I rode or walked as I was wont before,
But now the bounding spirit was no more;
A moderate pace would now my body heat,
A walk of moderate length distress my feet.
I showed my stranger guest those hills sublime,
But said, "The view is poor, we need not climb."
At a friend's mansion I began to dread
The cold neat parlor and gay glazed bed;
At home I felt a more decided taste,
And must have all things in my order placed.
I ceased to hunt; my horses pleased me less--
My dinner more; I learned to play at chess.
I took my dog and gun, but saw the brute
Was disappointed that I did not shoot.
My morning walks I now could bear to lose,
And blessed the shower that gave me not to choose.
In fact, I felt a languor stealing on;
The active arm, the agile hand, were gone;
Small daily actions into habits grew,
And new dislike to forms and fashions new.
I loved my trees in order to dispose;
I numbered peaches, looked how stocks arose;
Told the same story oft--in short, began to prose.

--_George Crabbe._

45

Age is a matter of feeling, not of years.

_G. W. Curtis._

46

Men are as old as they feel, and women as they look.

_Italian._

47

May you all be as old as I,
And see your sons to manhood grow;
And many a time before you die,
Be just as pleased as I am now.

--_Bloomfield._

48

Old age and faded flowers, no remedies can revive.

--_Chinese._

49

'Twas impious then (so much was age rever'd)
For youth to keep their seats when an old man appear'd.

50

Goethe said: "It is only necessary to grow old to become more indulgent.
I see no fault committed that I have not committed myself."

51

The young are fond of novelty,
The old of custom.

52

Speak gently to the aged one,
Grieve not the care-worn heart;
The sands of life are nearly run--
Let such in peace depart!

53

Elderly people look back upon the friends, relatives and acquaintances
of thirty, forty or fifty years ago, and say, "There are no friends
now-a-days like the old friends of long ago." It is