Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-08-16
from the Knickerbock
THE EVENING OF LIFE.
Ey PIENriss MELLEN.

WHEN the summer of youth is slowly
wasting away into the nlghtIall of age, and
the shadows of past years grow deeper and
deeper, % life wears 10 It's close, 1t is pleasant
To look back, through the vista of time, upon
the sorrows and lelicitics of our earlier years.
l. we have home to shelter, and hearts to
rejoice with us, and friends have been gath
cred together around our freSnes, then the
rough places of our waylaring will have been
worn and smoothcd away, IN the twilight oi
lie, while the sunny sports We have passed
through, will grow brighter and more beauti
iul. Happy indeed ere they ; whose inter
course with the world has not changed the
tone Of their holier feelings, or broken those
musical chords of the heart whose vibrations
are so melodious, so tender and touching in
the evening ofagc.
In our early days, VIC arc con-
stantly extending our upward view to the
elevated landscapes spread out before u.s.
Our ambition Is continually prompting US to
ascend I'LL we reach them, and JOIN the hap
py mnltitudes who possess and enjoy them.
In this prospective and distant view, we per-
ccivc unnumbercd charms, but we have no
distinct vision OF the scene beyond. In pro-
cess Of time, IN various paths, we advance,
ton to be less than we had imagined: and as
soon as we arrive at the summit, we see tha,
the plain is not so extensive as we had sup
posed and find that the ground soon be-
comes gradually descending to the shadowy
vale of years. To this vale, our view is nov
more particularly to be directed, and to the
search for those avenues which may be the
most smooth, peaceful, and pleasant.
We are now To consider ourselves as hav-
ing arrived at the stage Of our earthly jour
ncy. from which the place of its termination
becomes every ycar more and more distinct.
ly disccrnblc. We perceive n gradual
change in the climate, and an autumnal cool
ness IN the air, as VIC advance: the yerdurc
has lost much of ts freshness; and the fading
colors around us remind us that we are in the
n,igbborhood Of lfc's sober twilight,and soil
tudc. and decay. Such, ut least, is the pros
pect To the general observer, and such arc
the reasoning and the conclusions which arc
constantly commanding our attention. Such
scenes as these are OF an instructive charac.
ter. They call IN our remembrance the fiat
terirs of the world, and its thousand broken
promises, and teach us to depend for our con.
teIfment and happiness upon other sources
than III, So which satisfied our desires in the
days ol the hearts sunshine. while indulginp
IN Ire prIdo of health and prospect. We
must search for these sources, and secure a
supply ilom them. Their waters may not be
go sosparkllng a. those We loved in former years,
bot they are more salubtious and COMPOSING
The holidays of The heart may not be 20 gay
and ioyoos, be-, is seasons vi Thanksgiving
will be eom aud peaceful.
Old friends ere like old wine more pure
more loved. and more medic inal, than new
a faithful friend ~ tlt mcdicine or life and
when experience " added ,o hdeliiy.sn much
the better Gn INTO the family circle, and
see the venerable heads nj ~ whose hands
and heats have been joined for half con
tury. They have tecome scqualnlod with