The herald., 1896-05-25
Learning How to Live

Chauncey NJ. Depew, who recently
celebrated his 63d birthday, gives ut
terance to q testimony which is full or
announcement to those persons who
have passed beyond the boundary Of
middle life The famous New Yorker
finds that he is able now to do more
work and better work than at any other
time in his life, and with less worry ana
fatigue; that he is physically ana mem
tally stronger at GO than when ne was
much younger, and less liable 10 those
dscomforts and Interruptions Wh1cn are
caused by temporary arrangements or
the system.
This is highly reasonable and logical
statement 1t simply confirms the prop
osition that experience is worth more 20
a man than any other means OF knowl-
edge, and that wise use ana conserVa-
ton of physical and intellectual force
rivals in it's power for usefulness the
boosted vigor of youth and early man
hood Under normal conditions OF Ire
all that a man loses at 90 1S energy ana
enthusiasm and without judgment eth
er of these qualities may become fruit-
full agency of harm. But he gains
much which offsets the loss of natural
force. He learns how to use his faculties
to the best advantage; he masters the
all-important art of adapting his talents
to the uses for which they are best Ut
ted: he curtails the waste of time and
energy which is incident to the prod1gai-
ity of youth; the accommodating years
bring to him better understanding OF
his moral resources and disclose to MIN
a wiser plan for their employment.
The reflective side of mans nature is
developed by age and Its cultivation
promotes composure and peace of mind.
This exerts a wholesome influence on
the physical organism, which Is always
injured by the worry and regret which
r.1c aynnriDlantS The golden
fruits of mental and moral discipline DO
not ripen until we'll beyond middle life.
1t is when they are fully developed that
existence is the most desirable; it is
then that the boon of life can be made
most serviceable to the possessor and to
the world. AS reason comes more anu
more to dominate impulse and passion.
and foolish ambitions and inclinationS
are brought under subsection to a tenn
perate and intelligent plan of life, the
mind takes Il tirmer grasp on the real
meaning of the human scheme, and the
body is ruled by forces which preserve
and strengthen it.
Well past three score years. nobody
thinks of Chauncey NJ Depew as an old
man. 1t would be impossible to think Of
a more desirable lot in life than his.
There is no avenue of enjoyment which
is not open to him. His name is almost
II synonym for good fortune. He is
bodiment of sprightly wit and happy
humor. His opinions are sought for the
light which they throw on subjects Of
a profounder import than the pleasant
ries of life. There are few figures in the
nation more conspicuous or more pop
ular than he. There is no thought thai
his day has passed or that his star has
begun to Wane. In the abundant enjoy
ment of influence, of prosperity, of Wig
or of body and mind. of the admiration
of the public. he veIfies the claim that,
at 63, he is at the very zenith of his ca
reer.
The art of living is like everything
else-it must be learned. And the man
who applies himself to this chief lesson
studiously, and with a proper under
standing Of its tremendous significance
will find that with the failure of those
precious gifts which youth bestows come
those substantial compensations which
cannot be earned save through the pro-
cesses of toilsome experience. 1t is Of
ten said that men do not learn how to
live until they are ready TO die, but there
is no knowledge pertaining to the great
mystery of human life and death which
is not profitable in the world that now
Is, even without reckoning upon the
world which Is to come.-Kansas City
Star.