These are sure notices of a disordered circulation: and old men cannot bear this, even for a time, without damage. The strength of youth restores all to its former state, when the sudden gust is over: but age is weak, and cannot. Philosophy teaches the governing our passions; and that is true wisdom. The old man should love himself too well to indulge them: it is not worth his while. Quiet and regularity of Life in every respect are his business: and as he is past the fluttering pleasures of youth, let him place himself above its troubles. Good humour, and a happy satisfaction of mind, will give the aged many years; and much happiness in them. Discontent and disturbance wear out nature: but the quiet we advice, preserves her in good condition. Of all passions let the old man avoid a foolish fondness for women. This never will solicit him: for nature knows her own time; and the appetite decays with the power: but if he will solicit that which he cannot enjoy, he will disturb his constitution more than by any other means whatever: and while he is shortening his life; and robbing the poor remainder he allows, of peace; he will be only making himself the ridicule of those who seem to favour his vain, and ineffectual desires. In passionate people, what we blame as their fault, is often their misfortune. Some indeed, from a tyrannical disposition, have fixed this humour upon themselves by custom; with no other cause; but for one of these, there are a hundred whose fury of temper is owing to a disorder in their body. We know madness is a disease: and violent passion is a temporary madness. This also arises often from a redundance of humours; and medicines will cure it. Let the passionate old man consider, that he hurts himself more than any body else, by his anger; and he will then wish to be cured of its tyranny. Let him examine himself, whether it be a disorder of his mind; and then his physician, whether it lie in the body. In the first case the remedy is philosophy: but in the latter, a few medicines will restore him to temper; to that temper on which his life and happiness depend. Let the hasty old man cool himself by physic and a low diet: and let him who is melancholy and gloomy, banish the everlasting fear of death by warmer foods, cordial medicines, and that best of cordials, wine. These will drive away much more than the apprehension of death; they will put off the reality: for melancholy would have sunk the feeble, long before his time. Of all states of the mind, a disturbed hurry of the spirits is most to be avoided. The blood and the nerves are disordered by this much more than by labour, or bodily motion; and they are much longer in coming to themselves again. Labour ceases absolutely when ’tis over: but the storms of the mind leave a swelling sea, which strength of body alone can calm; and in age this strength is faint.