As we are beings formed for, and not capable of being happy without, society, it is the duty of every one to endeavor to make it as easy and agreable as they can; which is only to be done by such an attention to others as is consistent with what we owe to ourselves; all we give them in civility will be re-paid us in respect: insolence and ill-breeding are detestable to all mankind. I long to see you, my dear Bell; the delight I have had in your society has spoiled my relish for that of meer acquaintance, however agreable. 'Tis dangerous to indulge in the pleasures of friendship; they weaken one's taste too much for common conversation. Yet what other pleasures are worth the name? what others have spirit and delicacy too? I am preparing for the masquerade, which is to be the 18th; I am extremely disappointed you will not be with us. My dress is simple and unornamented, but I think becoming and prettily fancied; it is that of a French _paisanne_: Lucy is to be a sultana, blazing with diamonds: my mother a Roman matron. I chuse this dress because I have heard my dear Rivers admire it; to be one moment more pleasing in his eyes, is an object worthy all my attention. Adieu! Your faithful Emily Rivers. LETTER 214. To Mrs. Rivers, Bellfield, Rutland. London, Nov. 10. Certainly, my dear, friendship is a mighty pretty invention, and, next to love, gives of all things the greatest spirit to society. And yet the prudery of the age will hardly allow us poor women even this pleasure, innocent as it is. I remember my aunt Cecily, who died at sixty-six, without ever having felt the least spark of affection for any human being, used to tell me, a prudent modest woman never loved any thing but herself. For my part, I think all the kind propensities of the heart ought rather to be cherished than checked; that one is allowed to esteem merit even in the naughty creature, man. I love you very sincerely, Emily: but I like friendships for the men best; and think prudery, by forbidding them, robs us of some of the most lively as well as innocent pleasures of the heart. That desire of pleasing; which one feels much the most strongly for a _male_ friend, is in itself a very agreable emotion. You will say, I am a coquet even in friendship; and I am not quite sure you are not in the right. I am extremely in love with my husband; yet chuse other men should regard me with complacency, am as fond of attracting the attention of the dear creatures as ever, and, though I do justice to your wit, understanding, sentiment, and all that, prefer Rivers's conversation infinitely to yours. Women cannot say civil things to each other; and if they could, they would be something insipid; whereas a male friend-- 'Tis absolutely another thing, my dear; and the first system of ethics I write, I will have a hundred pages on the subject.