STRAY THOUGHTS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XII, Issue 1321, 23 October 1872, Page 4

STRAY THOUGHTS.

A humorous correspondent of the Canbury " Press," says :—

There are many most respectable people whp don't put tho table knives in their mouths, not even in the case of peas, who can behave themselves in company discreetly and warily enough, but however easily they may enter a room, no matter •with what facility they may carry on a conversation while there, the majority of half-bred 'uns undoubtedly find a serious difficulty in getting out of a room when onoe in it. An old butler who had lived in many good families made this remark to me once, and Mr Wilkie Collins makes one of his best characters say something very similar. A fellow who wants to say good by and can't do it is a pitiable object. Be looks into his hat, says he must really go, and can't do it ; looks at his watch and says he must go, but still 'remains rooted to his chair : blows his nose, and remarks for the ninth time that it is nice weather, studies his boots, and at last after a most stupendous effort succeeds in getting under weigh to his own satisfaction, and to the intense relief of the people he is calling on, who by the' way he hates like sin, and who, probably, thoroughly reciprocate the feeling. You are aware of all this no doubt, but has the extraordinary tenacity with which some people cling to life never struck you as being singular? The days of man are three ecore and ten, but really most men are not only played out long before that time but are " an emphatic noosence" long before that age. Look here, I respect old age, but I can't bear longevity. The man who lives over sixty is an anachronism, and really makes one wish that the pleasing custom prevalent amongst the noble savages of North America, of starving old geutlemen, could be introduced into civilised life. I think, and I'm suro the insurance offices and heirs expectant will agree with me, that suicide is quite justifiable in any man over sixty. lam led to express a pretty decided opinion on this subject; from a recent advertisement of yours referring to Norton's camomile pills. An old gentleman declares that "he is 78 years old ; that he enjoys good health, sound sleep, and a good appetite, owing to a regular consumption of Norton's camomile pills." Bully for tho old man ; but none tho less do I think that any pill that conduces to lobg life should be wiped off the face of the earth.