parts of the body; and hence a gradual debility of the general system is produced. Besides, that portion of blood which was sent to the lungs, to sustain its vitality and heat, is likewise diminished; consequently the respiration is more difficult, the extreme parts of the body lose their warmth, the muscular system is enfeebled, and the whole body becomes weak, incapable of balancing itself, and to perform its former activity and labour. To the same cause, of the failure of the heart, must be attributed the visible appearances of age. The alteration in the tone of voice, the shaking of the head, the trembling of the hands, the feebleness of the knees, the change of colour in the hair and skin, and the wrinkles of the face; these are the common forerunners to the breaking up of life. But these are not all the defects which should be named; for the sensible decay of the organic parts of the body usually affect the nervous system; the senses and the passions, which form. the more important rational parts of man, and these share in the general wreck; and it is obvious that these are the most common forerunners to the breaking up of the powers of man. The memory, and faculty for invention, fade like the leaf in autumn; and in some instances these infirmities have been so great, that they have reduced the power of rationality so low, as to produce a state somewhat like a second childhood. Eventually the blood can no longer feed and nourish the body. The animal powers thereby become exhausted; and, like a taper burnt down to its socket, quivers for the moment, and then ex

pires. The history of old age will, therefore, teach us, that its own appearances are various, as exhibited in different persons; and perhaps there are very few who can compare the like symptoms with each other. But the physical causes are the same in all; the heart fails, and the man dies. And of such a man whose death was not hastened by casualty, or accidental disease, it may be literally said of him, He died of old age.

The sensible and visible Process of Old Age.

We will now attempt to describe the symptoms and the progress of old age in a more familiar manner; and which, it is presumed, will not fail to be understood by every reader. These symptoms

and, by a gradual

usually commence at about FIFTY; process, terminate at SEVENTY; all beyond it is, more or less, decrepitude; or, as the psalmist calls it, labour and sorrow. Its first stages are scarcely perceptible, and most generally misunderstood, The person complains of an unusual lassitude or weariness in walking, or when employed in his accustomed labour, which he is disposed to attribute either to his having caught a violent cold, to rheumatic affections, or to any external cause whatever, rather than believe it to be the symptom which leads to old age. The mind, and the faculty of recollecting events, names, persons, and things, begin to falter, and calculations are made with less accuracy and expedition than formerly. Even this

defect is frequently placed to the account of too much business on hand, or the want of attention; and this mental defect will continue to increase, and soon convince him that he is advancing to what Solo mon calls the evil days; so that his mind resembles a vessel that is cracked, though not destroyed. A difference is frequently perceived in the appetite and relish, and in this case the cook is sometimes blamed. Solid food, which he once could heartily enjoy, must now be exchanged for that of a lighter quality, and more easy of digestion. If not before, there will now commence a sensible alteration in the organ of sight; objects become less visible; reading and writing must be performed by the aid of glasses; and sometimes, in this case also, the optician is blamed, instead of believing that his defective sight should remind him that he is advancing in the evening shades of life, and that the time is hastening when, as the wise man says, those that look out at the window be darkened. Connected with sight, the sense of hearing frequently becomes dull; sounds are confused, the pleasure of conversation is interrupted, and melody ceases to charm; and thus, all the daughters of musick are brought low in his estimation. See Ecclesiastes xii. Complaint is made that his days appear shorter, when in reality they are not so, for he cannot perform so much labour as formerly; but the man forgets that he has now turned the hill of fifty, and now decends with a quicker step; and although his inclination and ambition may prompt him to execute his plans, and do a full day's work, yet his

strength imperceptibly declines; or, as David expresses it, Thou weakenest my strength by the way, so that he fails to accomplish his design. In addition to these symptoms of advancing years, the person has frequent occasion to complain of a variety of pains, which produce those sensations he never felt before, from which medical aid affords but temporary relief. For, in fact, these aches and pains are as the drawing out of the pins of his fleshly tabernacle, and the cracking of the joints of the animal building, which must eventually fall into the dust of death. These are some of the lessons taught in the school of FIFTY; and if we follow the person to that of SIXTY, we shall find him still more practically conversant with his growing infirmities. By the time he arrives at SEVENTY, he no longer attributes his defects, his pains, and his decay, to imaginary causes, but to the breaking up of nature, as the harbingers of death and the grave.

Low as human nature may sink into infirmity by the pressure of years, there have been instances when she has made a strong effort to recover herself, and God in his providence has granted a revival, somewhat analogous to a second spring in the yearly autumn. A change of air, diet, exercise, new scenery, or other external enjoyments, have been so far beneficial, as partially to restore the debilitated old man, so as it may be said, he has taken a new lease of his life; or, as David in the 103d Psalm piously acknowledges the restoring hand of his God, Bless the Lord, O my soul, who redeemeth

thy life from destruction, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Still this renewal is of short duration, and the longest life must form its sable period. The body must return to the dust from whence it was taken, and the spirit to God who gave it. Therefore, happy is the man that is ready for his change, and blessed are the dead that, die in the Lord.

A few concluding reflections may not be without advantage.

If the intelligent reader indulges his reflections upon the animal and vegetable parts of creation, he will find them in growth and decay similar to himself. The lion of the forest, the long lived eagle, and the stately oak, which has braved the storm for ages, each of these, especially the oak, will be found to have nearly the same symptoms of decay, not materially different to human beings. Besides, look at your own existence, how gradually you advanced from childhood to youth, and from youth to manhood; and now, as gradually descend from manhood to old age, and to decrepitude. These different stages of your life, if viewed with serious attention, will open to your mind subjects which will not fail to excite your admiration, and your gratitude to the Almighty for the length of your days.

Few live to three score years and ten, and at such a time of life, an estimate of human mortality cannot but produce its salutary effects. Learned