Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-07-11
YOUTH AND OLD AGE.
NJ | s G Z L L A N Y.

"There is an old age of the heart which is
possessed by many that have no suspicion that
they have anything old about them and there
is youth which never grows old, love who
is ever boy, Psyche who is ever girl
Thus and very truthfully writes somebody. 1t |
would be meet reward for a life well spent, |
if, in old age, one could feel that the springs
Of youth were still fresh and pure within his
heart Two things are necessary 10 this youth
of heart which makes it rare of attainment
One is the calm government of the passions
the other is a spirit of love and benevolence.
1t is life of sefshness that makes old age
unovely. If all that is fierce, hard, unjust
imperious, envous and covetous within us, is
allowed undated influence, the fountain of
warm emotion and generous impulse which
make the faith, earnestness and simplicity of
charming youth, is soon choked up by dry dust
and sand. The man who is passionate, susp-
cious, subtle gain, jealous and irritable, need
not expect to drink Of the tabled fountain after
which the Spaniards sought. The sunlight of
contentment plays over its waters, the shadow
of the olive tree of peace rises around it, the
birds of innocence drink at its brim and MARBLE
in its branches above, and the heaven of love
bends over it. 1t is not for it that the mass of
men are striving. They prefer to drink the
salt waters OF greed, which fever and wiiher
their powers, and bring on premature decay.
Men have no time nowadays to rest by the
fountain of youth, They hurry-hurry-hu
ry by its cool and inviting, but too humble val
ley, for the glittering mirage which promises
them splendid land in the future. where they
can quaff the wine of luxury and self-indul-
gence. They waste the morning life that they
may live to excess through its afternoon. They
are fortunate if they do not find their powers 10
enjoy selfish pleasures greatly exhausted before
they end their race if, indeed, the mirage does
not delude them entirely.
Women are in manner projected from the
excitements and inducements of this thirst for
gain, and when they have cold and wihered
hearts, i, is sad indeed. A beautiful female
with the rose on her cheek, and the light Of
girlhood in her e, yet with dupicty of sci
fshness in her soul, is pliabe sight, for she
is already old. We have seen them with the
skill and GOODNESS of practised fnanciers, calcu
lating upon the chances for wealthy husbands
and going To the altar with bosoms of outward
beauty, which should have been full of tenje
and glowing feeling, filled with thoughts o
worldly mph-enduring the presence o
their lords to whom they pledged their own
because they bought them gifts of furniture
jewels and silken lrappings. These are III,
tragedies of life. Not that the actors them
selves so regarded them hut the angels lean
ing from heaven to smile upon the earthly nup
tias of the young and fair drew back in gre
and alarm,
"And the angels, all paid and wan,
Uprising, unwilling, affirm
that there is no more melancholy drama eve
played, than when youth and beauty barter il
gifts for gold,
canker which preys rapidly, and brings o.
old age of the heart, is envy-a disease Il
which the ieInenine nature is somewhat prom
envy of the rank, the loveliucss, the portion
the grace, or the sunny temper Of others, AM
in vain repining because all is not theirs O
luxury that might be.
The truly wonany character has too mucl
sweetness, generosity and mobility ever to fal
victim 10 this disease. Such character bad
ly stands IN need Of pleasures which others GOV
ct, for in It's own cEeeriulness its love of doinl
KIND deeds, and speaking pleasant words, lis in
noeont delight in the good and beautiful, its in
'ereS' in the happiness of thuse by whom it i
surrounded, il finds that exercise of its spiri,u
al qualities which keeps it from ennu or dis
content.
Another thing which endangers youth O
heart is an excess of pride and selfiovs. Thi
klhd Ut hanghiiness is like the frost that coma
IN June, aud kills the delicate bloom and with
efs tue precious perfumes of summer A gal
den bIackened by chilly blight is not NOR
dreary than breast in which tho caldness {
pride forever d~ells.
Thus there may be real old age Of spir