DAYLIGHT VERSUS ARTIFICIAL LIGHT.
By Julia H. Duffie
PERHAPS this caption might quite properly be rendered “God’s light versus man’s light;” for among the many inventions which men have sought out they have found it expedient to devise various methods of producing artificial light. Neither could the multitudinous operations of the business and social world be successfully carried on without large recourse being had to this convenient substitute for that wonderful element which the Creator in the beginning spoke into existence and pronounced good. Nevertheless we country people (and perhaps many others), who are to quite an extent disconnected from the busy machinery of the world, have, it seems to me, the privilege of living more in harmony with the original plan when man was created upright. Not that one may make rules for another according to that which may have proved practical and satisfactory to himself; for each one is constituted and situated differently from others, and can only adopt the suggestions of others as far as he finds them available. Daylight is certainly that to which the human eye is naturally adapted; then would it not be consistent to use that when practicable, and to avoid the use of the substitute as far as duty and circumstances would permit? In this latitude during the summer months the day dawns very early. In fair weather at four o’clock A.M., sometimes earlier, it is light enough for ordinary labor to be performed, tho it is preferable that this be of a nature not to strain the eyes, as the oculist tells us that the eye must not be taxed before breakfast. However, I can not think that if one is properly seated, allowing the strongest light to fall upon10the work instead of the face, even sewing or studying before breakfast is as injurious to the eyes and nerves as using them for the same purposes by artificial light. A cup of water as hot as can be comfortably drank upon rising will affect the eyes much the same as eating. As for myself, I seldom find it possible to eat much breakfast very soon after rising, consequently before dinner time must eat “to keep up,” but when rising early and taking two hours’ brisk exercise before eating, I find myself in condition to enjoy a hearty breakfast, which does not produce the stupor which a very light one does earlier, and which satisfies until dinner time. During the hot weather, those who do their hardest work in the cool of morning thereby secure the privilege of seeking a cool corner for light work or resting, if necessary, during the less comfortable part of the day. There is something so cheering and invigorating in the morning air, “while yet the birds their early matins sing,” that it seems one can hardly afford to miss it. On the other hand late working at night is to most people very exhausting because very unnatural. It is true that nature accommodates herself remarkably to abnormal conditions in this respect, as in many others, yet those who are permitted to live nearest her laws, will in the end have attained the truest success. Reading or sewing by twilight is very injurious to the eyes, hence if such work must be done after clear daylight is gone, artificial light should be employed. More rest and sleep are required in cold weather than in warmer, hence provision is made for it. In those portions of the earth where the days and nights are of great length, the effects of these less fortunate conditions are plainly discernible upon the inhabitants, tho undoubtedly less disastrous to those born under those conditions than they would be to others. In this favored latitude, in ordinary households, it is seldom necessary to use artificial light during the warm season. When daylight is gone, and the birds and lambs have gone to bed, let Johnny and Susie follow their example. This is the mother’s sacred hour; when the little eyes see nothing to distract the attention, and the little hands and feet are willingly quiet, then the mother talks are gladly listened to, and upon the tones the little minds drift innocently away to slumber-land. Mother Nature will usually attend to their awakening in the morning, when her work of restoring is fully accomplished.