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an affectionate concern in the welfare of others⟨.⟩ Through the wiſe order of nature, this leſſon has already been taught you, in your domeſtic relations. Love to your parents, to your brothers and ſiſters and to other near kindreds, are affections which have already taken deep root in your heart, and which have been gathering ſtrength through every advancing year of infancy, childhood, and youth, ſtill cheriſh theſe tender and generous feelings: they will be the ſourſe of the pureſt pleaſures in the immediate exerciſe; and they will become a ſtock, upon which may be grafted every noble and diſintereſted ſentiment of friendſhip, patrotiſm, and philanthropy⟨.⟩
The youthful heart is commonly open to the impreſſions of friendſhip, and ready to attach itſelf with ardour to ſome kindred ſoul, with which it may participate all the ſatisfactions of mutual confidence⟨.⟩ In forming ſuch attachments, you ſhould, however, be careful, that the perſon whom you make choice of as your friend, be poſſeſſed of that ſterling merit which will bear the ſtricteſt ſecurity; endued with diſcretion, to ſecure you from hazard in the free communication of your thoughts; adorned with good temper, and amiable manners to render the connection pleaſant: and bleſſed with ſenſibility and generoſity to repay the affection you beſtow.
You naturally look forward to the time
