Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1895-04-06
ANEcDorAL LITERATURE.
Gathered and Compiled by w. @.
INTELLECTUAL CULTIVATION IN OLD
AGE.

The human mind is gifted with the
power of progression, while retro
gression is characteristic of the
body; and yet, though the inroads
of disease, or the feebleness of sensi-
bility, may, to some extent, or in
some cases, fetter the powers of the
mind and obscure its brightness, the
fact remains that intellect is fire.
quently retained in its pristine Wig
or by those advanced in years. The
following examples prove this posi-
ton and should act as stimulus to
those who, in early life, have neg
lected mental improvement, to at
tend to it even in middle life or old
age.-Compiler.
Socrates learned to play on musi-
cal instruments in his old age.
Cato, at the advanced age of so,
thought proper to learn Greek.
Plu.arch, at three score and ten,
began the study of Latin.
Theophrastus began his admirable
work on the character Of Man, at
the extreme age of 80.
Boccaccia was 35 when he COM
menced his studies in polite litera.
ture.
The great Arnauld translated JOS
ephs excellently when 80 years old,
and at SO was still the great Arm
auld.
Sir Henry Spelman neglected the
sciences in his youth and early man
hood, which he spent mainly in rus
tic occupations. At so he resolved
to attach himself to regular studies
and literary society. He sold his
farm and became the most learned
antiquary and lawyer.
Teller, the chancellor OF France,
learned logic late in life merely as an
amusement to dispute with his
grandchildren.
DR.. Johnson applied himself to the
Dutch language but few years be.
fore his death. At Is, when stag
gering under an immediate attack of
paralysis, he composed Latin pray
err, in order to test the loss or reten-
tion of his mental faculties.
The Marquis de st. Aulaire, at the
age of 10 began to court the MUSES.,
and they crowned him with their
freshest and sweetest flowers. The
verses of this French Anacreon are
full of fire, delicacy and sweetness.
Chaucer began his Canterbury
Tales when 81, and finished them
at 81.
Ludoyico Monaldesco wrote the
memoirs of his times at lis.
Koonhart began at 40 TO learn the
Latin and Greek Languages, of which
be became master.
Ogilby, the translator of Homer
and Virgil, knew little of Latin or
Greek till he was past SO.
Franklin's philosophical pursuits
began when he was nearly so years
old.
Accorso, a great lawyer, being
asked why he began the study of the
law so late, answered that he might
master it the sooner.
Dryden's complete works form the
largest body of poetry from the pen
of one writer in the English Ian.
guage; yet he gave no public testi-
mony of poetical abilities till his 9th
year. In bis 68th year be proposed
to translate the whole Iliad. His
most pleasing productions were
written in his old age.
Michael Angelo preserved his Gre
alive genius even to extreme old age.
There is device, said 10 have been
invented by him, of an old man rep
resented in a go cart, with an hour
glass upon it, with the inscription.
Ancora imparal-Yet am learning.
Sir ChristopherWren retired from
public life at S6; and after that he
spent five years in literary, astro-
nomical and religious engagements.
Isaac Walton still glowed while
writing some of the most interesting
biographies when 85; and when 80
he enriched the poetical world with
the first publication of romantic
tale by Chalkhill, athe friend Of
Cnancer