CONVERSATION IN OLD AGE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1980, 12 May 1875, Page 4

CONVERSATION IN OLD AGE.

The Saturday Review, in its notice of Sir Arthur Help's " Social Pressure," says:—-" An essay and conversation on 'Looking Back on-Life .Ms, to some tastes more attractive than disquisitions on towns or on public offices. The supposed author of the .essay on old or mature age is a, thoughtful and accurate observer. It would be hard : if the loss of the numerous advantages which belong to youth were .-not attended by some kind of compensation., It is certain that men become more; tolerant as they grow older,: and that, even if it cannot be said that they think less of themselves, they learn to conceal a selfishness which is probably diminished by deliberate suppression. The shyness which troubles so many of the young must be.excessive and inveterate if it is not relieved by long contact with the world. . Every moderately observant person finds, as he advances in life, that his neighbours are thinking less of him than of themselves, that they soon forget his blunders, and that they have probably never noticed the embarrassments which

have seemed to himself overwhelming. He also learns that his happiness is not dependent on the superficial opinions which may be formed of his own conduct and character by indifferent observers. If only his friends and enemies are content to be courteous to his face, he will consider that they are welcome to censure him behind his back. His own growing tolerance is probably reflected in the dispositions of his associates, and he is willing to incur with amused patience the severer judgment of inexperienced youth. In tolerable prosperity men become less sensitive and more good-humoured as they grow older, and above all they are less inclined to proselytism. To an eager and sincere young logician it is unbearable that the arguments which convince himself should neither be refuted nor admitted by his friends. A wise man ia after years knows that arguments t«nd but rarely and indirectly to affect opinion. Only fussy dispositions and second-rate intellects retain their polemical propensi- , ties in riper age. According to Mr Milverton, " Unless-'-hindered by physical circumstances, such as ill health, loss of hearing, or loss of sight, the capacity of social enjoyment with many persons goes en steadily increasing.' The art of conversation is seldom a juvenile accomplishment, and good talk, though it is rarely enjoyed, is one of the greatest pleasure of human.life."