Old Lady Mary: A Story of the Seen and the Unseen

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Old Lady Mary: A Story of the Seen and the Unseen by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant ISBN: 9781465529299
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
ISBN: 9781465529299
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English

She was very old, and therefore it was very hard for her to make up her mind to die. I am aware that this is not at all the general view, but that it is believed, as old age must be near death, that it prepares the soul for that inevitable event. It is not so, however, in many cases. In youth we are still so near the unseen out of which we came, that death is rather pathetic than tragic,—a thing that touches all hearts, but to which, in many cases, the young hero accommodates himself sweetly and courageously. And amid the storms and burdens of middle life there are many times when we would fain push open the door that stands ajar, and behind which there is ease for all our pains, or at least rest, if nothing more. But age, which has gone through both these phases, is apt, out of long custom and habit, to regard the matter from a different view. All things that are violent have passed out of its life,—no more strong emotions, such as rend the heart; no great labors, bringing after them the weariness which is unto death; but the calm of an existence which is enough for its needs, which affords the moderate amount of comfort and pleasure for which its being is now adapted, and of which there seems no reason that there should ever be any end. To passion, to joy, to anguish, an end must come; but mere gentle living, determined by a framework of gentle rules and habits—why should that ever be ended? When a soul has got to this retirement and is content in it, it becomes very hard to die; hard to accept the necessity of dying, and to accustom one's self to the idea, and still harder to consent to carry it out. The woman who is the subject of the following narrative was in this position.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

She was very old, and therefore it was very hard for her to make up her mind to die. I am aware that this is not at all the general view, but that it is believed, as old age must be near death, that it prepares the soul for that inevitable event. It is not so, however, in many cases. In youth we are still so near the unseen out of which we came, that death is rather pathetic than tragic,—a thing that touches all hearts, but to which, in many cases, the young hero accommodates himself sweetly and courageously. And amid the storms and burdens of middle life there are many times when we would fain push open the door that stands ajar, and behind which there is ease for all our pains, or at least rest, if nothing more. But age, which has gone through both these phases, is apt, out of long custom and habit, to regard the matter from a different view. All things that are violent have passed out of its life,—no more strong emotions, such as rend the heart; no great labors, bringing after them the weariness which is unto death; but the calm of an existence which is enough for its needs, which affords the moderate amount of comfort and pleasure for which its being is now adapted, and of which there seems no reason that there should ever be any end. To passion, to joy, to anguish, an end must come; but mere gentle living, determined by a framework of gentle rules and habits—why should that ever be ended? When a soul has got to this retirement and is content in it, it becomes very hard to die; hard to accept the necessity of dying, and to accustom one's self to the idea, and still harder to consent to carry it out. The woman who is the subject of the following narrative was in this position.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Mistress and Maid by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Told in the Coffee House: Turkish Tales by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book De Libris: Prose and Verse by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book The Ascent of Denali (Mount McKinley) A Narrative of the First Complete Ascent of the Highest Peak in North America by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Castles and Chateaux of Old Navarre and the Basque Provinces by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Of the Original Contract by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book The Tickencote Treasure by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Where Science and Religion Meet by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book The Relief of Mafeking: How it Was Accomplished by Mahon's Flying Column by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Beiwerke Zum Studium Der Anthropophyteia by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Voyages in Search of the North-West Passage by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Egypt by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book The Big Brother: A Story of Indian War by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book Barbara's Heritage: Young Americans Among The Old Italian Masters by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
Cover of the book O Que Fazem Mulheres: Romance Philosophico by Margaret Oliphant Wilson Oliphant
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy