14Q LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP. 



add to the charms of Friendship. Both flourish from 

 external opposition, but the one is increased by tran- 

 sient jealousy, tender upbraidings, innocent and play- 

 ful coquetry ; the other is always weakened by 

 doubts and altercations. Friendship requires the most 

 perfect sincerity and boundless confidence ; Love can- 

 not subsist without delicacy and reserve. Friendship 

 is not perfect if any thing is concealed ; Love declines 

 when there is nothing to bestow. The person who is 

 in love wants a confidant ; the person who has a friend 

 enjoys one. Friendship pre-supposes esteem and com- 

 placency ; Love creates them. Friendship would sacri- 

 fice her own good, to that of a beloved object ; Love 

 would sacrifice both to the gratification of its passion. 

 When Friendship is at its height it kindles into Love ; 

 when Love declines it mellows into Friendship. Friend- 

 ship may be extinguished ; Love must die. Love is a 

 flower, that opens, blooms and fades ; Friendship is a 

 stream which grows deeper as it * flows. Love is a 

 passion ; Friendship a habit. Love is the child of beauty ; 

 esteem is the parent of Friendship. Love is often con- 

 cealed where it is felt; Friendship often pretended 

 where it is not known. The bosom opened to Friend- 

 ship is most apt to receive another impression ; the 

 heart which has bled with Love, grows more secure from 

 a second wound. Love is more ardent; Friendship 

 more sincere. Friendship is killed by unkindness ; Love 

 is destroyed by favors, and slackens into indifference. 

 Your friend above all things should think you sincere ; 

 your lover above all things should think you amiable. 

 When both these affections are joined, Love animates 

 Friendship, and Friendship gives stability to Love : 

 they form an entire union of heart, and bid fair to be- 

 stow the highest felicity which is allotted to human 

 nature. May the bond of Friendship ever unite us. 



Yours 



A. L. A. 



