Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-06-06
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
Friendship.

Friendship.
Respectfully inscribed TO Mollie ofthe Social
Circle
Say not that friendships but name,
True friendship never dies
AZ attribute Of Heaven--a fame
-. t,,.s Rss 4 sias angels srtsOs ssss
What gift can be bestowed on man. what
blessing lavished upon our race, more cal
culated to relieve the dull tedium of life,
than that of social intercourse! None
For without it our passage over the stormy
waves of lfe's tempestuous sea would be
blank, dreary and forlorn. In every stage
o fife, from childhoods sunny hour to man
hoods wintry age; in every arduous per
suit, whether for gain or knowledge, we need
for our encouragement words and smiles of
appreciation, to cheer US onward to the ac-
complshment Of our designs.
When the dark wings of misfortune
hover around our pathway, when disappoint-
ments crowd upon US blasting and blight
ing our fondest hopes, tbs then consola-
tion to have a true and valued friend
When relatives and companions are torn
from US by the cold hand of death and borne
down TO the geld chambers of Erebus.
in Affections sad and lonely hour, and in the
night of death, the voice of friendship can
gently soothe the troubled spirit and check
the heaving sigh
1t has been the poets theme, the sub ject
of unnumbered lines, and the connecting
| link to unite US to those we cherish and es-
! TEEN. The one who roams unloved, un-
cherished, lost to all, save the erratic work
ings of his own creative genius. finds little
or no delight in those convivial feelings
e which spring up spontaneously in the hu'
, man breast which persons of congenial tastes
s and feelings can only realize. This noble
: character is priced by men and angels If
r there is one sight upon which angels delight
= to look more than another, it is pure, dis
interested friendship, whose two hearts are
q united with no other desire than the promo
e tion of each others good. 1t imparts ceies-
i tial grandeur to the human soul. Without
}, it, life is divested of every charm.
s Doubtless, the greatest instance of dis
e interested friendship upon record, is that Of
l. Damon and Pythias. Damon was senten-
t. ced by Dionysius, of Syracuse. to be exc
e cuted upon certain cay; he begged per-
d mission, in the interim, to visit his country
ID and friends. This the King intended dog
u matically to refuse, by granting it upon the
ut impossible condition (as he thought) of his
ne procuring some one to remain as hostage fol
as his return, under equal forfeiture of life
I'd No sooner had Pythias heard these condi
tions than he offered himself as security fo
or his friend, which being accepted Damon wa
d, set at liberty. This greatly surprised tn
To King and all his courtiers, and as the da,
:! of execution drew near, his Majesty had tn
ly, curiosity to visit Pythias in his prison; an
in in conversation with him gave it as hi
opinion, that selfinterest was the sole move
lp- of human actions; as for virtue, friendship
love of ones country, and the like, he lool
ng ed upon them as terms invented by the wis
de to keep in awe and impose upon the veal
'ge The prisoner replied, that, if it were possib
= he would suffer thousand deaths ratht
life than his friend should fail 10 any article
md his honor, implored the God to preserve Il
She life and honor of Damon together, calle
of upon the winds to oppose him and preve
tile his arrival untl by his death he had +
Tho deemed life, which, he said, was tho
hid sand times Of more consequence, of mo
value, than his own. This convinced Il
Iost proud King that friendship is more than
as name.
nd. The fatal day arrived: Pythias W
and brought forth and descended the scaffold,
lrm martyr. Dionysius was there, exalted
the a moving throne, drawn by six white hors
off and sat pensive and attentive to the prise
i'm er, who beheld before him the preparatio
his for his death, and with placid countenan
ears addressing the spectators he thanked G
now that his prayers were herd, that the wir
had opposed Damon assured them it v
x impossibilities that had prevented him fr
being there; that if he could erase fr
N%' their bosoms every mean suspicion for
eek honor of the man for whom he was about
pom die that he could go to his death as to
= a bridal. Fearing lest he should come bef
iea- the executioner should do his duty, he or
'hl. =. aloud: Executioner do your office j
III, hi0 at that critical juncture, buzz began tC
aool rise among the remotest of the people
you distant voice was heard the assembly eau
cart ro;torotod he tho wboIo orouJ mon 20
ioi at full speed he was mounted on a st
=, Of foam in an instant be was off his hol
r.oeo on the scafold and in the embrace of
rings thias be cried: You are safe my frie
e ne my beloved friend-the Gods be prais
nc you are safe. | have nothing but dealt
rsGto suffer and am delivered from the angus
"a Oy those reproaches which have myself,
eu'- having endangered life so much de
some than my own Pale, cold and half spe
= !. was less, in the arms Of Damon, Pythias rep
Ior NO in broken accents: Fatal haste! cruel
n's oi patience What envious power hath wrol
nau impossbilities in your favor. But
aVen' not be wholly disappointed. Since l
'inner not die to save you, will not survive J
nine Dionysius was an astonished spectato
ce'- His heart was greatly moved and be
) VINO vent TO his grief in tears, and leavin
I'M ne throne he assembled the scafold: Live
winch ye incompatible pair he cried, 'ye
borne unquestionable testimony of the
'er ne tence of virtue, and that virtue eq
=, en- evinces the existence of God to rewa
epara