The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-09-12
NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN.

We extract the following from an article which ap-
peared months since in the Portland Orion which
forcibly illustrates, by reference welau.hen,ica,ed
facts, the principle that IS too old 10 learn
Socrates at an extreme old age, learn, to play on
musical instruments This would look ridiculous for
some Of the rich old men in city, especially If they
should take it into their heads to thrum guitar under
ladys window, which Socrates did not do, but only
learnt to play instrument Of his time not guitar
for the purpose Of resisting the wear and tear Of old
age.
Cato at eighty years of age thought proper to learn
the Greek language Many Of our young men at thirty
and forty have forgotten the alphabet Of language
the knowledge Of which necessary enter college,
and which made daily exercise through college.
fine comment upon their love Of letters, truly.
Plutarch, when between seventy and eighty. COM
menced the study Of the Latin. Many Of our Young
lawyers not thirty years Of age, think that miss prus
facias, &C., English expressions and if you
tell them that knowledge Of the Latin would make
them appear little respectable in their profess
son. they will reply that they are FOO old to think Of
learning Latin .g."a
Boceaeio, was thirty five years old, when he COM
menced his studies in polite literature Yet he became
Of the three masters Of the Tuscan dialect Dante
and Perarca being the other two There are many
among ten years younger than Boccacio who
dying OF enRu and regret chat they not educated
taste for literature but n,w they are TOO old.
Sir Henry Speln,an neglected the sciences in his
yeath but commenced the study Of them when be was
he became The most learned antiquarian and lawyer
Our yenng begin 70 think laying their seniors
the shelf when they have reached sixty years Of age.
How different the present estimate put upon experience
from that which characterzeda cetian period Of tho
Grecan republic, when man was not allowed to open
his mouth in caucusses political meetings who wac
under forty years OF age ~ f ......'e
Colbert the famous French minister at sixty years Of
ago returned To- his Latin and law studies How many
OF our COLLEGE learnt mer have ever looked into their
gh~te tr.rf y.
Dr. Johnston applied himself to- the Dutch language
but fow.yesrs before his death Nest Of our mcr-
chants,and lawyers of twenty-five, thirty, and forty
years Of age obliged 10 apply tescher to trans
late business letter writenia 4e French language
which might be learnt in the tenth part a the time re-
CURED for the study Of the Dutch-and all because
they are too old TO learn.
Ludorco Monaldesco atthe great sge Of one hundred
and fifteen, wrote the memoirs of his own times a
singular exertion potifed by Voltsre, who was himself
one Of the most remarkable instances Oh tho progress
OF age in new studies." .~S
Og,lby the translator Of Homer and Virgil was I'M
acquainted with che Latin and Greek till he was past
fifty
Franklin did not fully commence his philosophical
pursuits till he had reached his fitch year. How
many among Of thirty, forty, and fifty who read no.
thing but newspapers for the want Of taste for natural
PHILOSOPHY! But they sro 100 old 10 learn.
Aecorso, a great lawyer, being asked why he began
the study OF law late, answered that indeed, he be-
gan late but he should therefore master the sooner
This agrees with theory that healthy old age gives
man the power Of accomplishing difficult study IN
much less time than would be necessary to one OF nall
his years. ...
Dryden, in his sixy-eightb year, commenced the
translation Of the Had and his most pleasing produc-
tons were written in his old age:
We could 90 and cite thousandsof examples OF men
who comm enced new study, and struck out into an
entirely new pursuit, either for livelihood or amuse-
meet at advanced age But every one familiar with
the biography Of distinguished men wiz recolect indi-
dual cases enough to convince him that none but the
sick and indolent win say, am TOO old 10 study.