68 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



when the mind survives the body, and worse still when the body survives 

 i he mind: but when both these survive our spirits, our hopes, and our 

 health, this is worst of all." 



Many old people who come upon their middle-aged children for support 

 and consolation have reached the latter condition. And no doubt they are 

 a very heavy burden. Many an ill-tempered old person has ruined the 

 life of a devoted son or daughter. But the duty remains. It is one which 

 must not be shirked, even if it descends to a grand-daughter. Little Nell 

 did her duty, and only her duty. 



It has remained for Dickens to depict, as only he can, the burden of un- 

 just and wicked parents upon virtuous children, Indeed, he has been 

 blamed for grinding up his own father in paint, and therefrom construct- 

 ing the characters of Turveydrop, Mr. Dorrit, and Mr. Micawber. One can 

 but feel regret that a youth such as Dickens passed had eradicated much 

 that was delicate and desirable in the way of reticence. Yet the world 

 needed the lesson. There are depths in the heart of man which can only 

 be reached by such revelations : and we can but hope that some thoroughly 

 selfish and unworthy parents have read and profited by these lessons ; that 

 a Turveydrop may have seen himself, and have ceased to live on his chil- 

 dren ; that a Dorrit may have been ashamed of his pretence and turgidity ; 

 a Micawber, more lovable than the others, have been aroused from his 

 worthless dreams ! 



Severity and censoriousness in the old alienate youthful affections, and 

 the old should constantly bear in mind that, if they would keep the affec- 

 tions of their descendants, they must cultivate amiability. As Dr. John- 

 son says, to again quote his wise words : " There are many who live mere- 

 ly to hinder happiness, and whose descendants can only tell of long life, 

 that it produces suspicion, malignity, peevishness, and persecution ; and 

 yet even these tyrants can talk of the ingratitude of the age, curse their 

 heirs for impatience, and wonder that young men can not take pleasure in 

 their father's company. 



" He that would pass the latter part of his life with honour and decency 

 must, when he is young, consider that he shall one day be old, and remem 

 ber when he is old, that he has once been young. In youth he must lay 

 up knowledge for his support when his powers of acting shall forsake 

 him ; and in age forbear to animadvert with vigour on faults which ex- 

 perience only can correct." 



Those who are endeavouring to make home happy, and who are baffled 

 by the peevishness of an old person, must try to strengthen themselves in 

 the good work by every argument in favour of old age, making every ex- 



