The Arkansas banner., 1844-10-23
Salt River.


 FROM 4 GENTLEMAN TO FRIEND SOLICIT
 ING His ACCEPTANCE AND BOND.
 MY DEAR RICHARD; In this our fleeting life. how few are the opportunities afforded us of really testing the hearts of our friends Sorry, indeed, should be for my own nature. were of the barren creed of those who, from the depths of their would-be-wisdom, smile knowingly at friendship, as though, like the word phGnix, it spoke of something very fine; but very fabulous; spicy monster, building in the clouds, and never known to descend upon earth. No; l should be among the most insensble of my.kin-a very savage oi social iie-did fail to worship in my inner most heart as virtue illustrated by one ol the nobest of created men. Forgive me il l do not name him; for true worth~ like the rose, giH blush at its own sweetness
 Truly, il Is pleasant to hear men abuse the world, as though, lorsooth. they themselves were the only shining exceptions from the general selhshness they condemn. When hear man cry out, it is bad world,' must of course lump him with the aggregate lnquity; for how can he have the enormous vanity to select himself as one pure Adam from naughty millions? No, Richards; be il my faith to think the best Of the world be il my special felicity to know that hold the heart-ay, as though 1t were in my heart-ol the truest and the best of friends. But what indeed, is friendship, if it be not active; What, but a harp, or the diyinest of Cremo- mas. resting in silence--all the melodious ravishing sounds that Wait our spirits and hearts to the clouds, sleeping ill their strings dumb sleep, So is it with the heart of a true friend until touched by the wants of his companion.
 My dear Richards, enclose you bill of hundred and fifty pounds. That bill like the harp or fiddle l have spoken of, is now as a dead thing. But only write across 1t, eAccepted, John Richards,o and 1t will have voice of gold-yes, it will ring with sover- eigns Oh, friendshipl thou divinest alche- mist. that man should ever prolane thee Send the bill back by post, as must have the cash tomorrow.
 have many acquaintanees, any of. whom would have gone through the little form (lof 1t is only form) ask of you. But no should have thought such an act on my part treason to our friendship. You know my dear boy, that am apt to be imaginative 
 and thus, it is a sweet and peculiar pleasure to me to fancy both our names linked indis- olubly together-the union legalized by Q five shilling stamp-each adding value to the other by being paired. Thus, it almost seems to me, that we merge two souls into one that in very truth, by the potent spell O friendship, we are no longer single, but bount together by bond unknown to those pagan' of the ancient time Orestes and Pylades Da mon and Pythias.
 Yes; with slight flourish of the pen, wt shall feel what once thought impossible, z greater interest in one another We shal know that our names, written upon accredited paper, pass in the world as symbols of gold you will have turned ink-drops into ready money, and I shall have received it. Tht roses that wreathe around the stamp are, tt my minds eye, Richards, the very types O our minds. Do not, however, fail to pos the bill tonight
 There is-I believe he calls it-a bond ol my account for three or four hundreds, tc which a troublesome attorney wants you name Come and breakfast with me ol I Monday, my dear boy, and it shall be ready for you. Heaven bless you.
 Your friend, 10 the Place of Tombs,
 MONTAGUE ST. GEORGE. ! P. S. have pate dc foie gras, which