1838.] The Seven Ages.” 617 
and girls!” He begins to grow garrulous now in the relation of his ju- 
venile freaks ; and rather tries the patience of his hearers by the fre- 
quent introduction of episodes, which are no way material to the story. 
He is likewise abominably particular about the “ where,” the « when,” 
and the “‘ who.” What wonders he could have done ! 
“ But, O vain boast ! 
Who can control his fate >—’tis not so now: 
Man but a rush against Othello’s breast, 
And he retires.” ' 
He has a favourite daughter, who leads him to church on Sunday—reads 
the paper to him every morning, and the Bible every evening. The 
crape he wears is for a son who was killed at Waterloo ; but he is com- 
forted in thinking that his remaining child will not be without a protec- 
tor—for she is engaged to the son of the same who « presented him 
with his gold spectacles and his walking-stick.” The loss of his son 
assisted to silver his hairs; but the marriage of his daughter has bright- 
ened him up. He is now tolerably cheerful, and can laugh at a joke 
(when he hears it), though at the risk of breaking a blood-vessel, 
Iti! 
BH J 
“ Last scene of all, 
That ends this strange, eventful history, 
Is second childishness, and mere oblivion - ‘ 
Sans eyes, sans teeth, sans taste, sans every thing.’ 
He retains his faculties just long enough to see his grandson make a 
hobby-horse ef his cane. His bed-room is on the ground-floor, and the 
utmost he can dois to move with quiet caution, supported by his son 
and daughter, from one room into the other... He has made his will, 
and lost his memory. The neighbours go through the ceremonious row= 
tine of daily inquiry after his health. A few “to-morrows” creep over 
us,—and on once more asking after the poor invalid, we find that 
“‘ yesterday has lighted him to dusty death.” 
ge “ Out, out, brief candle ! 
Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player, 
tw 1 That struts and frets his hour apon the stage, 
ole And then is heard no more: it is a tale 
Told by an idiot—full of sound and fury— 
Signifying nothing,” , 
dob y 
=noin 
fiils 
NEM. New Series —Vow.II, No.12. 4. K waned . 
