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 take up for 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 very 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.
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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, draughts and cards, as their hobbies. While hunting or fishing, or yachting are the favourite recreations of others.
Photography makes an interesting and instructive hobby; and for those who have the gift, sketching and painting and wood- carving. The latter hobbies require special artistic gifts; but almost any one can learn carpentry and picture-framing.
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Many people find great pleasure and interest in gardening; especially in cultivating some special flowers, like roses. And boys especially like keeping pets, such as rabbits and fowls.
Every 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 an 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.