The precise period of life at which it is imperative that a man should maintain continence for the remainder of his existence it is, of course, impossible to state, dependent, as it is, on a great variety of circumstances, as the con- stitution of the individual and the expenditure of his virile forces in early life. In doubtful cases an experienced physician should be taken into confidence. Says the author from whom we have already quoted: "when you see an old man full of judgment, endowed with strong reason, whose enlightened and active mind is still capable of properly directing his affairs, and of being useful to society, be convinced that that man is prudent and conti- nent; that temperance, so justly called sophrosyne — guar- dian of wisdom — with the ancients, has in him a fervent worshiper. In fact, has he not acquired complete moral liberty? Is he not delivered from a violent tyranny.? Such was the opinion of Cicero: 'Behold,' says he, 'a good reply of Sophocles to some one who asked him if, being old, he still enjoyed the pleasures of love: "May the gods preserve me from them " said he ; "I have aban- doned, them as willingly as I would have quitted a savage and furious master." ' Certainly a man who has taken so pure and so firm a position exhibits a very remarkable moral vigor, and, after all, it should be remarked, he merely follows the indications of nature. The imitators of Sophocles, however, are not the less deserving of praise, so little are men disposed to make the least sacrifice in this respect. It is necessary that you resolve upon it, however; you whom age is nearing, and you whom it has already attained. You wish to live as long as possible, and with the least possible suffering — difficult solution of the grand problem of life. Well, renounce that which is no longer in harmony with your age, temperament, and
