r)--that he had positively forgotten all
about his duty to his convivial fellow-practitioners till he was
reminded by a telegram from a young lady (a laugh). He alluded to
his daughter (cheers). Several morals might be drawn from this
little incident. The advantages of the sixpenny telegram and the
even greater advantages of getting on the right side of the fair
sex (cheers and laughter); these were two morals, but what he
proposed to bring more particularly under their notice to-night was
this: that if a respectable old chap like himself could enjoy
himself so thoroughly as to forget his duty, there was hope even
for the oldest of them (slight applause). What satisfaction was it
to become prosperous and respected if at the same time one became a
bugbear to one's children and a bore to one's acquaintances?
Supposing that one of the old and valued friends he saw before him
could suddenly see himself with the eyes of a young man of forty,
or better still of thirty, what would he think of himself?--He
would desire to drive a pin through the old fossil's trousers and
wake him up! (a laugh). He would realize he was out of touch with
life; that he was neglecting a dozen opportunities a day for giving
pleasure to people who were still young enough to enjoy themselves,
and thereby bucking himself up too. Mr. Walkingshaw begged his
audience, particularly that portion of it over fifty, to beware of
the fatal habit of growing old. How was this to be avoided? Well,
everybody could not hope to have his own good fortune, but he could
give them a few tips. In the first place, they should make a point
of falling in love at least twice a year (laughter). The old duffer
who ceased to fall in love was doomed. Then, while leading a
strictly abstemious life on six days of the week, they should let
themselves go a bit on the seventh; and when in that condition (a
laugh)--he did not mean 'blind fu',' but merely a little the
happier for it--while in that condition they should unlock their
cash boxes and distribute a substantial sum among the poor and
deserving young. Furthermore, they should make a point of mixing at
least twice a week in fresh society--Bohemians, sportsmen, and the
like. Also, nothing should be allowed to degenerate into a habit,
especially churchgoing--"