The Wilmingtonian., 1824-04-01
.sssSG&SSss~~.--
From the Ctriosities of Literature"

SSG&8Sse~a.s-----
From the "Cnriosites of Literature"
The progress Of old age in nelo studies.
of the pleasures derivable from the cul-
tivation of the arts, sciences, and ltera-
ture, time will not abate the growing pas
SION, for old men still cherish an affection
and feel youthful enthusiasm in those
pursuits, when all Others have ceased tc
interest. DR.. Reid, to his last day. retain
a most active curiosity in his various stu
dies, and particularly in the revolutions
of modern chemistry. In advanced life
we may resume our former studies with a
new pleasure, and in old age we may enjoy
them with the same relish with which more
youthful students commence. Professor
Dugad Stewart tell AZ. that Adam smit
observed to him. TBS. IT all the amuse.
ments of old age. ;be .anst grateful and
soothing is reDewal oi Jc4uAntance with
The favourite studies sod favourite authors
Of youth-a remark, Which in his own case
seemed 10 taase particularly exemplili'd
while he wrs gepcrusing, with the en-
MSS IN d 5 siaient, the tragic poets OF
ftS .s i Hcaii Niili iSI'NEt th'
&S sSa more than once, while Soph-
NO Euripedes lay open on his table,
$rttes learned to play on musical IN
,csiaients inhis old age; Cato, at eighty.
> ttop5ht proper to learn Greek; aHd Plu-
u 81, almost as late in lile, Latin.
Iheophrastus began his almirab.e wnik
onihe Characters Of Men, at the extreme
age o.. ninety. He only terminated hi
literary abours BY His death.
The great Arnauld retained the vigonf,
ofhis genius, aad he command OF his pen
to lis last day; and at the age of eighty
two was still the gseat AlnauId.
Sir Henry Spelman neg lected the sci
cnces in his youth, but cultivated them al
fifty years of age, and produced good fruit
His early years were chiefly passed III
farming, which greatly diverted him FROM
his studies but a remarkable ,iisappoint-
ment respecting conteated estate, dis
gusted him with these rustlck occupations;
resolved to attach himself to rcguiar >.ii-
dies, and literary society. be sold his iarm-
and became the most learned antluuar,
and lawyer.
Colbert, the famous French minister, al
most at sixty, returned to III, batia and
law studies.
Teller, the chancellor of France, learn,
ed logick, merely for an amusement, tt
dispute with his grand. children.
Dr.Johnscn applied himself to the nn'cl
language but few years before III, death
The Marquis de Saint Au!airr, at III,
age Of seventy, began to coui the muses.
and they crowned him with their ires o.
flowers. The verses of this French Ana
creon are full OF fire, delicacy a.d s@cet
ness.
Chanccr' Canterbury Tales were 'ht
cpmpostiun Of his latest years. The'
were begun in his fit y-tourth year, at,
finished in his sixty-iitst.
Iudovico Monaldescn, at the eytraor
binary are of lis years, wrote the me
mnirs nt his times. A singular exprtinr
noticed by Vol,aire, WHO himself is one o
the m0st remarkable instances Of the pro
grass Vt age in new studies.
Tie most delightful of autohicgraphcr
for artists, is ihai of 3rnveauto Coliiai;
work Of great originality, which VAS no
nrgun TIL " the clock Of bis age had strucl
ttte .rinls."
Eaornhert began at forty TO learn II,
Latin AZ! Greek languages, nf which h,
bersns a tnaster; several students, win
Afterwards distinguished themselves, have
commenced as late in lie their llierar,
pursuits.
nsIby. the translator Of l'nmcr and Y;r
Knew little of iatn or j',efk till h
paSt fifty; and Franalin's phIo.ophl.
ea>uts began when he had nearly
e,I IS fitieth year.
Nrvdep'. complete works inr'. The |are.
eSt h'fv q poetry from the pen of one wrl.
fer q Inc En9 lish Language, vet he gave nc
Enb'icS testimony Of pne,ical abilities till
~" 'W"nty--eFenth year. In HI, sixty
eighth he proposed to translate The whnl,
Had and his most pleasing productions
were written IN his old aye.
Michael Angelo preserved his greatly,
genius even in extreme old age; there is
drvce said to be invented by him, of a
Oh man represented in so-cart, with a
'Nn~slass anon it; the inscription .fae0r
70 .---T III AM LEARNING