Modern Methuselahs or, Short biographical sketches of a few advanced nonagenarians or actual centenarians who were distinguished in art, science, literature, or philanthropy : also, brief notices of some individuals remarkable chiefly for their longevity / by John Burn Bailey.
- Bailey, John Burn.
- Date:
- 1888
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Modern Methuselahs or, Short biographical sketches of a few advanced nonagenarians or actual centenarians who were distinguished in art, science, literature, or philanthropy : also, brief notices of some individuals remarkable chiefly for their longevity / by John Burn Bailey. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by University of Bristol Library. The original may be consulted at University of Bristol Library.
44/478 (page 28)
![tlie slowest. Time seems to for<];et to wins^ its shaft at these happy possessors of slowly ripened powers. Life appears in their case to intensify with growing years ; to increase in activity, reality, and earnestness. D'Israeli, the elder, pleasantly discusses the vitality of many distinguished men in a chapter of his Literary Character. He gathers together many delightful proofs of the fascination which art and scholarship exercised over their devotees to a very advanced age, and even to the last hour of existence. Li many instances literary or artistic enthusiasm has actually j^rolonged life; it has defied the power of death until some fondl}^ cherished task had been accomplished: some work of art executed, or some noble contribution given to literature. In such a spirit Mrs. Grant, of Laggan, states that at an advanced age she continued to correspond with absent friends, and adds, I do think the intercourse I thus continue with persons I have long loved and valued has a tendency to prolong my life. Taken as a whole—for exceptional cases have occurred—men who have attained to eminence in any walk of life have found no injury to mental or bodily health arise from the earnest and ungrudging exercise of their respective powers. Or rather, on the contrary, they have found in that exercise the best and surest preservative of them. There are few more injurious agencies than rust, and the unnecessary disuse of faculties or functions which should be maintained in due working order, is the surest step to induce their](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21444080_0044.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
