Integrity, we must fling ourselves headlong. Such is the journey: but when we gain the summit, it is then that the triumphant spirit looks down on the dangers it has passed; and mingling with the laurelled sons of immortality, enjoys an Elysium, whose pleasures are as pure as they are sublime, and as rapturous as they are eternal. FRIENDSHIP. 1. FRIENDSHIP is so rare, as it is doubted, whether it be a thing indeed, or but a word. Remark. It is rare, because its essentials are invaluable and hard to be found: and as its worth is so great, we have counterfeits which cheat us under a false stamp; and when we think that 4 we have exchanged our heart for real friendship, we find nothing but mens' delusions and our own bankruptcy. "In what light (asked a Grecian philosopher of his friend,) do you view friendship?" "As the most delightful and the most dangerous of the gifts of heaven: (answered he,) its enjoyments are extatic; its disappointments, agony." 2. Be careful to make friendship the child, and not the father of virtue: for many strongly knit minds are rather good friends than good men; so, as though they do not like the evil their friend does, yet they like him who does the evil; and though no counsellors of the offence, they yet protect the offender. Remark. This bias in friendship is pregnant with evil; for, when once the eye that we most fear, is so prejudiced in our favour, as not to perceive distinctly the colour of our actions, we are apt to take advantage of such blindness and to suffer the brightness of our character to fade, since the change can be no longer discerned by the person whose approbation stands highest in our esteem. But the friendship which is thus influenced, wants one indispensible qualification for discharging the duties of that inviolable intimacy; a detestation of every thing that is degrading! True, legitimate friendship, that is perfect in all its parts, is the most quick-sighted of all the affections. Her eye is a microscope, that discovers every defect; but the discovery does not excite any unkind, or upbraiding emotions; nor does she wish to conceal from the object of her observations, the knowledge of errors, that may be amended: she regards the imperfections before her, with the same tenderness and delicacy that she would dispense to her own; and being only anxious for the well-doing and happiness of her friend, she shews him his default, that it may be rectified, before malignancy descries, and proclaims it to the world. 3. Take heed how you place your good-will upon any other ground than proof of virtue. Neither length of acquaintance, mutual secrecies, nor height of benefits, can bind a vicious heart: no man being good to others, that is not good in himself. Remark. On what grounds can we expect integrity, either in private or political transactions, from the person who errs in the first of human duties, care of himself, of his character, of his conscience, of his all that is the man? What is a frame of flesh and blood? What are stations and titles? What, fine declamation, and profession? But chaff, dust,-mere wind and words. Man is built up of honour; and when that fails him, he has no more claim on the august name, than the painted mummy could pretend to, which defrauds the earth of its borrowed clay. 4. There is no sweeter taste of friendship, than the coupling of souls in mutuality, either of condoling or comforting; where the oppressed mind finds itself not altogether miserable, since it is sure of one who is feelingly sorry for its misery. And the joyful, spends not his joy either alone, or there where it may be envied; but may freely send it to such a well-grounded object, whence he shall be sure to receive a sweet reflection of the same joy; and as in a clear mirror of sincere good-will, see a lively picture of his own gladness. Remark. How beautifully has Dr. Young expressed this thought! Celestial Happiness! Whene'er she stoops |