure, not to be unlocked 

 and disclosed in all its fulness on any slight or 



