Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-03-09
History Teaching by Example.

Men. when not insensate by evil pas
sions and evil habits, with whatever cares
they may be oppressed, naturally look
forward, in every variety OF sltuatlon
and circumstances, to the probability OF
their entering into the vale OF years with
chastened feelings and matrred expee-
rieuce Longevity is not only desired,
but desirable, if sought after in the true
spirit of medical philosophy and OF reli-
gious morality. The virtues OF old age
seem to exhibit human nature IN Its cui-
mination; they carry with them at once
the most eloquent precept and impress
siye example. Alexander, of Macedon,
when he approached Jerusalem, in all
the exultation of victory over Darius,
and fully intending to give the city up
TO plunder, could not refrain from pros
trating himself before the Jewish high
Priest, and thus worshiping the Deity IN
the venerable person of his aged minister.
The Roman Senate, waverlng as 10 tne
manner in which they should receive the
propositions of Pyrrhus for peace ana
divided rule in Italy, were only called
back to sense of their dignity and i'm
pelled to the proud determination never
20 accept terms from an enemy, by the
Jealous counsel of Appius Claudius, who,
though old, infirm and blind, was reused
by the emergency, and had himself car
ried TO the Senate house, where he spake
an as oracle in predicting Rome's future
greatness IN -
Dandolo, "Blind old Dandolo," was
eiphty-four years of age when he was
made Doge of Venice; but, his ardor
nothing cooled nor courage daunted BY
difficulties and danger, he led the Cru
saders, when detained at Constantinople,
to an attack and storming OF that city,
and was the first to plant the standard
of ST. Mark on its walls. Who, in the
breaking out Of the French Revolution
of 1880, which placed Louis Philippe on
the throne, did not see in the prolonged
life of the consistent Lafayette the his
tory of Liberty for the preceding fifty
wears? Who did not feel that the tri-
vmph of liberty was more complete
when he, the representative OF its suffer-
ings in the times of revolutionary an
arebv and imperial rule, was, by national
acclaim. at length hailed as its patriarch
aud the depository of its charter? Con-
trast him wirh the great bad man, his
compatriot, Mirabeau. The latter had
mind of the highest order, and eloquence
the most commanding and impressive,
but his commentary on national liberty
was personal licentiousness, which led to
a premature death-the direct effect OF
the grossest RIGHTEOUSNESS and of contin-
ued neglect of those laws of hygiene on
which longevity so much depends.
Had Pitt and Fox, the two great rivals
for fame and Office, been animated by q
truly patriotic ambition, they would have
husbanded their health and mental vigor
by a life of sobriety and temper
ance. so as to insure for themselves
the longest span of years for the
serving Of their country. History would
not have had to tell of Pitt dying OF gont
and wine, in the most critical period OF
the long war with France, at the age OF
al; and of Fox soon following him, worn
down by diseases, the effects of riotous
| living and excesses Of all kinds. A lease
| of less than ten years added to the life OF
| Pitt would have won for him the title,
prematurely given by admiring friends
and followers, of " the pilot that wealth
cred the storm" He would have APP
peared as the representative of England
at the great Congress of soyereigns and
diplomatists in 1915, who re-made the
map of Europe. Fox, after struggling
for many years to win the post OF Prime
Minister, received at last, and grudgiDgly,
from the King the seals of office; but the
Gift came too late To him it WAS merely
as the viaticum to dying man. He sur
yived his new honor but lew months.
He had squandered his health and manly
yieor and great intele,t in riotous living
and excuses of every kind and he died
bankrupt in services to his country,
which SO much needed them in that time
Of her sore trial five were in search OF
name to point moral, 1t would be
Sheridan, the great orator and brilliant
dramatist and wit, but wasting hls health
and energies in dissipations and orgies
which lost him the support Of his party
and the confidence of the nation, and LED
him TO a pauper's death, unhonored Al
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