“Yes, my dear (answered Mr. Willock, turning over the leaf), it is beautiful, because it expresses a good passion, and one that is very grateful to the mind—the passion of Admiration. Do you recollect how delighted you all were when you were on the sea-coast, and saw the sun rising above the horizon, and the ships sailing before the wind? what you then felt was Admiration. In the passion of Admiration, the mind is occupied with pleasing thoughts, usually accompanied with love, esteem, or veneration for the object; and these sensations that give such a pleasant turn to the features. In this passion (according to Le Brun), the eyebrow rises; the eye opens a little more than ordinary; the eyeball, equally between the eyelids, appears fixed on the object; the mouth half opens; and to this disposition of features, astonishment only exaggerates a little.
“My dear children,” cried Mr. Willock,“I would wish you, as often as possible, to indulge this passion, as it leads to many virtues.—Admiration of the objects of nature brings us to the contemplation of an almighty God, who has filled the universe with the innumerable wonders of creation; and, indeed, it is the whole work of Admiration to prove our dependence on him, and his great power and goodness; for it is impossible, when we view the sun, the moon, and the numberless stars, the wide ocean, and the extensive landscapes covered with pasture, and with herds and flocks, not to reflect, how great and infinitely wise must be the Author of all. This face of Le Brun, you may observe, appears occupied in some such contemplation. It is almost the face of devotion.
“Let us see, my dear children, what then are the most worthy objects of Admiration: They may be principally classed,
“Admiration of the beauty and order of the universe.
“Admiration of the power and goodness of the Almighty, who created all things.
“Admiration of the structure of the human frame, of its strength and powers, and of the animal world.
“Admiration of the goodness of Providence.
“Admiration of the effects of virtue, particularly of industry.
“Admiration of worth, of courage, genius, talent, and of the works of art.