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Article ON LONGEVITY. ← Page 5 of 5 Article THOUGHTS ON THE NEW-YEAR; AND ON THE VICISSITUDES OF LIFE. Page 1 of 3 →
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On Longevity.
of long life , which seems to dispose it to preserve its existence in every situation : yet this capacity does not always protect it from premature destruction ; for among the old people whom I examined , I scarcely met with one who had not lost brothers or sisters , in earlier or middle life , and wiio were born under circumstances equally favourable to longevity with themselves .
Thoughts On The New-Year; And On The Vicissitudes Of Life.
THOUGHTS ON THE NEW-YEAR ; AND ON THE VICISSITUDES OF LIFE .
IN A VISION . THE close of the old and commencement of the New Year , is a season , in which most people unbend their . minds from a severe attention to their several employments and professionsand
in-, dulge themselves in social enjoyment and festivity . And this gratification , when conducted with proper decorum and regularity , is neither irrational nor unmanly . It must , however , be allowed hi ghly reasonable to preserve our cheerfulness under , proper restraints , by mingling with it serious reflections on the uncertainty of earthly enjoyments , and the frailty of human nature . To those who are disposed
to pursue such reflections , the following vision will , perhaps , not be disagreeable . Methought I was traversing an opulent city . On all sides mirth and gaiety seemed to reign . I soon caught the general joy , and wandered with pleasure and delight from one circle to another ; and beinc desirous to know the cause of all this apparent satisfaction , was informed by one whom I asked , that it was the commencement of a New Year , which it was customary to usher in with such
demonstrations ofjoy . Having for some time wandered in this pleasing crofv-d , I at length arrived at a private walk , where every one I met carried in his appearance something which commanded respect . I had not o-one far before I was accosted by a venerable personage . " My son , " says he , " your cheerful countenance discovers the gladness of your heart ; and I am at no loss to guess the cause . " 1 replied , ' " Venerable
• father , you are not deceived ; and my disposition must be unfriendly indeed , couldl observe so much cheerfulness among my fellow-creatures without partaking of their happiness . " He -replied ,. " Your reasoning is just ; nor would 1 attempt to deprive you of your present satisfaction . My . name is Experience , and this walk Contemplation . If you will resign yourself to my guidance , I will teach you properly to wei g h terrestrial happiness . " I readily accepted his offer , allured
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
On Longevity.
of long life , which seems to dispose it to preserve its existence in every situation : yet this capacity does not always protect it from premature destruction ; for among the old people whom I examined , I scarcely met with one who had not lost brothers or sisters , in earlier or middle life , and wiio were born under circumstances equally favourable to longevity with themselves .
Thoughts On The New-Year; And On The Vicissitudes Of Life.
THOUGHTS ON THE NEW-YEAR ; AND ON THE VICISSITUDES OF LIFE .
IN A VISION . THE close of the old and commencement of the New Year , is a season , in which most people unbend their . minds from a severe attention to their several employments and professionsand
in-, dulge themselves in social enjoyment and festivity . And this gratification , when conducted with proper decorum and regularity , is neither irrational nor unmanly . It must , however , be allowed hi ghly reasonable to preserve our cheerfulness under , proper restraints , by mingling with it serious reflections on the uncertainty of earthly enjoyments , and the frailty of human nature . To those who are disposed
to pursue such reflections , the following vision will , perhaps , not be disagreeable . Methought I was traversing an opulent city . On all sides mirth and gaiety seemed to reign . I soon caught the general joy , and wandered with pleasure and delight from one circle to another ; and beinc desirous to know the cause of all this apparent satisfaction , was informed by one whom I asked , that it was the commencement of a New Year , which it was customary to usher in with such
demonstrations ofjoy . Having for some time wandered in this pleasing crofv-d , I at length arrived at a private walk , where every one I met carried in his appearance something which commanded respect . I had not o-one far before I was accosted by a venerable personage . " My son , " says he , " your cheerful countenance discovers the gladness of your heart ; and I am at no loss to guess the cause . " 1 replied , ' " Venerable
• father , you are not deceived ; and my disposition must be unfriendly indeed , couldl observe so much cheerfulness among my fellow-creatures without partaking of their happiness . " He -replied ,. " Your reasoning is just ; nor would 1 attempt to deprive you of your present satisfaction . My . name is Experience , and this walk Contemplation . If you will resign yourself to my guidance , I will teach you properly to wei g h terrestrial happiness . " I readily accepted his offer , allured