The Defence of Idleness. 



V^HESTERFIELD asks somewhere, of some 

 one, " Will you improve that hour instead of 

 idling it away?" That depends. For myself, I 

 hold it most righteous to idle away many an hour, 

 for, paradoxical as it may seem, with folded arms 

 and half-closed eyes we may wax wiser with every 

 hour. An " idle hour" is a contradiction. The 

 world does not pause because your step becomes 

 a shuffle ; and where, out of doors, is it empty ? 

 Custom is a cruel taskmaster ; but when his back 

 is turned it is well to watch a chance and give 

 ourselves over to receptive idleness. It is the en- 

 joyment of such moments in anticipation that 

 makes labor tolerable. One day in seven is every 

 man's by law, and so he values it at far less than 

 its real worth. A stolen week-day hour, for which 

 one plans and struggles, is a tidbit more clearly 



