ATTENTION.
“Oh dear!” was now the general exclamation among the young people, while the eyes of all of them were in an instant fixed on the same object. “Pray, sir, whose portrait is that?” cried John, the eldest boy.—“That, my dear,” said Mr. Willock, “is your face, and the face of all of you at this moment.”—“Indeed, papa,” cried Henry, “you are only jesting with us; for I am sure that it is not in the least like me.”—“Well then,” said Mr. Willock, “look at your brother William, and tell me if it is not like him.”—“Yes, indeed, papa,” cried Henry; “he makes just such another face.”—“True, my dear Henry,” returned Mr. Willock; “and so do each of you; because this is the face of Attention, which each of you show at this moment. Only observe how the eyebrows sink and approach the sides of the nose—how the eyeballs turn towards the object of notice—how the mouth opens, and especially the upper part—how the head declines a little, and becomes fixed in that posture, without any remarkable alteration—such,” said he, “is the portrait of Attention, drawn by Le Brun.
“But now, my dear children,” continued Mr. Willock, “as I have showed you the picture of Attention, it will be proper that I should describe the passion to you. Attention is implanted in us by nature, as the means by which we may become acquainted with the objects of our curiosity, and is a virtue, whenever a proper object is selected. The face is then always interesting, however intent it may appear; but it is the choice of a proper object which can alone make this passion of value, and truly estimable. Attention is therefore either praiseworthy or not, according to the object it selects. Praiseworthy Attentions are chiefly as follow:—
“Attention to the duties of religion.
“Attention of children to parents.
“Attention of young people to their studies.
“Attention to our friends and acquaintance.
“Attention to the sick.