The word “hobby” is derived from “hobby-horse.”
which is a stick fitted with a wooden horse’s head, which children ride astride
for their amusement. We still talk of a man “riding” his hobby. So a hobby is
an amusement; properly it is any interesting pursuit. Not our main business,
which we tale up {or our amusement in our leisure time. What is a business to
one man may be a hobby to another; for example, a photographer may have
gardening as his hobby; and a paid
gardener may go in for photography as a recreation.
There are many kinds of hobbies. Many take the form
of collecting in some form. Collecting postage stamps is a common hobby in
England, not only with boys, but with men too. Some make collections of wild
flowers and ferns and press and mount their specimens. Others take an interest
in geology, and find much amusement in collecting fossils. Such hobbies do not
cost much, and are within the reach of all. But others, such as collecting
pictures, old books. Curiosities, and antiquities, are only for the rich.
Other hobbies take the form of games and sport.
Many take up open air games, like golf, tennis, cricket or football, or indoor
games such as chess, droughts and cards, as their hobbies. While hunting, or
fishing, or yachting is the favorite recreation of others.
Photography make an interesting and instructive
hobby: and for those who have the gift, sketching and painting and woodcarving.
The latter hobbies require special artistic gifts; but almost anyone can learn
carpentry and picture-framing.
Many people find great pleasure and interest in
gardening: especially in cultivating some special flowers, like roses.
Sometimes some people grow vegetables. In this way, it becomes a very useful
hobby. They grow all kinds of vegetables at home. They never have to busy
vegetables from bazaar. They can save a lot of money in this way. And boys
especially like keeping pets, such as rabbits and fowls. They spend most of the
time with their pets. They get pleasure from them. in short, hobby is very
important thing in man’s life. Man can enjoy even in his free time.
Whether you are old or young, a boy or a girl, it
has a lot a of attraction for everyone. We always get a lot of benefit from the
hobby hut lose nothing.
Ever one young and old should have a hobby of some
sort for his leisure hours; for it adds greatly to the pleasure of life. It is
often n education in itself, and it fills our vacant hours with interest. It
gives us, also, something to fall back on when our business days are over, in
the leisure time at the end of life.