To review the transactions of former days, the many sportive hours which
have long been past, and to recall the pleasures of innocence and
virtue, is both pleasing and instructive; pleasing, because it delights
the heart with joys it once participated, and of which, while animated
with the prospect, tho’ only the delusive paintings of imagination, it
seems even now to partake; instructive, because it presents our progress
in happiness and virtue, or the mournful reverse our deviation from
innocence and rectitude. But it is particularly pleasing to look back on
the scenes of youth and childhood; we review those seasons of life with
the greatest partiality and delight. ’Twas then health and beauty
bloomed upon the cheek, and every object was decked with the charms of
fascination. ’Twas then the heart ignorant of vice and unacquainted with
sorrow or misfortune, enjoyed every pleasure without alloy. There are
likewise other parts of life which occupy the moment of reflection: the
learned dwell with rapture on the hours spent in the acquirement of
knowledge and instruction, the ambitious on their gradual progression to
wealth and fame, and the brave on the many dangers and hardships they
have undergone in the field of battle. Reflection is especially the
attendant of age, it assists to enliven the many vacant hours which are
common at this period. The aged almost feel their strength renewed in
recounting their former seats of activity, and their hearts are animated
by the virtuous deeds they have performed.
Happy then is he who having spent his days in the practice of every
public and social virtue, reviews the past actions of his life with
chearfulness and content: the pleasures of reflection shall chear the
listless moments of decrepitude and age, and shall convey peace and
comfort to his bosom in those moments when present enjoyments have lost
their relish. Tho’ he no more can perceive the splendour of the sun, and
the various beauties of creation: tho’ incapable of hearing the most
harmonious music, and of enjoying the choicest delicacies; still shall
the power of his mind survive the general ruin, and reflection chear him
in the evening of his days.