Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter ix. wasted time on the road. pa here is an enormous amount of time wasted on the road that is unavoidable. There is, however, much valuable time wasted in the bars and billiard rooms of hotels which could surely be put to better and more profitable use. I have often thought that this waste of time was in most cases caused by lack of interest in the work. It seems that a travelling man who has his mind on selling goods will not let it be occupied with amusements which, when carried to excess, unfit him for his business. Every day is a little life. All other good gifts depend on time for their value. What are friends, books or health, the interest of travel or the delights of home, if we have not time for their enjoyment. Time is often said to be money, but it is more. It is life. And yet many who would cling desperately to life think nothing of wasting time. Not that a life of drudgery should be the ideal of the travelling man. Far from it. Time spent in harmless and rational enjoyments, in healthy games, family intercourse, friendly communion, is well and wisely spent. Games and exercise not only keep the body in health, but give a command over the muscles and limbs, and discipline the mind also in a way which can not be overvalued. Moreover, there are temptations which strong exercise best enables us to resist. It is generally the frivolous and the idle who complain that they cannot find the time to do that which they wish. It is surely true that people can find time for what they choose to do. It is not really the time, but the will that is wanting, and the vantage of leisure is mainly that we may have the power of choosing our own work. There are too many salesmen who have the idea that leisure is a very desirable thing...
