ready to appear on the stage, eager to make one among the dramatis personae

of active life. It was not long since I was like one of these beardless

aspirants; when my boy shall have obtained the place I now hold, I shall

have tottered into a grey-headed, wrinkled old man. Strange system! riddle

of the Sphynx, most awe-striking! that thus man remains, while we the

individuals pass away. Such is, to borrow the words of an eloquent and

philosophic writer, "the mode of existence decreed to a permanent body

composed of transitory parts; wherein, by the disposition of a stupendous

wisdom, moulding together the great mysterious incorporation of the human

race, the whole, at one time, is never old, or middle-aged, or young, but,

in a condition of unchangeable constancy, moves on through the varied

tenour of perpetual decay, fall, renovation, and progression."[2]

Willingly do I give place to thee, dear Alfred! advance, offspring of

tender love, child of our hopes; advance a soldier on the road to which I

have been the pioneer! I will make way for thee. I have already put off the

carelessness of childhood, the unlined brow, and springy gait of early

years, that they may adorn thee. Advance; and I will despoil myself still

further for thy advantage. Time shall rob me of the graces of maturity,

shall take the fire from my eyes, and agility from my limbs, shall steal

the better part of life, eager expectation and passionate love, and shower

them in double portion on thy dear head. Advance! avail thyself of the

gift, thou and thy comrades; and in the drama you are about to act, do not

disgrace those who taught you to enter on the stage, and to pronounce

becomingly the parts assigned to you! May your progress be uninterrupted

and secure; born during the spring-tide of the hopes of man, may you lead

299

The Last Man