T

rout Fishing

in Natal

CHAPTER XVI

is a shallow as well as a dismal scheme of life which ignores or undervalues the importance of recreation. In these days when Colonial business life is becoming more engrossing and the pursuit of what is called pleasure more laborious, it is more than ever desirable to find occasional change of scene and occupation which shall be really refreshing ; which shall at once recruit the energies of the body and give free play to faculties and feelings which are shelved during the daily routine of working hours. Mere locomotion is not enough ; our thoughts must be turned into new and pleasant channels, and we must seek places suited to new phases of agreeable activity.

It is of course true that what is recreation to one man might be weariness to another of different tastes and habits, who feels the strain of overwork in different functions of body or mind. A well-earned holiday may be employed in fifty different ways, each having its own fitness. But in comparing various recreations we may fairly give the palm to that which suits the greatest number of cases ; that in which a large proportion of intelligent men find healthful bodily exercise, combined with light yet interesting occupation for the mind.

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