THE SUM OF THE MATTER. 



159 



posed nap of a half a century, this individual had left in 

 wakefulness a disinterested descendant of a fast-enduring 

 friend, that ram avis might either be, in the course of nature, 

 dead, or choosing, like himself, to deviate from her beaten 

 track, have repaired, like a sand-marten or a great goat cater- 

 pillar, to his own dormitory, and be, therefore, out of the way 

 when his liberating services were required. On the whole, 

 then, and in sober earnest, we must needs arrive at the con- 

 clusion that, with the allotted period of our lives, and their 

 present constitution, as with all other things under the 

 guidance of Infinite Wisdom, whatever is, is best. Above 

 all, let us remember, that, even as it is, we are permitted, in 

 one important sense, to hold in our hands the extension or 

 curtailment of our allotted span. Within a brief space, we 

 may live much, within a long one, oh ! how little ! 



Uirfabs of Jusfrt Tiff arr uartousty 



