160 UNDER THE TREES. 



old struggles to make ourselves understood ; we 

 were no longer perplexed with doubts about the 

 reality of our ideas ; we had but to speak the 

 thought that was in us, and to live fearlessly and 

 joyously in the hour that was before us. Frank 

 speaking, absolute candor, that would once have 

 wounded, now only cheered and stimulated ; the 

 spirit of entire helpfulness drives out all morbid 

 self-consciousness. Differences no longer embitter 

 when courtesy and faith are universal possessions. 

 There is nothing more sacred than friendship, 

 and it is impossible to profane it by drawing the 

 veil from its ministries. The charm of a perfectly 

 noble companionship between two souls is as real 

 as the perfume of a flower, and as impossible to 

 convey by word or speech ; Nature has made its 

 sanctity inviolable by making it forever impossible 

 of revelation and transference. I cannot translate 

 into any language the delicate charm, the inexhaust 

 ible variety, the noble fidelity to truth, the vigor and 

 splendor of thought, the unfailing sympathy, of our 

 Arden friendships ; they are a part of the Forest, 

 and one must seek them there. It would vulgarize 

 these fellowships to catalogue the great names, 

 always familiar to us, and yet which gained another 

 and a better familiarity when they ceased to recall 

 famous persons and became associated with those 

 who sat at our hearthstone or gathered about our 

 simple board. Rosalind was sooner at home in this 

 noble company than I : she had far less to learn ; 



