When it is considered, that in the indulgence of the good or bad
Passions of the Human Mind, depends the happiness or misery of mankind,
I shall not be accused of having chosen a subject beneath the province
of my pen; I shall, on the other hand, have my fears even of being
unequal to the task. I indulge, however, a hope, that aided by the
talents of the inimitable LE BRUN, I may be able to place an inscription
at least, beneath the portraits he has so admirably delineated, and
which may have some effect on the mind of the young reader, who, when he
observes that the _best_ people look _best_ and most happy, will be
inclined to become of the _best_.
LECTURE ON THE _PASSIONS_, &c.
A few years ago, there lived a gentleman, in the West of England, whose
name was Willock: he was married to a very amiable lady, and had five
children--three boys and two girls; the boys were named John, William,
and Henry; and the girls, Caroline and Louisa. Mr. Willock was possessed
of a very handsome fortune, but preferred a country to a town life, as
he was very domestic, and his lady equally fond of retirement. The young
people were brought up in the love of God, and of their parents; and
their dispositions were so good, that it was very seldom, indeed, that
either their father or mother had occasion to find fault with them; so
that perhaps there was not any where to be found a more happy family.
Mr. Willock was very fond of his sons and daughters; and, though he was
a man of learning and taste, frequently indulged them with amusements,
which he had the goodness to provide; but these entertainments were
always such as were blended with instruction.
The _young persons_ of Mr. Willock's family were frequently visited by
the _young persons_ of another family, the sons and daughters of a Mr.
Trevor, who resided in the neighbourhood.
It happened one autumn, that Mr. Willock had promised that he would
produce some new entertainment for his young friends, as soon as the
evenings should begin to lengthen; which intimation was not forgotten by
Henry, who was a very clever boy, but rather too impatient.--Henry
eagerly watched for the evenings getting longer; and an observation
which his father accidentally made one day on the subject, was enough
for Henry: he went immediately to his mother, who was seated at the
fireside at work, and whispered her to remind Mr. Willock of his
promise, which was instantly understood by all the rest of the young
people; and "Do, mamma," was repeated by one after the other. Mr.
Willock guessed, without much difficulty, at what was going on, and,
without saying a word, rose up and walked to a table, on which was
placed his letter-case, out of which he took a very handsome, small, red
morocco port-folio. John, William, Henry, Caroline, Louisa, and the two
young visitors, were all at once engaged in a very respectful manner,
for they did not say a word, watching Mr. Willock, with their eyes
sparkling with pleasure and expectation. At length Mr. Willock drew a
chair, and sitting down, told all the young people to draw round the
table, and that he would shew them something which would please them
very much. Henry's eyes were as bright as two stars at this
intelligence. "What is it, papa?" was the next question.--"This book, my
dears," said he, "contains some very curious engravings, the Portraits
of the Passions of the Human Mind, drawn by a very great French artist,
named LE BRUN; but I will explain them to you as I go on. Now then
(continued he, opening the book), the entertainment begins." At these
words, he turned over one of the leaves, and presented the portrait of