But let us drop so painful a subject.
Adieu!
Your affectionate
Ed. Rivers.
LETTER CXCVII.201.
To Colonel Rivers, Bellfield, Rutland.
Oct. 19.
Nothing, my dear Rivers, shews the value of friendship more than the envy it excites.
The world will sooner pardon us any advantage, even wealth, genius, or beauty, than that of having a faithful friend; every selfish bosom swells with envy at the sight of those social connexions, which are the cordials of life, and of which our narrow prejudices alone prevent our enjoyment.
Those who have neither hearts to feel this generous affection, nor merit to deserve it, hate all who are in this respect happier than themselves; they look on a friend as an invaluable blessing, and a blessing out of their reach; and abhor all who possess the treasure for which they sigh in vain.
For my own part, I had rather be the dupe of a thousand false professions of friendship, than, for fear of being deceived, give up the pursuit.
Dupes are happy at least for a time; but the cold, narrow, suspicious heart never knows the glow of social pleasure.