ON THE SAME. W HENCE is it, my refpected Audi tors, that in propofing a plan of high enjoyment, drawing a character of true heroism, or describing a scene of action which fhall both intereft and charm, the best judges of life have generally been careful to represent Friendship as a principal part? The reafon must be fought in the fenfations of the foul. Whatever she finds most affecting, noble, or delightful on other accounts, would still appear to her defective, without fome particular reference to this fuperior communion of minds: an image from which, accordingly, the defcriptive and imitative Arts have often derived their chief power to pleafe, and to move. In a word, though men may be frequently entertained and excited by objects that borrow no assistance from the idea now mentioned, it is certain they are never fo fully gratified, or fo feelingly impreffed, as when the friendly ftrings of Nature are touched with the greatest skill, and taught to yield the trueft harmony. But there is no fituation in which this beautiful effect is experienced with fuch advantage as in Distress. Then, indeed, the heart feels a peculiar impatience to pour its ftory into the ear of a Friend, and receive from the mere communication a degree of relief not to be obtained from the whole world befide. The fympathetic tones, with which it is answered by a fpirit in unifon, are then celeftial ravishment. The ftarting tear, the rifing figh, the tender look of fellow-feeling, are, even without a word fpoken, like precious balm to the wounded breaft |