sentiments, and tastes, they become attracted to each
other. Or in spite of natural disagreements or differences, through
the force of circumstances they become welded together in friendship.
Montaigne describes such an attachment, in which the souls mix and work
themselves into one piece with so perfect a mixture that there is no
more sign of a seam by which they were first conjoined. Says Euripedes:

"A friend
Wedded into our life is more to us
Than twice five thousand kinsman one in blood."

Such was the friendship of Ruth and Naomi. Orpha loved Naomi, kissed
her, and returned satisfied to her early home; but Ruth cleaved unto
her, saying:

"Entreat me not to leave thee,
And to return from following after thee:
For whither thou goest, I will go;
Where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
Thy people shall be my people,
And thy God my God:
Where thou diest, will I die,
And there will I be buried:
The Lord do so to me, and more also,
If aught but death part thee and me."

The keeping of a friend like the keeping of a fortune, lies in the
getting, although in friendship much depends upon circumstances of
association. However subtle may be the circumstances which bring friends
together, or whatever natural agreement may exist between their natures,
still there is always a conscious choosing of friends. In this choosing
lies the secret of abiding friendship. Young says:

"First on thy friend deliberate with thyself;
Pause, ponder, sift: not eager in the choice,
Nor jealous of the chosen; fixing fix;
Judge before friendship, then confide till death."

Steadfastness and constancy such as this seldom loses a friend.

Last of all, abiding friendship is grounded in virtue. Says a famed
writer on Friendship: "There is a pernicious error in those who think
that a free indulgence in all lusts and sins is extended in friendship.
Friendship was given us by nature as the handmaid of virtues and not as
the companion of our vices. It is virtue, virtue I say... that both wins
friendship and preserves it." And closing his remarks on this immortal
subject, Cicero causes Laelius to say: "I exhort you to lay the
foundations of virtue, without which friendship can not exist, in such
a manner, that with this one exception, you may consider that nothing in
the world is more excellent than friendship."

IX. TRAVEL. A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.

We have