LOOKIltG^GLASS. 
19 
flow of fpirits. Having reached the higheft enjoy- 
ments and moft pleafing endearments of lifcj man 
then difplays his vigorous and majeftic form, as lord 
of the creation. 
Manhood is equally marked with fuch ftrlking 
fhades of variations as will not efcape a painter’s 
eye. At that period, corpulency often overftrains 
features, once fo regular ; the limbs become un- 
wieldy, while the mufcles are encumbered and 
checked by changes affefling the whole fyftem ; 
yet, much as an exceffive corporation disfigures the 
lines of grace and elegance, a moderate fhare of 
comelinefs is very becoming. 
Men do not pafs rapidly from the vigour of life 
to the vale of years. If at fifty they begin to go 
down hill, they frequently wear fo well as not to 
be old in conftitution. 
It is, however, about that age, and until the fixty- 
fifth year, that their decline is firft perceptible. 
Plump and jolly looks give way to wrinkles : for want 
of fufficient elaftic tone through the whole frame, 
the Ikin, like cloth, takes a rougher plait, particular- 
ly on the cheeks and forehead. At laft a bald, fur- 
rowed brow ; a pale, flirivelled, toothlefs face, and 
bones jutting out, are figns of approaching diflb- 
lution. Even the ftature diminilhes. A giant’s 
fpine, or main pillar, finks under the weight of 
years. His mufcles become too weak to glue to- 
gether that chain of Nature’s fyftem j the joints of 
C 2 his 
