The worlds olio written by the Right Honorable, the Lady Margaret Newcastle.

What Natures bar Friendship, and what make it.

THere are few Men can be true Friends; A Cautious Man, a Politician, a Casuist, a Jealous and an Amorous Man, a Cholerick and Exceptious, a Facile, a False, and Envious, a Re∣vengefull, nor a Coward, or Fearfull Man, for all their Hu∣mours turn the Byas of Friendship another way: Wherefore a Friend must be Wise, Honest, Valiant, Generous, Constant, Sweet, and Patient Man. But these Virtues seldome meet in one Person, which makes so many Professions, and so few Perfor∣mances in Friendships: yet most think they could be Perfect Friends, although nothing harder to perform: for true Friend∣ships are neither confirmed, nor known, but in Extremities, and those Extremities are seldome put in use, which makes Friend∣ships like Bonds that are unsealed: Neither can a Man so truly know himself, much less another, as to be assured of having a true and a constant Friend, but by being, one himself; for a Man may be a Friend in one Extremity, and an Enemy in the next;

nay, a Man may be a Friend a thousand years, and in as many Extremities (if it were possible) and yet one minute may alter him; so Various and Inconstant are the Passions and Affections of Men, and so little do they know themselves, as not onely to be willing to dye, but to have the Courage to endure all the Torments that Life can bear, and yet at some other times of their Lives are so fearfull, as they will part from that which is most dear, but for hopes of Life, or ease from Pain, besides other se∣veral Accidents of less Consequence than Life, that may cross Friendship; which makes an Impossibility of Friendship in this World, unless a Man had an absolute power over himself, or that he had an unalterable Nature, which is onely in the Society of Angels, and not in the Friendships of Men. But those that may be accounted Friends amongst Mankind, are those that do timely Curtesies; and to choose Friends otherwise, is out of a foolish and affected Humour; for one cannot say, I will choose me a Friend for Conversation onely, but that is no Friendship that is but a Companion; so an Acquaintance, and a Companion, and a Friend, are several: for I may have an Acquaintance with one, and yet not my Companion; and my Companion, and not my Friend; but a Friend makes the Triangle.