~ 
1793- art of life,—in cultivation of habits. 169 
On this occasion Icannot do better than cite a paf- 
sage which Cicero hath put into the mouth of the el- 
der Cato, that deserveth as much attention for its so- 
lidity and good sense, as it doth praise for the beauty 
and accuracy of stile in which it is delivered. 
*s If, sayeth he, petulance or lust be vices more 
frequent among young men than old, yet all young 
men are not infected with them, but such only as 
‘want proper talents ; so it is with that sort of distem~ 
per which you call dotage ; which is indeed the dis- 
ease of old men, but to whieh all old men are not 
subjected. Appius was for some years quite blind, 
and yet he managed a family of four sons grown up, 
and five daughters, with abundance of relations and 
-elients, who depended upon him. He kept his mind 
always in order, and though his vigour decayed, yet 
his senses never failed him. He preserved to the last 
moment his character and his authority: every body 
looked up to him as became their station: his slaves 
feared, his children revered, and all who were a- 
bout him loved him. Ina word he kept up the.old 
discipline, and did honour to the Roman name, by 
preserving the. manners of his family untainted. 
Thus it is, that old age may maintain a graceful su. 
periority, if it be prudently jealous of its prerogative: 
if on all occafions it maintains its rights : if it never 
sneaks and gives way, but keeps up a manly spirit 
to the last: for as I approve some qualities of age in 
a young man, so a youthful spirit is very commend- 
able in men of years, for which they preserve this, 
~ VoL. xvii, ¥ + 
