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ad to all those ne blush; and and free sentiand happier. I friendship is best age; but I have her mind, that you rear eiling you a few 20 mat opinion. vacie, that the love we sh caused by our findthem, which we feel in -love at the bottom: w people of different ages dations of such being comsendship of two young men ove of pleasure or voluptusuous for his own sake, of in the courses he pur

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Ah, for the old man will grow

eable to please the young one; and the more discreet and prudent by the help a one: so it may prove a cure of those epiI diseases of age and youth, sourness and ess. I hope you will not need many arguments convince you of the possibility of this; one alone bundantly satisfies me and convinces to the heart, which is, that' young as I am, and old as you are, I am your entirely affectionate, etc.

LETTER VII. .

June 23, 1705.

I SHOULD believe myself happy in your good opinion, but that you treat me so much in a style of compliment. It hath been observed of women, that they are more subject in their youth to be touched with vanity, than men, on account of their being generally treated this way; but the weakest women are not more weak than that class of men, who are thought to pique themselves upon their Wit. The world is never wanting, when a coxcomb is accomplishing himself, to help to give him the finishing

stroke.

Every man is apt to think his neighbour overstocked with vanity, yet I cannot but fancy there are certain times, when most people are in a disposition of being informed; and 'tis incredible what a vast

1 Mr. Wycherley was at this time about seventy years old,

Mr. Pope under seventeen,

sign is to encourage me. But I separate from all the rest that paragraph or two, in which you make me so warm an offer of your friendship. Were I possessed of that, it would put an end to all those speeches with which you now make me blush; and change them to wholesome advices, and free sentiments, which might make me wiser and happier. I know 'tis the general opinion, that friendship is best contracted betwixt persons of equal age; but I have so much interest to be of another mind, that you must pardon me if I cannot forbear telling you a few notions of mine in opposition to that opinion.

In the first place 'tis observable, that the love we bear to our friends, is generally caused by our finding the same dispositions in them, which we feel in ourselves. This is but self-love at the bottom: whereas the affection betwixt people of different ages cannot well be so, the inclinations of such being commonly various. The friendship of two young men is often occasioned by love of pleasure or voluptuousness, each being desirous, for his own sake, of one to assist or encourage him in the courses he pursues; as that of two old men is frequently on the score of some profit, lucre, or design upon others. Now, as a young man, who is less acquainted with the ways of the world, has in all probability less of interest; and an old man, who may be weary of himself, has, or should have less of self-love; so the friendship between them is the more likely to be true, and unmixed with too much self-regard. One may add to this, that such a friendship is of greater use and advantage to both; for the old man will grow

gay and agreeable to please the young one; and the young man more discreet and prudent by the help of the old one: so it may prove a cure of those epidemical diseases of age and youth. sourness and madness. I hope you will not need many arguments to convince you of the possibility of this; one alone abundantly satisfies me and convinces to the heart, which is, that young as I am, and old as you are, I am your entirely affectionate, etc.

LETTER VII. .

June 23, 1705.

I SHOULD believe myself happy in your good opinion, but that you treat me so much in a style of compliment. It hath been observed of women, that they are more subject in their youth to be touched with vanity, than men, on account of their being ve nerally treated this way; but the weakest women are not more weak than that class of wea, who we thought to pique themselves upon the We Tres world is never wanting, when a corumiss wom plishing himself, to help to give in the fursang

stroke.

Every man is apt to think is angs van kran stocked with vanity, yet I amet ne facry fans yes certain times, when most people we ha of being informed; and ta mered beat a rast

Mr. Wycherley was at Sime wont seventy years did, Mr. Pope under seventeen.

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aught do, spoken in such seasons. will do a great kindness to people in

Ame an acquaintance of yours, who would A think himself more obliged to you for amation of his faults, than the confirmation Are Rillion. If you would make those the subject letter, it might be as long as I could wish

As always were.

your

I do not wonder you have hitherto found some difficulty (as you are pleased to say) in writing to me, since you have always chosen the task of commending me take but the other way, and, I dare engage, you will find none at all.

As for my verses, which you praise so much, I may truly say they have never been the cause of any vanity in me, except what they gave me when they first occasioned my acquaintance with you. But I have several times since been in danger of this vice; as often, I mean, as I received any letters from you. Tis certain, the greatest magnifying glasses in the world are a man's own eyes, when they look upon his own person; yet even in those, I cannot fancy myself so extremely like Alexander the Great, as you would persuade me. If I must be like him, 'tis you will make me so, by complimenting me into a better opinion of myself than I deserve: They made him think he was the son of Jupiter, and you assure me I am a man of parts. But is this all you can say to my honour! you said ten times as much before, when you call'd me your friend. After having made me believe I possess'd a share in your affection, to

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