Ο Ν FRIENDSHIP. IT T has been always fuppofed of courts, that they are particularly marked by false pretences to Friendship; in other words, by the worst paffions, or by the coldeft indifference, under the warmest profeffions of respect and honour, attachment and fervice. But is there any reason for fuppofing, that such diffimulation is much lefs common in cities; or that it is not fufficiently practifed in fmaller focieties, and more confined fituations; in fhort, wherever wealth is poffeffed, or the defire of it ftrong; wherever vice has hardened the heart, or luxury enervated the foul? We have already feen, that, as fociety grows more highly polished, fincere af fection becomes more rare. An earneft attention to appearance, a boundless ambition of fplendor, an inceffant study of conceited, in default of that genuine, refinement which can only be attained by delicate minds-all thefe, fo manifeftly characteristic of the prefent age, co-operating with its more depraved difpofitions, are powerful enemies to the purity and folidity of Friendship. But, fince youth is ftill eafy of belief, and its credulity, in points that intereft its regards, is often peculiarly dangerous, we have been at fome pains to admonish you, my young auditors, against the deceits and errors to which you are most exposed on the fide of your kindest propenfities. The laft caution we prefumed to offer, turned on the neceffity of confining your expectations to a fmall number of Bofom Friends. The feelings that belong to fuch are, in truth, too important, and too difcriminating, to be entertained for many x |