Purpose of writing, Relaxation

Need of Relaxation.—Reproached for frolicking with his children, lEsop pointed to an unbent bow, and asked how long it would be an effective weapon if kept constantly strung. Disraeli tells of the Jesuits that they had a standing rule that after two hours' study the mind should take some relaxation, however trifling. Petavius used to twirl his chair for five minutes, Richelieu jumped with his servant to try which could reach the higher point on the wall, and Samuel Clarke used to leap over chairs and tables. A young prelate was sent with a message to the stern Cardinal Mazarin. By a blunder of a servant he was admitted to the august presence unannounced, and to his consternation he surprised the great man amusing himself by jumping over articles of furniture. For a moment the embarrassment was mutual, but the young courtier soon recovered himself. "I will bet your eminence two gold pieces that I can beat that jump," he exclaimed, pulling off his shoes as if eager for the sport. The Cardinal accepted the challenge, and the two contested like school-boys. The young man lost his wager, but won the lasting favor of the haughtiest dignitary in Europe. But the relaxation most universal among men is the contemplation of the ludicrous.

see humor