The Argosy Author:Unknown Author Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE ART OF GROWING OLD. By The Author Of " Margaret And Iikr Bridesmaids." T T is something to be lamented that amid the many rules and fashions that gove... more »rn the habits of men, some code is not enforced as to the manner of growing old becomingly. Philosophers, sages, and essayists have each treated upon " Old Age" and its consequences; but hardly in a satisfactory manner as to the duties it owes itself. " Old Age," in theory, demands respect, veneration, and even admiration. " Old Age," in reality, suffers contempt, ridicule, and neglect. We are all as ready to bind ourselves to the theory as we find ourselves forswearing it in reality. Is the theory in fault, or the reality, that we find our actions so belie our judgment ? In replying to this question, it is much to be feared that we bring " Old Age " into disrepute ourselves. Either it comes upon us unawares, before we are prepared to wear it properly, or we are so disgusted with it when it does arrive, we are at no pains to conceal our own contempt for it. Moreover there are many instances where the body becomes old before the heart—where the springs of the mind are more fresh than the sinews of the frame. In short, it may be asserted as fact that few wear " Old Age" gracefully, and none do so willingly. And yet what a beautiful thing is beautiful old age. How admirable when a kind and tender heart, still hopeful and sympathizing, is united to the white hairs of experience—the faltering steps of a closing life. And how seldom we meet with this. In almost all momentous actions of life, men are very much under the influence of the future. They desire to have it said they have done well, generously, nobly; they hope that the action just passed will have a fragrance of praise about it, ever associated wit...« less