The good old times, the grand old times, the great old times!  Those were the times for a bold peasantry, and all that sort of thing.  Those were the times for every sort of thing, in fact.  There’s nothing now-a-days.  Ah!’ sighed the red-faced gentleman.  ‘The good old times, the good old times!’

The gentleman didn’t specify what particular times he alluded to; nor did he say whether he objected to the present times, from a disinterested consciousness that they had done nothing very remarkable in producing himself.

‘The good old times, the good old times,’ repeated the gentleman.  ‘What times they were!  They were the only times.  It’s of no use talking about any other times, or discussing what the people are in these times.  You don’t call these, times, do you?  I don’t.

From “The Chimes” by Charles Dickens

I am back in the civilized world. I have internet access. In this snippet, with his observant acumen, Charles Dickens criticizes those who praise the old times.  I believe this impression has to do with youth.  Life seems exciting and happy when we are young. A long hopeful future lies ahead of us. There are so many goals to look forward.  Therefore, we will remain young as long as we set our hearts on tasks we feel passionate about.  The old times are different but not better than the present ones.