young countrymen, by whom he passed, kept their seats, but when he came near the place where the Spartan ambassadors and their suite were sitting, they all instantly rose, and seated him in the midst of them; upon which the house resounded with the applause of the Athenians. The old man quietly said, "The Athenians know what is right, but the Spartans practise it." If there is any form of self-complacency which is pardonable, it is that of the happy old man, who makes his circuit among the places of business, where he was once among the busiest, and receives with a satisfied smile the regard of all around him. He seats himself in the shops, cracks his old jokes, repeats his old stories, lectures the boys, and sometimes breaks forth into a half-comic scolding of every thing pertaining to modern times.

advantages of

This is what But who will

I look upon it as one of the great age, that it can freely give advice. the rest of us cannot do so well. be offended with the counsels, or even the rebukes of a venerable father, leaning on his staff, and shaking with that infirmity which is but the beginning of death? The words and the example of old men are so effective, that I have sometimes thought the responsibility of this season of life was not sufficiently felt. A man may do more good in this way after he is sixty, than in all his foregoing life. But it is to be done, not sourly, grimly, complainingly, or morosely, but with that

gentleness which may show that it arises from true benevolence.

It was observed by the ancients, that the besetting sin of old age is avarice. Strange, that the less one needs, the more he should desire! Yet thus it is and thus it will ever be, unless some better principles be infused in earlier life; the ruling passion will be strong even in death. In the following celebrated verses of Pope, it is now well known that the poet merely repeated the very words used on his death-bed by Sir William Bateman:

"I give, and I devise' (old Euclio said,

And sigh'd) 'my lands and tenements to Ned.'
Your money, sir? My money, sir? what, all?
Why, if I must- -(then wept) I give it Paul.'

The manor, sir? The manor! hold,' he cried,
'Not that, I cannot part with that'—and died."

66 we

Thus, I repeat it, old age will be liable to the madness of avarice, unless religious principle prevent; and even if religion has been neglected in former years, it should demand attention now, "When a ship is leaking," says Seneca, may stop a single leak, or even two or three; but when all the timbers are going to pieces, our efforts are of no avail." So in the human body, when old age shows that the fabric is breaking down, the soul ought to be looking out for a better habitation. Alas! few grow wise late in life. The most pleasing instances of old age are those

of persons who have attended to the best things in youth. Such there are, and they are among the greatest ornaments of religion. "The hoary

head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." The Christian old man shows fruit even in winter. Instead of being querulous, he is contented, hopeful, rejoicing. The natural sourness of declining years has been ripened into a delightful mellowness of temper, by the graces of religion. May such be the old age of the reader!

XLV.

CONCLUSION.

""Tis the only discipline we are born for;
All studies else are but as circular lines,

And death the centre where they must all meet."
MASSINGER.

In the foregoing essays I have touched upon a great variety of subjects, and have passed "from grave to gay," from entertainment to instruction. There are many matters quite as important which must be left unattempted. But I cannot bring myself to close the volume without a word of counsel upon what is still more momentous than any to which I have alluded. Whatever our calling in life may be, it must come to an end; and however our paths may differ, they will all meet in the same termination. At death we shall be stripped of all our petty distinctions, and despoiled of all our worldly gains.

He must be a very stupid or a very heedless man, who never asks himself what are the probabilities of his condition after death. A prosperous life here does not secure a prosperous life hereafter. The very heathen may rebuke us for our carelessness. Even the deist, if he believes

in the immortality of the soul, must have some solicitude about the nature of that immortality. Some persuade themselves that all men will certainly be happy after death. This is a convenient doctrine for all who wish to enjoy vicious pleasures; but there is too much at stake for any man to adopt it without great consideration, and such arguments as defy all contradiction. It is against our rational feelings of justice, the common judgment of all ages, and the plain meaning of the Bible.

If there is, then, a risk of losing one's soul, can a reasonable man leave the matter unsettled? It has often filled me with astonishment to see men of the greatest foresight and discretion in worldly affairs, so ruinously careless in these. They would not consent to pay a small sum of money without taking a receipt; or to live in a house without insurance; or to lend money without security; knowing that even where neighbours are honest, life is uncertain. But they will hazard their everlasting interests upon the merest chance. No one can predict what a day may bring forth. Death takes most of its victims by surprise. Yet the multitude live from year to year without any attempt at preparation.

The undue value set upon wealth and temporal prosperity, is one great cause of this recklessness. All through life men are in chase of that which perishes as they grasp it. Give them all that their most eager wishes could demand, and you