Page:Hardwicke's Science-Gossip - Volume 1.pdf/17



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WHAT'S YOUR HOBBY?

ATHER a vulgar question, and withal a somewhat impertinent one; but we hope that the reader really has his "hobby," and, in that case, he is sure to grant us a free pardon. By a "hobby" we mean some study or pursuit which is his own free selection, and to which he devotes himself in his moments of leisure; something in which he takes delight after the toils and labours of the day are over,—when the rough struggle and mechanical routine are past, by means of which substance is earned to supply the wants, wishes, or luxuries of life; a something which comes "like sunshine after rain," to brighten an otherwise monotonous career, to supply food for reflection, and give zest and interest to a country stroll. They deserve little respect who can lay their hands upon their hearts and affirm that they have no "hobby;" that all besides "daily work" in their life is a blank. It may be that the "hobby" is one the name of which may scarcely be quotes: it may supply no food for the mind,—nothing for reflection,—no lasting pleasure,—yet it is a hobby nevertheless. Our present object is to induce all whom we have the good fortune to address, to answer for themselves the question we have propounded; and if they cannot do so with satisfaction to themselves or their friends, to set about acquiring a "hobby" at once.

To enable all who may desire a scientific hobby of their own to make such a choice, we will volunteer one or two suggestions. Let it be remembered that whilst we do so it is by no means with the desire of depreciating good hobbies of another kind. A man may be an amateur artist, mathematician, linguist, engineer, or devote himself to the study of history, poetry, philosophy, logic, or many other subject equally as praiseworthy, as effectual in supplying food for the mind, and as certain to elevate his intellectual character, as aught we may have to suggest. Such, and such, we heartily wish "God speed." But if you have no hobby, it is cheap and easy to acquire one. Ask of some friend, who has been in the habit of strolling away from your side whenever you have walked ten miles into the country together, and come suddenly upon a quarry or a chalk-pit, what he thinks of a little geological knowledge as an experiment, in the way of furnishing food for reflection, that shall supply material on which it can exercise itself, it may be, during the merely mechanical operations of daily life. He shall be your evidence that the toil is lighter, and the day shorter, because the intellectual as well as the physical man has received food. He will probably finish with the inquiry, "What is your hobby?"

It may be, that instead of seeking "sermons in stones," your friend has been led aside by the unknown whistle of some bird, by the eccentric gyrations of some unknown insect, by the desire to explore some silent, muddy puddle, or ditch half-choked with weeds. Ask of him whether there is any I.