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This essay appeared in the June 1793 edition of the Massachusetts Magazine under the name "Constantia." It examines the strength of friendship.


The Repository. No. X.
 
HOW dignified is that friendship, which is planted in the cementing love of [E]mmanuel; that is warmed by the genial influence of sentiments exactly similar, and refreshed by the kindly showers, (rendered more copious by mutual adversity) which fall from pity's eye. It is brought to perfection, by the arm sunshine of many hours, sacred to the refinements of intellectual improvement. It stands the shock of the rude winds of slander; it has shook off the debating branches of mistrust and diffidence, which the adversary had endeavoured firmly to engraft; it hath survived the congealing frost of repeated absences -- It hath eluded the missive shafts of secret machinations, and it riseth superiour to the united efforts of malevolence and envy.

CONSTANTIA

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2007 © Bonnie Hurd Smith

Independent scholar and author Bonnie Hurd Smith is the president and CEO of History Smiths, a marketing company that works with businesses to incorporate history -- their own and their community's -- into their branding, marketing, and community outreach to attract customers, boost customer loyalty, and secure a high status reputation in the communities they serve.