Not such hobbies as that of Domitian, who occupied himself in catching flies.

The hobbies of the King of Macedon who made lanthorns, and of the King of France who made locks, were of a more respectable order.

Even a routine mechanical employment is felt to be a relief by minds acting under high-pressure: it is an intermission of labour--a rest--a relaxation, the pleasure consisting in the work itself rather than in the result.
But the best of hobbies are intellectual ones.

Thus men of active mind retire from their daily business to find recreation in other pursuits--some in science, some in art, and the greater number in literature.

Such recreations are among the best preservatives against selfishness and vulgar worldliness.