Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1839-04-04
From tie Boston, Caristian Register.


ness than when manifested in respect for
the virtues, and compassion for the failings
Of old age. Other manifestations Of SEM
sibnity are often accompanied with cold
ness Of heart and feeling. One will often
weep over the pages Of a fictitious narra-
tive, who will witness unmoved the sever
est domestic sorrows. The hero uf roe
nance will receive all the sympaihies Of
many who can pass by the victims Of EARTH
saddest calami,ies, without stopping to re-
lieve. Many will look wih deligh. upon
the smiling face of infancy, and will ex-
press in captures their love for the little
one, which will in vain plead for their
sympathy, where its face il dis6gured by
the pains Of sickness. The poor bird,
wounded by the thoughtless sportsman, as
he fiutters by the window, will cause the
tears to start from her eye. who can I'LL
dulge in the chickering's which make home
miserable, and can suffer husband to wan-
der abroad reckless and Discontinued, to
seek in dissipation aud ruth relief from
home grief 4.r
Various are the forms in which exquisite
sensibility may thus be displayed, indica-
ting not tender heart but } sickly imagi-
nation. But sympathy with the old and
Infirm is almost invariably "a mark of the
tenderest and most considerate heart. The
hero of fiction, the smiling infant and the
! fiutIering bird have delightful associations to
please the imagination, and they call for no
exercise of sympathy which demands either
patience or self-sacri6ce. Bot the heart
which feels for the -scd can often find
in their situation but few OF thUse cir-
.cumstances, which are SO grateful to the
taste and imagination, and often must DO
willing to sacrifice lis own pleasure and
seek, at times with almos, painful indus
try, means to comfort aAd cheer the object
of its solicitude. But Il is willing and glad
10 bear any disappointment, If only it can
accomplish its purpose of mercy. Neither
is it always unsuccessful in its endeavors.
True we sometimes find in The old peev-
shness and fretiuIness which no attention
can overcome but such is not always tho
case. I know venerable old man who
lives in one of our small country towns,
who has often excited my surprise by the
perfect resignation and submission will,
which he meets every event. Called
lately to part with dear grandchild, he
could control his feelings and comfort the
grieving parents, and now he lives, ready
10 20 when his Maker calls for him, but
seeking while alive by the discharge Of ma
nv duties to make his life Of service 10
those around him.
But suppose that the old are often for
getful and childish. What then7 Because
The hand of their Creator 10 resting upon
them and gradually drawing them towards
himself, are we to be impa,ientf We call
them forgetfuI. Perhaps their minds arc
visiting in anticipation the heaven to which
they are Fastening. And il So. well may
they forget the present scenes and cares oi
earth. Or we call them childish, and per-
haps they are revisiting the days aud joys
Of childhood, their minds may be rejoicing
auew in the sports and ,houghilessness OF
youth. They may have become children
again, for we all know that the mind when
weak and unobservant OF present things
still has a vivid recollection Of tho pas,
and shall we wonder apd be impatient, be-
cause when recalled from their dreams OIL
happiness to consciousness Of their pres.
emf helplessness. they manifest the disap.
pointment Of children ,........
No one o: the many beautiful traits
which distinguished that noble man, the
late Secretary Of the Commonwealth. wal
more marked or more beautiful than hi.
unvarying respect tor the aged. He loved
to be with them, to converse with .hem, ID
listen 10 their tales Of by-gone times, anc
by kindness TO sooths their sorrows and re-
vive their joys. And whena good Prov
dence in his wisdom saw ilt to remove hin'
many an eye. already dimmed by age
was made more dim.
| We who are young can in no way mor'
6tly manifest our gratitude TO the Au,ho
Of our being, than by seeking uniformly 4,
comfort and crafty the aged. Their tim,
with us 10 but short. Shall It be mad
drcary by neglect 7 II. ii. J.