s that which
passes between two persons who are familiar and intimate friends.

4. On these occasions, a man gives a loose to every passion, and every
thought that is uppermost discovers his most retired opinions of persons
and things, tries the beauty and strength of his sentiments, and exposes
his whole soul to the examination of his friend.

5. _Tully_ was the first who observed, that friendship improves
happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and dividing of
our grief; a thought in which he hath been followed by all the essayers
upon friendship, that have written since his time. Sir _Francis Bacon_
has finally described other advantages, or, as he calls them, fruits of
friendship; and indeed there is no subject of morality which has been
better handled and more exhausted than this.

6. Among the several fine things which have been spoken of, I shall beg
leave to quote some out of a very ancient author, whose book would be
regarded by our modern wits as one of the most shining tracts of
morality that is extant, if it appeared under the name of a _Confucius_
or of any celebrated Grecian philosopher; I mean the little Apocryphal
Treatise, entitled the Wisdom of the Son of _Sirach_.

7. How finely has he described the art of making friends, by an obliging
and affable behaviour! And laid down that precept which a late excellent
author has delivered as his own, "That we should have many well-wishers,
but few friends." Sweet language will multiply friends; and a
fair-speaking tongue will increase kind greetings. Be in peace with
many, nevertheless have but one counsellor of a thousand.

8. With what prudence does he caution us in the choice of our friends!
And with what strokes of nature (I could almost say of humour) has he
described the behaviour of a treacherous and self-interested friend--"If
thou wouldest get a friend, prove him first, and be not hasty to credit
him: for some man is a friend for his own occasion, and will not abide
in the day of thy trouble."

9. "And there is a friend, who being turned to enmity and strife, will
discover thy reproach." Again, "Some friend is a companion at the table,
and will not continue in the day of thy affliction: but in thy
prosperity he will be as thyself, and will be bold over thy servants. If
thou be brought low, he will be against thee, and hide himself from thy
face."

10. What can be more strong and pointed than the following verse?
"Separate thysel