Indeed,  if  the  first  objects  of  our  affection  had  the  best
claim  to  be  received  into  that  rank,  our  nurses  and  our
pedagogues  would  certainly  have  a  right  to  the  most
considerable  share  of  our  regard.  Some  degree  of  it  is
unquestionably  due  to  them,  but  of  a  kind,  however,  far


302  IJELIUS;    OR,

different  from  that  which  is  the  subject  of  our  present
inquiry.  The  truth  is,  were  our  early  attachments  the
just  foundation  of  amity,  it  would  be  impossible  that  the
union  should  ever  be  permanent.  For  our  inclinations
and  pursuits  take  a  different  turn  as  we  advance  into
riper  years  ;  and  where  these  are  no  longer  similar,  the
true  cement  of  friendship  is  dissolved.  It  is  the  total
disparity  between  the  disposition  and  manners  of  the
virtuous  and  the  vicious  that  alone  renders  their  coalition
incompatible.
There  is  a  certain  intemperate  degree  of  affection  to
wards  one's  friends  which  it  is  necessary  to  restrain,  as
the  indulging  of  it  has  frequently,  and  in  very  important
situations,  proved  extremely  prejudicial  to  their  interest.
