This collection of essays by George Bentley explores the themes of work, leisure, and culture in the late 19th century. Bentley argues that the rise of industrial capitalism has created a culture of overwork and stress, which has negative effects on both individual health and social harmony. He advocates for a more balanced approach to work and leisure, and encourages readers to cultivate their intellectual and artistic interests as a means of personal fulfillment. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.