Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-04-28
From The "Curiosities of Literatare.'

piness of others.
From the "Curiosities Of Literature."
TIT PROGRESS OF OLD ACE IN NEW sTUpIEs.
Oi the pleasures derivable from the
cultivation of the arts, sciences, and lit
eratu-e, time will not abate the growing
passion, for old men still cherish an az
iection and feel youthful enthusiasm
IN those pursuits, when all others have
ceased to Interest. DE-. Reid, TO his last
day, retained most active curiosity in
as RaEieus studies, and particularly in
the revolutions of modern chemistry
In adVapCed life we may resume our
former studies with new pleasure, and
IN old age we may enjoy them with tie
same relish with which more youthful
students commence. Professor DugaId
Stewart tells US. that Adam Smith OBJ
served to him, that & of ali the amuse
ments OF old age, the most greatfuI and
soothing is a renewal of acquaintance
with the iayourite studies and favourite
authors OF youth--a remark, which. in
liis own case, seemed to be more par
ricularly exempified while he was re-
perusIag, with the enthusiasm of STU
dent, the tragic poets Of ancient Greece.
heard aim repeat the observation
more than once, while Sophocles and
Eorpides lay open Oh his table,
Socrates learned to play on musical
Instruments in his old age; Cato. al
eighty, thought proper to learn Greek
aud PlutaFch, almost as late in life,
Latin.
Theophrastus began his admirable
work on the Characters of Men. at the
extreme age Of ninety He only ter
minated his literary labocs by his death.
The great Arnauld retained the yie-
cur o. bis genius, aud the command of
his pen, to his last day and at the age
Of eighty-two was still the great Arm
auid.
Sir Henry Spelman neglected the
sciences 10 his youth, but cultivated
them at fifty years of age, and produced
good fruit. His early years were chief
y passed in farming, which greatly di-
yerted him from his studies; but re-
markabie disappointment respecting a
contested estate, disguised him with
these rustic occupations resolved to at
tach himself 10 regular studies, aod lit
erary accAoty, he sold MS farms, and be-
cane the Inost learned an1iquary and
iawrac
Cc.yCct, the famous French minister.
almost at SIXTY, returned 10 his Latin
and law studies.
Teller, the Chancellor Of France.
learned logic, merely for an amuse-
ment, to dispute with his grandchildren.
DR.. Johnson applied himself to the
Dutca language bnt a few years before
his death. The Marquis de Saint Au-
laire, at the age of seventy, began to
court the muses., and they crowned him
with their freshest flowers. The YER
ses Of this French Anacreon are full of
fire, deiicacy, and sweetness.
Chaucer's Canterbury Tales were
the composition OF his latest years they
were begun in his fifty fourth year, and
finished III his sixty-hrst.
Ludoylco Moualdesco, at the extra
ordinary age of ll5, wrote the memoiss
OF his times. A singular exertion, no
tlced by Voltaire, who, himself, is enc
OF the mos remarkable lnsi noes of the
progress Oh age m new studies.
The most delightful Of auto-biogra-
phies tor artists, is that of Benvenuto
Ceii.nI; a work Of great originality,
which was not begun till ''the clock of
his age had struck tifty-eight.''
koornhert began at forty 10 learn the
Latin d ID Greek languages, of which he
became master; several students, who
afterwards distinguished themselves.
have commenced as late in life their lit
erary pursuits. Ogllby, the translator
Of Homer and Virgil, knew little of
Latin or Greek till he was past fifty;
and Franklin's philosophical pursuits be-
gan when he had nearly reached his
tiltieln year,
d. 3en's complete works form the
largest body of poetry from the pen of
one writer in the English language, yet
he we no public testimony ofpo etical
Abilities Till his twenty-seventh year.
In bis sixty-eighth ne proposed to trans
late the whole lIiad, and his most pleas
ing productions were written in his old
age.
Michael Angelo preserved his Gre
alive genius even in his extreme old
age thece is a device said to be inyen-
ted by him, CT an old man represented
in go-cGrt, with an hour-glass upon it /;
the inscription .4ncora imparo YET i
an LEARNING
FROM THE N. Y. EVENING POST.
GENERAL BoLIvAR.-Simon Bolivar was
born at Caracas in the wear 1877 81 =