Or is there occasion to dwell on that instance which enshrines elements of sweetness even beyond these, the friendship between Michael Angelo and Vittoria Colonna? Think of the inspired and self-centred artist, living alone with his dreams of matchless beauty, meeting no man worthy of admittance even to the threshold of his affections, he who could write from Rome to his nephew in Florence, “I have no friends; I need none and wish none;” finding at last in the noble and tender soul of this distinguished woman the sentiments and sympathy for which he had been unconsciously longing, and which were necessary to complete the symmetry of both his own life and hers! * * * * * The burden laid on Beauty is, that it can have many lovers but no friends. * * * * * A very positive character is at first pleasing. We ourselves are troubled by so many problems that it is a relief to think,――“Here is one who has solved them all.” But we soon find that such characters merely slam the door in the face of importunate inquiries. * * * * * Men’s characters are polar forces; the stronger they repel some, the stronger they attract others. * * * * * The society of those who enjoy is alone enjoyable. * * * * * Be select in your friends, but miscellaneous in your acquaintances. Ask not sympathy from the latter nor assistance from the former. * * * * * If you would keep friends, shun explanations. * * * * * If you doubt the persistence in adversity of what is called friendship, make friends with an impecunious debtor. * * * * * Men admire women who try to please them; women admire men who, they believe, have qualities worthy of admiration. * * * * * We like those who can be useful to us, and love those to whom we can be useful. * * * * * The secret of gaining friends is to cultivate within ourselves the capacity for friendship. * * * * * New acquaintances cannot take the place of old friends; but when your teeth wear out, an artificial denture is a vast advantage over bare gums. * * * * * Be sure that the man who boasts of a hundred friends, has none. V. _Love, Marriage, and the Family Relation._ “It is not good that the man should be alone.” Venerable maxim! First reflection of the Creator on the species! Standing condemnation of all schemes of celibacy, of all orders of monks and nuns, vestals and spiritual eunuchs!