by Walter K. Kelly.
Originally published in The National Magazine (National Magazine Company) #2 (Dec 1856).
HE IS MY FRIEND WHO GRINDS AT MY MILL, that is, who is profitable to me; a vile sentiment, if understood too absolutely. But the proverb is rather to be interpreted as offering a test by which genuine friendship may be distinguished from its counterfeit. "Acts are love, and not fair speeches" (Span.),—Obras son amores que no buenas razones. "If you love me, John, your acts will tell me so" (Span.),—Si bien me quieres, Juan, tas obras me lo diran. "In the world you have three sorts of friends," says Chamfort; "your friends who love you, your friends who do not care about you, and your friends who hate you."
ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN IN THE BEST-REGULATED FAMILIES.
"There is a skeleton in every house;" or, as the Spaniards have it, No hay casa do no haya su calla, calla,,—There is no house but has its "Hush! hush!"—The English proverb is generally used in a jocular sense.