Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-11-16
FR1ENDSHIP-Essa by Cicero, Bacol

Observation-Disclosures by Cicero, Bacon
and Emerson. Octave, gilt top, white
parchment cloth, S. Albert Scott 81 Co.,
Chicago, publishers.
This book beautiful in it's exterior, is a
collection of thoughts upon friendship by
three of the subtlest minds the world has
ever known. Il was bright conception on
the part of the publishers to prepare so
beautiful casket for these bright gems,
particularly as the gift-making season ap-
proacheS.
The first essay is '.De Amicitia,'' by
Cicero, second only in beauty of diction and
eXGuiSitenesS of thought to the celebrated
DE Senectute'' This clear thinker holds
friendship to be necessity, and to be pre-
ferred before all human possessions, defin-
ing it to be q complete union of feeling on
all things human and divine, accompanied
by kindly feeling and attachment; also that
it cannot be widely dispersed, but must be
confined to two, or at most very few. The
bond between friends, he believes, should
be so close that no thought of infideity is
possible in a friendship that has the ap-
proval Of the Judgment previous to an en-
listment of the affections. He holds like
wise that its obligations are only ranked
by loyalty to ones country, and that real
friendship can only exist between the good.
Ambition and covetousness he considers
its greatest enemies, these two
often causing the most bitter en-
mites to arise between dearest
friends. The essay abounds in illusions to
the noted friendships of his time with
which all readers of classic literature are
familiar, and sums up his argument In an
expression of his belief that while there is
nothing in the world more excellent than
friendship, without virtue for foundation
it cannot possibly exist
Cicero stands for the days of classic liter.
allure in Rome, and in the sarle exalted posi-
ton is Bacon in the Elizabethan period of
English literature. In the quaint English
of that period he expresses his valuation of
friendship; with him this emotion opens a
way for an easing of heart burdens, relief
that no man however high his state is be-
yond the need of, and cites in support of
this view the record of friends which con-
suls, commanders, kings and emperors
have sought out. This is what friendship
does for thes affections, and this essayist
deems it quite as healtnful and sovereign
for the understanding, having belief that
in the communion of friends there is an en-
fragment of understanding and a gain of
keenness in perception which does not ac-
company a life of isolation. Lastly he utter5
that truism Solomon so tersely states
Faithful are the wounds of a friend" and
believes that genuine friendship will afford
an effectual antidote to that most insidious
of enemies, self-love; sentiment which is
fostered by the tiattery of others. A friend
he regards as a more reliable counsellor and
more efficient aid than the nearest kinsman
and concludes his essay by saying: 81 have
given the rule; where 4 man cannot
fifty play his own part if he have
not friend he may quit the STAGE
The last of this glorious trio, and great
among moderns is Emerson, whose gentle
spirit and loving nature is traceable in every
line Emerson loved much and there has
been no thinker in modern times better
qualified to discourse wisely upon bond
that is wrought of love for ones fellow.
Emerson treats the subject under considera-
ton in his own peculiar fashion, dwelling
more upon the sentiment as it affects ones
own nature than upon the practical benefits
to accrue from such a union. Perfect
friendship, he believes, is seldom found,
because to maintain it is only possible to
rare and costly natures. That he values it
is shown By his charge in speaking OF loyal
friends in that he says: "Guard him as
thy great counterpart; have princedom in
thy friehd.''
These three essays are complete in all
that need be known as to the value of
friendship, and they are further, for in
them one may learn how to select, how to
keep and how to use them, what we should
expect of them and what they are to expect
of US. This book, SO chastely bound, will
make pretty gift to- one we can call
friend according to Cicero, Bacon and EN-
erson.