FRIENDSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2201, 7 May 1896, Page 44

FRIENDSHIP.

By. Myrtle Tj.inb.

There is sound philosophy in the poet Couper/s remark that if a good book were as scarce as a good friend, ha would have the book, I«t who liked have the friend. At first sight this opinion of tho poet may savour of pessimism ; bat when we reflect that individuals of highly-Btrnng, refined, eetafcitive, poetical temperaments live in a world of tb«ir own creating, far above the reach of ordinary mortals, the difficulty of fiadicg congenial natures to wham they can unburthen their nearest and dearest sentiments at once becomes apparent. Again the same poet says : .... Hast thou found a friend 1 , Thou hast indeed o large and rich supply— Comfort to serve thy every need, Well managed, till thou die. Wftll managed— yes, that is the secret, and doubtless when that secret is discovered aad put into practice, we shall know the ark of securing and retaining valuable friendships duiing the term of < our natural life.

What are lhe eneential qualities necessary to foxai the basic of a mutual and lasting friendship! Generosity, sympathy, honour, and fidelity would, I think, form a good basis on which to build a strong and lifelong friendship. Some erratic .minds are under the delusion that, although a number of virtues are a necessity ia those they favour with their friendship, their friend is not entitled to expect reciprocal good qualities in them, There wa» never a greater fallacy. Hence bo many unsatisfactory and broken friendships, whioh if well' managed would have laxted till death severed the mutual bond. By what illogical form of reaioning anyone can arrive at such a one-elded conclusion is a problem I am unable to aolvo. Tbc virtues which we expeot in our friend must, in a measure at least, be duplicated is ourselves, else there can be no true and lasting bond of union. When we pour a sorrowful tale In onr friend's ear, expecting help and sympathy, we must not rebel, bat mutt listen patiently whilst our friend quietly tell* us that we were qnite wrong in the course we adopted, and urges ub with all the fervour of an intense nature to try and retrieve our mistake ere it be too late. Are we disappointed ? Probably ; but act on the advice so kindly given, and you will be glad you did so wbea you think quietly over your mistake — for muember, faithful aro the wounds of a friend, bat the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

. Do cot expeot too much of your friend, nor rush too hastily to tell your trouble. There are lome crosies in life that no friend should be told save the invisible yet ever* present Friend, Who sever tires of listening to our tales of sorrow and suffering. Finally, treat your friend at all times and under all circumstances with deference and respect. Do nob presume too far. Too much familiarity (even between the closest friends) breeds contempt. Always be ready to give more than yon receive—one of the best known maxims for retaining lifelong friendship*.

Visitor i " I suppose you have a gteat j Wife t" My hußband and I never have a dftat of poetry sent in i yon for pub- discussion before the children. If I see a don}'' Editor; " No, not very muoh of quarrel coming on, we always send them Sfal a JuleTiome of i i. vU and «V X^^JSgfP l ** *** *** iottXQQt it Is wdrs«.° [ * tt *W * trM * H*fr oKsas