Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 266, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 November 1918 — HOURS FOR SLEEP [ARTICLE]

HOURS FOR SLEEP

Bed Should Surely Claim OneThird of Person's Use. " Not Much Difference as to What Particular Portion of the Night la Devoted to Blumber, but Grab Off Enough. For a long time and in the majority of places in this country It has been the habit to stay up late at night, and in soiqe places the early morning hours have not been given much attention. Of course this refers principally to the larger towns and cities, and while there would of necessity be some people getting to work at seven o’clock the average man or woman coining along at eight or even later would find things still in the cleaning-up and opening-up stage. Sunrise, on the mountains of at sea or in the rural districts, is an event worthy of attention and well rewards the early riser with its beauty add significance, but the early riser in the town or city has usually found everything untidy and must step over ash cans and dodge the sweepers and be satisfied with the sleepy grunts of workmen who are getting tilings into shape for the business of the day. It is anything but picturesque and Is most unattractive.

Whoever it was who discovered sleep decided that at least one-third of a person’s life was properly spent Iq bed, and therefore, when the crowd stops up until midnight, it is healthy and wise to remain under cover, or anway on the pillows, until eight o’clock. The dancer or card-player (certainly we mean bridge and other perfectly proper games), lingering for the last onestep or the final hand, until one o’clock, should not be disturbed until nine. And so on, according to the accepted plan of health and happiness. But taking the other side of the argument—or rattier, reversing the program—let the average person retire at ten o’clock and rise at six.

Probably a%hole lot, of people will grumble at the schedule suggested, and we don’t pretend to say that It must be done. W® bftven’t been appointed sleep yet, nor yet given the right to up at a certain hour. A gresthdeal has been done, however, in ycijr that tends to a more reasonably sleeping and waking scheme. Through the winter and early spring two nights; each week were allied limited lighting only. This was calculated to send the people home earlier than usual, and served to keep some folks at home after dinner or supper, according to the designation of the evening meal. A great amount of fuel was saved, according to report, and up to date no damage has- been reported to business, society or individuals. , The stores are closing early and the tendency seem to be for an early retirement generally. In Miami they are trying out a curse it Isn’t a real curfew. It only refers to young folks under a certain age, and it won’t amount to a great deal. The English, understand that sauce should be provided of suitable strength for both the gander and the goose, and. in England the curfew law closes all places of amusement and all business enterprises at a certain reasonable time. Parents are expected to take care of their young daughters and sons and themselves. The theaters and concert halls, restaurants and danee halls and recreation enterprises generally plan their programs to begin early and end in time for their patrons to get home considerably before midnight. There is no penalty for rising early in London or elsewhere, and the population, now very generally retiring about v ten o’clock, is likely 90 per cent up at 6 a. m. A very large per cent is certainly up at five o’clock and many at four, and some earlier.

The eight hours mentioned is not a rigid rule of health or really beneficial to everybody. That it is enough for 90 per cent of the population of this country Is certain, and thousands and thousands can live happily, beautifully and profitably with a smaller average of sleep. A few really need more than eight hours. Thomas A, Edison has been quoted as saying that four hours’ sleep was sufficient —for him. Perhaps he said it, and possibly that is enough for some men at some period of their lives. The great big majority need more than four hdurs, and also cai* do very well with eight. It is then evident that by going to bed as early as ten o’clock and rising at six the worker will have a whole lot of morning time —tSe*! best always for work or pleasure or both.