New-York tribune., 1908-06-01
THE AGE OF MENTAL FERTILITY.


About three years ago Dr. William Osler. then
of Baltimore made in an address to students
in Johns Hopkins University a remark which
crea ted something of a stir when it reached the
public An opinion was expressed regarding
the age ct which a mans usefulness to the
world ceases. One version of the utteranCe put
the limit at forty years. The statement was
probably intended to be taken loosely, but
when it obtained publicity many persons fan
cied that the author really favored chloroform-
ing persons over that age, and it became the
subject of much severe criticism. A number
of exceptions 10 what the Baltimore physician
was credited with laying down as general
rule could he brought to mind in few minutes
by person ordinarily we'll informed Be-
sides, quite independently of what DR.. Osler
may have said thought, the topic was one
of large popular interest, and the essential point
at issue was which an appeal to history
would naturally throw light. Among those who
were thus inspired to consult the biographies of
soldiers and statesmen, philosophers and poets
artists and composers and of other distinguished
contributors TO the worlds progress were Pro
fessor W. A. n. Dorand, of the University of
Pennsylvania, and Mr. z. B. Simmons The
former gave the results of his investigation in
The Century Magazine" for last April, and the
latter does so in the current ''Munsey's"
The two writer's attack the question in diff
ferent ways, but their conclusions are in sub
stantial agreement. DR.. Dorland examined the
records CT no fewer than four hundred workers
and thinkers, and has so anayzed the facts
at his disposal as to be enabled to make some
suggestive revelations. He finds that the ca
reers of usefulness which he examined began at
the average age Of twenty-four and had an
average dura ton of forty years. Thus is effect
ually refuted the supposition that mental initia-
ire at n A
rate inference is that 1t will probably last until
siIty-four. Every student Of statistics knows
however, that an average hides many diverse
and instructive details DR.. Dorland recog-
niZes this truth. for he enumerates seventy
three cases in which notable work was per-
formed between the ages Of seventy and one
hundred. The argument is greatly strength
ened by Mr.. Simmons, who, on the assumption
that DIR. Oser had placed the limit of helpful
service further along than forty years. considers
only Great Achievements of Men Over Sixty"
Here are few of the Instances cited: Won
Moltke was Germanys chief strategist In the
war with France at the age of seventy. Biiicher
reinforced Wellington at Waterloo when he was
| seventy three, and Dandolo storrned Constan-
tinople when he was ninety Lord Palmer
ston died in harness at eighty one. and Glad
stones ministerial duty was continued until
eightyfour Lamarck. pioneer In the field
of organic evolution, finished his Natural His
tory when seventy seven years of age, and
Newton. who OWNED the principle of gravita-
ton when sixty. still at work at eighty
four. Goethe completed the second part of
Faust at eighty two. Humboldt began his
"Kosmns' at seventy-fve and ended il Just be-
fore his death. at ninety. When Verdfs "FaI-
staff appeared he was already IN octose-
marian. and he kept on composing for FIVE years
more The plague put end to Titians use
of the brush only after he had entered on his
hundredth year!
Here is record which any one may verify
for himself. but for the lahorious research
which the performance of their tasks involved
DR.. Dorland and Mr.. Simmons will have the
gratitude of those who took DR.. Osler seriously
and perhaps by many other persons also. To
the pleasing array of facts which their in
quries have elected several causes. no doubt.
have contributed. Longevity, health. enthu-