What though on Love’s altar the flame that is glowing Is brighter?--yet Friendship’s is steadier far! One wavers and turns with each breeze that is blowing, And is but a meteor,--the other’s a star! In youth Love’s light Burns warm and bright, But dies ere the winter of age be past,-- While Friendship’s flame Burns ever the same, And glows but the brighter, the nearer its last! _Anon._ * * * * * Thanks to my stars, I have not ranged about The wilds of life, ere I could find a friend: Nature first pointed out my brother to me, And early taught me, by her sacred force, To love thy person, ere I knew thy merit, Till what was instinct grew up into friendship. Ours has severest virtue for its basis, And such a friendship ends not but with life. _Addison._ * * * * * O! Friendship! in thy constant ray, My heart is cheered and cannot sink, Though gloom and storm around me play And I am pressed to death’s cold brink! _Peerbold._ * * * * * The friend Who smiles when smoothing down the lonely couch, And does kind deeds, which any one can do Who has a feeling spirit,--such a friend Heals with a searching balsam. _Percival._ * * * * * Delightful is an evening’s cheerful chat With pleasant friends, especially to one Who has been long away. The minutes run With speed that all the talkers marvel at. So much to talk about--so much to tell-- So many sleeping memories to awaken-- The various fates that absent friends befell-- Whom time has spared, and whom the grave has taken; The tear to shed for those who’ve passed away-- The sigh to breathe for those who’ve gone astray-- Our times of darkness, and our days of light-- Our purposes and plans for coming years-- Our heavenly hopes, our earthly human fears-- And lo! ’tis time to say, “Good-night, dear friends, good-night!” _MacKellar._ TUBEROSE.... _Dangerous Love_.