AN ALL-ROUND TONIC

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 18

AN ALL-ROUND TONIC

WHY A HOBBY IS NEEDED

lV years, centuries cvei), hobbies belonged almost exclusively to the delectable kingdom oi 1 man, but woman has now discovered their worth and charm and lias' annexed those which please her, together with many other interests and pleasures once enjoyed by her menfolk only, and which, to do them justice, they are more than willing she should share, says tho London "Daily Telegraph.'"'

A woman witli a hobby is at woman of: importance in respect to- it; she lias something worth while to do which she docs for her own pleasures (although, incidentally, frequently for othor folks' benefit), and not for profit, material gain, or from necessity. She has broadened her outlook by. voluntarily stepping out into a now avenue in the land of everyday things, and she has opened the door to new friends and new interests, for any hobby is common ground and a mutual hobby, a pleasure-ground for friendly intercourse. '

Now that woman is no longer a slave in tho home or a novice in the business and professional world, she realises, as man does, tho value of leisure hours, and keeps her mind and body iv health by enjoying every moment of' them, instead of frittering them away in meaningless ways. No passive pleasure gives .the same keen enjoyment, .as happy activity, and by putting all ; her energy into tho hobby she has chosen and working. for love of it a woman sets a higher standard for herself than any critic, could —a standard which raises the value of all her work.

It is seldom that a, hobby has much relation to career or! environment. The busy housewife finds pleasure in elocution and public speaking, the accountant spends her happiest hours in a garden, the doctor under a motor-car; the teacher breeds dogs, the society woman' longs to cook and bake, the singer to sew, tho farmer to. fiddle, the clerk to wander in country places, tho shopkeeper to play with babies, and, the manual worker to write beautifulwords and paint fair pictures.

A hobby is a physical, mental, and often a spiritual tonic, an investment in hours which yields a wealth of happy years, a retreat, from the anxieties of life, an outlet for 'surplus, energy,, and. a 'means of' content;' '/;c :■' '■