308 Book of the Black Bass. 



the "wealth that sinews bought," has in a moment been 

 swept away after years of toil and anxiety. Or, if they 

 make their footing sure, they find, too often, that the re- 

 sult has only been attained at the expense of a permanent 

 impairment of health, for which the dearly bought treasure 

 is but a sorry recompense ; and the oft-imagined and fondly 

 looked for goal of a life of peace and quiet and the enjoy- 

 ment of the hard-earned competency, has been realized to 

 be one of short continuance or of long bodily suffering. 



To keep pace with the rapid strides of trade and traffic, 

 as much labor is now performed in one day as was f ormerlj' 

 done in a week. Consequently, between the busy seasons, 

 or " heats," in this race for wealth and place, men find it 

 absolutely necessary, not so much from choice as necessity, 

 to rest and recuperate and build up the exhausted energies, 

 the tired brain and relaxed muscles, and to gird up the loins 

 for renewed efforts. 



The necessity being acknowledged, the question then 

 arises: in what way can this rest and recreation of the 

 muscular and nervous tissues of the body be best attained ? 

 When men think of rest and relaxation their thoughts turn 

 naturally to the woods, to the fields, to running streams 

 and quiet lakes, or the sea-shore. If it is simply a Sunday 

 stroll, their steps naturally and irresistibly lead them to 

 green fields, or the river side ; or a drive along the country 

 road with its hedges, and birds, and crossing brooks. If 

 it is a day's holiday, it miist be a picnic in the grand old 

 woods, and near a lake, or stream, or at least a babbling 

 rill. The very idea of perfect rest is associated with mossy 

 banks and cool sparkling waters. It is doubtful if there 

 is a sweeter line in human language, or one more expressive 

 of perfect bliss, of lasting peace, of complete rest, of true 

 happiness,, of quiet contentment, than that of the Psalmist : 



