Page:The Carcanet.djvu/37



In the ordinary course of the world, in that intercourse of flattery and falsehood, where every one deceives and is deceived; where all appear under a borrowed form; profess friendship they do not feel, and bestow praises only .to be praised in return; men bow the lowest to those they,despise most.—But he who lives retired from this ' fcene of delusion expects no compliment from others, and beatows them only where they are deserved. All the insidious giimaces of public life are nothing compared with the inspiring smiles of friendship, which smooth the rugged road, and soften all our toils.

Of what value are all the babblings and vain boastings of society, to that domestic felicity which we experience in the company of an amiable woman, whose charms awaken the dormant faculties of the soul, and fill