17–23 March 1834

It occurs that the distinction should be drawn in treating of Friendship between the aid of com- modity which our friends yield us, as in hospitality, gifts, sacrifices, etc., and which, as in the old story about the poor man's will in Montaigne, are evidently esteemed by l;he natural mind (to use such a cant word) the highest manifestations of love ; and, secondly, the spiritual aid, — far more precious and leaving the other at infinite dis- tances,— which our friends afford us, of confes- sion, of appeal, of social stimulus, mirroring our- selves.