But as the disease of old age is epidemic, endemic, and sporadic, and everybody that lives long enough is sure to catch it, I am going to say, for the encouragement of such as need it, how I treat the malady in my own case.
First.

As I feel, that, when I have anything to do, there is less time for it than when I was younger, I find that I give my attention more thoroughly, and use my time more economically than ever before; so that I can learn anything twice as easily as in my earlier days.

I am not, therefore, afraid to attack a new study.
I took up a difficult language a very few years ago with good success, and think of mathematics and metaphysics by-and-by.
Secondly.

I have opened my eyes to a good many neglected privileges and pleasures within my reach, and requiring only a little courage to enjoy them.

You may well suppose it pleased me to find that old Cato was thinking of learning to play the fiddle, when I had deliberately taken it up in my old age, and satisfied myself that I could get much comfort, if not much music, out of it.
Thirdly.