by reasoning, as we learn to walk by walking. As one whose limbs have for a long time been confined and motionless, loses, in some degree, the power of walking, so one who suffers this faculty of reason to remain inactive, loses in some degree, the power of reasoning. Moreover, even speech is lost by long disuse. Some who had, for several years, been in a condition of solitude and utter seclusion from the company of fellow beings, were, when first restored to society, unable to articulate their mother tongue. Such, in particular, was the case of Alexander Selkirk, whose real history is veiled under the fictitious but pleasing tale of Robinson Crusoe. Now it is obvious that age naturally delights in repose; in a conditon of quiet, both of body and mind; of quiet bordering on inaction. It is visited with the feeling of lassitude not easily overcome; for which reason, the most of those whose prime has been spent in vigorous labor of thought, do in the evening of life remit this labor, considerably or altogether, and their minds fail for lack of exercise.

It is, further, obvious to remark, that age seldom enjoys an equal participation in social intercourse. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." The mind can doze over a book, but engaging conversation arouses its dormant powers, and tends more, perhaps, than any thing else to give it tone and tension. But a great many of the aged are solitary and desolate. The companions of their youth, and even of their riper years, are mostly gone, and they have found none to supply their places. Living, as it were, alone in the world, their minds are no longer expanded and quickened by a living intercourse with society.

If the topics, which have now been merely suggested, were

considered in all their bearings and consequences, it would, I conceive, appear at least as a probable fact, that the imbecility of minds once strong, is more frequently the effect of their own torpid inaction, than of the impairing hand of time.

To those who wish for the prolongation of their rational faculties (and who would not wish it?) I will venture to suggest the following short hints.

1st. "Be temperate in all things"-in your desires, as well as in your enjoyments.

2d. Cultivate contentment and cheerfulness of temper. cheerful heart doeth good like a medicine." Like a medicine, it harmonizes and invigorates the body and the mind; while morbid melancholy and peevishness powerfully tend to impair both.

3d. So educate and so train up your children, if children you have, that they will, likely, be not only the props, but the delightful companions of your old age.

4th. When the years draw nigh, or are actually come, in which the hand of time begins to bear hard upon you, beware of sinking into mental torpitude or inaction; by reading and contemplation, exercise daily the faculties of memory, of reason, and of judg

ment.

5th. Neither withdraw from society, nor give society occasion to withdraw from you. As fast as the friends of your youth drop away by death, make to yourselves other friends from among the succeeding generations. It is not good that the old should consort with none but the old; it tends to deepen the shade of the gloomy valley which they are passing through, and to accelerate the impairment of their minds. The company and conversation

of the young,―nay, even the prattle of little children is animating to well-tempered age: and, on the other hand, age, that carries with it experience and good information, and possesses a due mixture of pleasant humor with becoming gravity, has it in its power to please, as well as to profit, the decent and ingenuous part of younger society.

In conclusion: Lay hold of wisdom, as the only sure anchor of age." In her right hand is length of days." The firm belief and steadfast practice of our holy religion, as it yields the consolation of hope, which as to the aged can no longer spring from the prospect of earthly enjoyments,-so it tends much, in every way, to invigorate the understanding and to preserve it from decay.

NUMBER XXXVIII.

OF THE SILLY QUARREL BETWEEN A VENERABLE OLD COUPLE ABOUT A LITTLE GOAT.

TOBIT of old and his wife Anna, unluckily fell into a quarrel upon the question, how she came by the kid that he heard bleating in his house. He very uncourteously accused her of stealing it; while she, in return, broadly hinted that, notwithstanding his pretensions, he was no better than he should be. Behold, thou and all thy works are known."

"The tongue can no man tame." And besides, it is agreeable to the laws of pneumatics that the lightest bodies should rise the highest, especially in a tempest. Wherefore, in spite of the degrading subjection in which the wife was held under the husband in that age and country, Anna had the last word; and a cutting word it was. Poor Tobit, it seems, had more than his match; for the retort that his wife made upon him was so keenly sarcastic, and touched him so deeply, that he fell a weeping. Indeed he was not much to be pitied, as he was manifestly the aggressor. Had he patiently inquired into the matter instead of blurting

out his provoking suspicions, the bitter fray between them had never been.

This apocryphal text, which, peradventure, was never treated of so formally and methodically before, embraces several points of sound and wholesome doctrine. 1st. The serenity of connubial life is very apt to be disturbed by sudden and unexpected gusts, unless special care be taken in this particular. If both husband and wife be of a mild and even temper, there is no danger; or if one be so, and the other hasty, the danger is not so great; but if both be inflammable, there is need of the utmost watchfulness. A couple so tempered may, notwithstanding, be faithful, generous, noble-spirited, and kind-hearted, and may live together very lovingly in the main; but if they fail to keep a sharp look-out, now and then a gust arises, all of a sudden, and quite unexpectedly to themselves, and the house is made to ring from side to side. Some one, in his speculations on this subject, has recommended it, that a hasty couple should accustom themselves, ere they fly into a passion with one another, to utter in their hearts thrice the three following cooling words-BEAR ANd forbear.

2d. The most part of domestic feuds, perhaps nine in ten, spring from trifles.. "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth." A word unfitly spoken, a sour look, a neglect, touches and stings the mind, and sometimes fires the tongue, and occasions a boisterous dispute; even though neither party can accuse or blame the other, in any matters of considerable moment.. For the prevention of this kind of domestic evil, permit me to of fer the following recipe: "The Jesuits," according to an Italian author-“The Jesuits, with whom none could vie in the pleasures of civil life, were exceedingly attentive to appear to