accompanied by these forms, male and female; and
these are incomparably the richest informations of
the power and order that lie at the heart of things.
Unfortunately every one of them bears the marks
as of some injury; is marred and superficially de-
fective. Nevertheless, far different from the deaf
and dumb nature around them, these all rest like
fountain-pipes on the unfathomed sea of thought
and virtue whereto they alone, of all organizations,
are the entrances.

It were a pleasant inquiry to follow into detail
their ministry to our education, but where would it
stop? We are associated in adolescent and adult
life with some friends, who, like skies and waters,
are coextensive with our idea; who, answering
each to a certain affection of the soul, satisfy our
desire on that side; whom we lack power to put at
such focal distance from us, that we can mend or
even analyze them. We cannot choose but love
them. When much intercourse with a friend has
supplied us with a standard of excellence, and has
increased our respect for the resources of God who
thus sends a real person to outgo our ideal; when
he has, moreover, become an object of thought,
and, his character retains all its unconscious
effect, is converted in the mind into solid and sweet
wisdom, -- it is a sign to us that his office is clos-
ing, and he is commonly withdrawn from our sight
in a short time.

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