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TN prosperity, who will not profess,to love, a man? In adversity, how 
1 few will show that they do indeed. 
“When we are happy,” says an experienced writer, “in the spring- 
tide of abundance, and the rising flood of plenty, the world will be our 
servant; then, all men flock about us, with bare heads and bended bodies 
and protesting tongues. But when these pleasing waters fall to ebbing, 
when wealth but shifts to another hand, men look upon us at a distance, 
and stiffen themselves as if they were in armor, but (if they should come 
nigh us) they should get a wound in the cloze.” 
“Our fortunes and ourselves,” says the same author, “are things so 
closely linked that we know not which is the cause of the regard that is 
shown to us. When these two shall part, we may then discern which of 
them it was that excited affection. I confess he is happy who finds a true 
friend in extremity; but he is happier who finds not extremity wherein to 
try his friend. Thus the trial of friendship is, by finding what others 
will do for us.” 
And so, indeed, George Washington was right when he said: “True 
friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the 
shocks of adversity, before it is entitled to the appellation.” 
Shakespeare says, as if from much experience, in this respect, 
‘‘The great man down, you mark his favorite flies, 
The poor advanc’d, makes friends of enemies. 
And hitherto doth love on fortune tend; 
For who not needs, shall never lack a friend; 
And who in want a hollow friend doth try, 
Directly seasons him his enemy.” 
