It is difficult for persons advanced in years to acquire a new language. The rigid and unyielding muscles of aged persons, render them as unfit for pronouncing a language to which they have not been accustomed, as the limbs of a cripple are for dancing. But the sentiment may he extended further, as they would be scarcely less successful in attempting the acquisition of any new art or science; such acquisition requiring a greater degree of vigour, than they can be supposed to have retained. The province of the ancient, if their time has been well employed, is rather to instruct others, than to hunt after new sources of knowledge. Plutarch says, "that the life of a vestal virgin was divided into three portions; in the first of which she learned the duties of her profession, in the second she practised them, and in the third she taught them to others." This is no bad model for persons in every situation of life. The proverb may be applied to persons attempting any thing for which they are peculiarly disqualified.

The Trojans became wise too late; they only came to their senses, when their city was on the eve of being taken. Exhausted by a war of ten years, they then began to consult about restoring Helen, on whose account the contest had been undertaken. The adage is applied to persons, who do dot see the advantage of any measure or precaution until it is too late to adopt it, and is similar to, "when the steed is stolen, we shut the stable door," and to the following of the Italians, and the French, "Serrar la stalla quando s'han perduti i buovi." "Il est tems de fermer l'étable quand les chevaux en sont allé."