too, that is considered abstractedly from both. These things are not fixed to the freehold.

Not but that one should carry it with that distance and regard which is due to persons of condition. If they condescend to lay aside their state, there is no reason we should take advantage of the level. One would not presume farther upon the behavior of a man genteely bred, than another that wanted that advantage. But, on the other hand, there are instances to be met with, of such as have outstretched expectation, as well as those that have fallen short of it. These should be looked upon with as much favor, and more, for having hammered themselves out into the perfections they have.

Deliberate on all things with thy friend;
But since friends grow not thick on ev'ry bow,
Nor ev'ry friend unrotten at the core
First on thy friend deliberate with thyself;
Pause, ponder, sift, not eager in the chace,
Nor jealous of the chosen, fixing, fix;
Judge before friendship, then confide till death.
Well for thy friend; but nobler far for thee :
How gallant danger for earth's highest prize!
A friend is worth all hazard we can run.
Poor is the friendless master of the world:
A world in purchase for a friend is gain.

The general duty of a friend is, an industrious pursuit of his friend's real advantages; fidelity in his trusts, assistance in all his wants, and a constant endeavor for his advancement in piety and virtue, for so close is the connection, that this is the expression of God himself, speaking of a friend: THY FRIEND, Deuterono

WHICH IS AS THINE OWN SOUL.

my xiii. 6.

Revenge, (says de Sacy) which is never to be indulged, is between friends most of all a crime, and yet it will sometimes creep in, under the disguise of justice; and here the easiness of revenge may encourage us to it. We know the man to the bottom, and can therefore injure him a hundred ways; but, this is ungenerous-inhuman! All that we can honorably allow ourselves in, is to shew, by a genteel behavior, what he has lost, who has forfeited our friendship; by our generous conduct, to discover the fault is his, and make him suffer in the reproach of his own breast. To be unconcerned at his misfortunes, or success; to look upon him with the aversion of an enemy, is passion, and not just resentment. His betraying your secrets will not justify you in exposing his. You will meet with more favorable opinion from the best of men, while you are so generous to suffer rather than retaliate. Whereas they'll think you deserve such usage, if you can allow it in yourself. There is no relief b

patience, admitting it otherwise, you open a door to all manner of disorder. Friendship has no sting to revenge affronts with; the remorse which a guilty person feels, and the disgrace he meets with abroad, if his character be known, is the punishment we should content ourselves with inflicting.

Among the friends we should cast off, I reckon those that stick as long as fortune is kind, but turn with the tide, and keep at a distance; those flies that follow the honey-pot while there is something to be had, and take their leave when there is no more to be hoped for. A true friend may be forgiven, if in time of prosperity he seem to neglect you, but he is not worth having, who neglects you in distress; for 'tis then his duty comes on, when things go against you; to sustain and comfort you when you are in trouble; and to bear a part of your burden.

We think we come up to the highest pitch of friendship, when our purse is open to our friends. It is true, comparatively reckoning, he is a generous man that will do so much; but that is not enough-If to part with our money to those we profess an affection for, be the highest price of friendship, pray what must the lowest be? Is it such a mighty piece of business to do that for the dearest person on earth, which we do to gratify a vain humor? What common humanity or applause will put us upon, surely, amongst friends, is not to be

reckoned an act of transcendant kindness, when it is no more than giving to another self, and paying of debts. Is there any thing more certainly due, than what we are engaged to by the alliance of friendship? Let a man incur the displeasure of his superiors, and warmly embark in my service, I'll own such a man to be a friend indeed, generous, and affectionate, one cannot praise him too much. Let him open his purse to one he loves, this comes short of the other. A man of honor, upon a slender friendship, will do as much as this. To cry up the parting with our pence, for the highest sacrifice that can be paid to friendship, is the sign of a groveling spirit, that knows not what is truly noble. The people of old had better notions of the matter, who would borrow to give others in distress, and think they had done no more than their duty.

Wherefore, he that fails in this point, is not worth our acquaintance; he that deserts a man to save a pocket, will never hazard life and reputation in his service. Virtue is the principle of union, but vice is often strong enough to make a separation. Adversity is a time to try how sincere the professions were; if they pass that test, we may depend upon them.

With three sorts of men enter into no serious friendship -the ungrateful man, the multiloquacious man, and the coward. The

first cannot prize your favors; the second cannot keep your counsel; and the third dares not vindicate your honor,

Of all felicities, how charming is that of a firm and gentle friendship; it sweetens our cares, softens our sorrows, and assists us in extremities; it is a sovereign antidote against calamities. Nature, within the soul of man, has formed nothing more noble, or more rare than friendship.

Friends are to friends as lesser gods, while they

Honor and service to each other pay;

But when a dark cloud comes, grudge not to lend

Thy head, thy heart, thy fortune to thy friend.

FRIENDSHIP! mysterious cement of the soul! Sweetner of life, and folder of society,

I owe thee much. Thou hast deserv'd from

me,

Far, far beyond what I can ever pay.
Oft have I prov'd the labors of thy love,
And the warm efforts of the gentle heart,
Anxious to please.

'Twas happiness

Too exquisite to last. Of joys departed, Not to return, how painful the remembrance!