The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-12

PRYcEPrs FOR YoryG MEx. BY AN Ocrs.
GESARIAy.-On the score of age have no
modesty at all, and do not scrupie 10 acknow.
ledge that was eighty years old on the 18th Of
February last. VI course am sIiShtly deafs
and my sight is a little dim, my walk Is feeble,
and my grandchildren joke me because can.
not hear the prattle of their lisping tongues.
But my tongue is still free enough, and,
get all who have wronged and injured me, I
have u perfect memory still for every kind
word every generous act, every happy mo.
ment, which has thrown JOY upon my life.
1t would be useless for me 10 speak Of the
old Revolution, the war of lsl7, or the fiery
enthusiasm of the war with Mexico, for have
we not in our memories the pains and sorrows
of n later and more terrible struggle, ended
now in disappointment, humiliation, and de-
feat7 Old times are sadly altered, and in
speech and dress and manner there have been
so many changes that my head fairly turns
as erdeayor 10 record them but whether in
pig tails and furbelows, or broadcloth and
braided tresses, human nature is pretty much
the same. When was young, training and
hard work were indispensable TO success, but
now we are all born Presidents, Generals,
Poets and Statesmen. The young men OF the
day are wise in their generation; they have ex-
hausted the well Of knowledge, and, If you
will but believe them, you will come TO the
conclusion that If there is one thing which
they do uuderst stand, il is the nature, habits and
instincts of woman. All! me, the world was
not so wise In Iny young days, and women then
were always loved, honored, and respected.
The young men say they lore them now but
how al bout the respect and honor, my children
One stripping, with the faint down Of adoles-
cence yet upon his lips. says that he has studied
the .sladies''-saye the mark He may have
done this, for, my word for IL, he mas NOT
sarcasm, will not do, II we wish 10 see this
dear old State again the mother of warriors
and statesmen. Think of George Washington,
Monroe, Jefferson, or Madison, at fifteen years
III, chnr In in
nonsense, making morning calls, leaving en-.
amelled cards with the ginning servant,
swinging tiny canes, ana signing ior the
ladies', Why, the mothers OF the venerable
dead would have birched them soundly If they
had dared 10 think OF such n thing; but then
those noble mothers were not so wise as the
mothers and sons Of this progressive age.
Of one thing am certain, and that Is, mat
n mans true character can be always truly
OWNED from the manner in which hr behaves
when In the society Of gentle, loving women.
Those who are boys now will become fathers,
and perhaps grandfathers, II they don't
kill themselves prematurely by smoking bad
cigars or die of inantion and II Is one OF my
last desires 10 see these young men appreciate
the high and noble work that lies before them.
Let them think Of what Virginia has been,
and hat htv are the yirginians VINO in the
future must make her n name among nations,
or else by-word and reproach. Ii thpy Will
but give up affectation, and REMEMBER that
their mothers and sisters are COnen, there 10
still more hope left want TO see the boys
all happily married, and If they will allow
me, and not laugh at the old timey ways OF the
old man, will teach them the way TO matr-
mony in a few short and easy lessons.
Prscept LIN all that you say and do con-
cerning ladies, be honest and sincere' They
can tell the ring of truth, and they like II
better than the ring of gold, to which II usually
leads Never mind about smooth words and
rounded periods only be sincere, and you are
sure Of respect and friendship, If you cannot
always obtain lore.
Precept 2.-Do not make a lady contemplate
in her own eyes by overwhelming her with
fattery and panegyric. Too much honey Will
kill the stoutest fly, and confidence and regard,
which flourish best in adversely, are easily
killed by an excess of sweet talk. A woman
of sense knows her own value, and you can
best show that you appreciate the purity OF
her mind and the brightness Of her intellect by
being pure and bright yourself. compi-
ment implied is far more forcible than one
expressed; and If you wish TO fiatter lady,
/ let IL be by actions rather than by Dords.
| cannot get accustomed TO this new tangled
| kerosene, or petroline, or whatever IL 10; per-
haps because my sense of the unpleasant is
keener than that of the men Of 1855 and now
/ the lightwood burning cheerily In the wide
old chimney, or else, maybe, the memory OF
that dear wife, that true helpmeet, over
whose last resting place the yioleIs bloom, has
| filled these eyes with tears. At this moment
! can write no more. l do not say farewell,
but only kind good night