"Nothing makes a man feel older than to hear a band coming up the street and not to have the impulse to rush downstairs and out on to the sidewalk"

In this quote, Robert Benchley is expressing the sensation of nostalgia and yearning for his youth. He explains the noise of a band playing in the street, which used to bring him happiness and excitement, today just acts as a suggestion of his age. The phrase "showing up the street" suggests that the band is approaching, but the speaker no longer has the urge to rush downstairs and take part the celebrations. This could be due to physical restrictions or just a shift in concerns as one gets older. In general, the quote highlights the bittersweet realization of aging and the loss of younger energy.