The North-Carolina standard., 1837-07-03

ely FeFlleS the aQdge "Dettef late than |
never" we extract from the Daily Times.
PROGRESS OF OLD AGE IN NEW STU
D1Es.-"Yet I am learning" The old
tall not to cherish an affection and feel
youthful enthusiasm in the cultivation of
the arts, sciences, and literature. Time
never abates the growing passion for these
pursuits when all others have ceased to
interest. DR.. Reid, to his last dax, re-
tanned most active curiosity in his fried
studies. Socrates learnt to play on musi-
cal instruments in his old age. Cato, at
eighty, thought proper to learn Greek
and Plutarch, almost as late in life, Latin.
Theophrastus began his admirable work
on the characters of Men, at the extreme
age of ninety. Peter Rousard, one of the
fathers of French poetry. applied himself
late to study, and finally rivalled those
poetic models which he admired; and
Boccacio was thirty five years old, when
he commenced his studies in polite itera-
ture: ArnauId, at eighty-two, displayed
all the vigor Of genius, and was then cal
led "the great Arnauld." Neglecting
the sciences in his youth, Sir Henry Spell
man cultivated them at the age of fifty
years, and became most learned anti
quarry and lawyer. Colbert, the famous
French minister, studied Latin and law
at sixty; and Teller, the chancellor of
France, learned logic to dispute with his
grand children. A few years be fore his
death, DR.. Johnson applied himself to the
Dutch language. The marquis de Saint
Aulaire, at seventy, began to court the
muses.; and they crowned him with their
| freshest flowers. Indeed, the verses of
this French Anacreon are full of fire, de-
licacy, and sweetness. The composition
of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales was COM
menced in his fiNy-fourth year, and finish
ed in his xty-frst.-Ludovico Monaldes-
ca, at the extraordinary age Of one hum-
dred and fifteen, wrote the memoirs of
his times. Koornhest began at forty to
learn Latin and Greek, of which he be-
came master; and several students, who
afterwards distinguished themselves, COM
menced as late their literary pursuits.
Ogilby, the translator of Homer and Vir-
gil, knew little of Latin or Greek, till he
was past fifty; and our Franklin's philo-
sophical pursuits commenced when he
had nearly reached his fiftieth year. The
Ieminent lawyer, Accorso, being asked
twhy he entered upon the law so late. an.
wered, that indeed he began it late but
should master it the sooner. Dryden
gave no public testimony OF his poeticaI
abilities till his twenty-seventh year. lr
his sixty-eight year he proposed to tran
slate the whole Illiad; and his most pleas
ing productions were written in his ole
lage. Michael Angelo preserved his crea
tive genius to the close of his life. The
reader may have seen copy of the de
vice, invented by him, of an old man ir
fla go-cart. with an hour glass upon it
and this incription: "Aacor@ impora =
i "Yet am learning"
Louisville, Cincinnati and Charlesto,
Rail Road.-We are sorry to learn tha
Major M'NE1LL, the Chief Engineer O,
this road, was so seriousl y injured lately
/ by fall, while engaged in exploring tn,
country between Columbia and the noun
!. ltains, as to have been confined to his room
for one or two weeks past, unable to NOV,
except on crutches. He reached this cit,
a few days since, where he has had tn,
ablest medical aid, and is now so far re
covered, that it is expected he will be abl
= in day or two, to take his departure 70
the mountains, to resume his labors in tn
field. After making the necessary ar
rangements at Flat Rock, for vigorou
;, prosecution of the surveys now in pro
! gress, Major M MNE1LL, we are informed
will proceed to make careful explora
f ,ion of all the routes on the proposed line
at least as far as Lexington, in Kentucky
t so as to be able to make a report, embody
e ing the results of the surveys and all tn
e information obtained, to the meeting of tn
d Stockholders, to he held at Flat Rock OF
: 1.-The third Monday in October.
Charleston Courier.
Good proof for Modern Whigs.-Th