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 loveof 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.
Theyoung personsof Mr. Willock’s family were frequently visited by theyoung personsof 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, namedLe 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
“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 onlyjesting 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 doeachof you; because this is the face ofAttention, whicheachof 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 ofAttention, drawn by Le Brun.
“But now, my dear children,” continued Mr. Willock, “as I have showed you the picture ofAttention, it will be proper that I should describe the passion to you.Attentionis 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.Attentionis therefore either praiseworthy or not, according to the object it selects. Praiseworthy Attentions are chiefly as follow:—
“Attentionto the duties of religion.
“Attentionof children to parents.
“Attentionof young people to their studies.
“Attentionto our friends and acquaintance.
“Attentionto the sick.
“Attentionto business.
“Attentionto dress.
“Attentionto the duties of religion, such as praying to God, and attending the divine service, is not only the most delightfulAttentionthat can be paid, but is of most advantage to us, as by it we secure the blessing of Providence upon our actions, and it is only a preparation for the numerous comforts we enjoy.
“Attentionof children to parents who have taken care of them from infancy, being a proof of a grateful mind, is always lovely and praiseworthy.
“Attentionof young people to their studies is the only way for them to acquire improvement, for without it they must remain for ever in ignorance; for instance, if, when I shewed you this portrait, you were all the time playing, or thinking of something else, you could never know whatAttentionmeant, nor the advantages to be gained by it.
“Attentionto our friends and acquaintance, particularly to the aged, is not only a duty, but shows our politeness and good breeding.
“Attentionto the sick is required from us by the precepts of religion, and by the need we may some day have for suchAttentionourselves.
“Attentionto business merely consists in minding what we havegot to do, and is always rewarded with profit.
“Attentionto dress is necessary, as far as relates to cleanliness and propriety, but no further; and you will observe, that there are many other Attentions which rank before it.
“There is anotherAttention, which may be calledAttentionto trifles, which ought only to be paid when there is not any thing more worthy of our regard which ought to have the preference.
“But as you have all of you been so attentive, I will tell you a story, which will show you the great virtue and use ofAttention,
“Charles and George were twin brothers, the children of Mr. Wilson, a gentleman of small income, butwho had nevertheless given them an excellent education. Both Charles and George were boys of naturally good dispositions; but Charles was careless, and George thoughtful: George always paid attention to what was said to him, and Charles did not. Charles was clever, and George rather dull; but the attention which George paid to his studies was so great, that he presently got the start of his brother. Charles was very much astonished when he found that George understood Latin better than himself, and was not aware that his deficiency was entirely owing to the want ofAttention.
“One day, when George and Charles were both of them very young, their father, who was a wise and good man, made each of thema present of a duplicate of this portrait, with strict injunctions to keep them safe, and to look at them often.
“George had made a great many friends when young, by theAttentionhe was always disposed to pay to his acquaintance, and particularly one old gentleman, who was very infirm, and who received his civilities with great kindness; Charles, on the contrary, as he did not care for any one, so there were very few but his parents who cared for him.
“At length George and Charles were both of them sent into the world, and placed in the counting-houses of merchants of eminence, who were friends of Mr. Wilson.—George immediately began to payAttentionto business, and Charles was asinattentiveas ever. Georgewas always employed, and Charles did nothing but follow pleasure. Now there is not any thing more agreeable than amusement, when it does not interfere with business; but at the same time, there is not any thing that can be more dangerous, when it does.
“In a few years, Charles and George were established in business as Leghorn merchants, by the liberality of their father, who left himself but a very small income to live upon. Mr. Wilson had, however, the pleasure to see both his children well circumstanced, and in a way of making fortunes, before his death, which happened shortly after.
“George paid so much attention to his concerns, that he was already in a way of getting rich; and, in addition to his own industry, he had the pleasure to reap the benefit of his kindness and attention to the infirm old gentleman, who died about this time, and left him his whole property.
“Charles, during the whole time of his being in London, had not visited his brother more than three times; and though George had frequently called to see him, he never took any notice of his kindness, but altogether neglected him. Charles was engaged wholly in folly and extravagance, and was going on in a very bad way; in short, his concerns had been so mismanaged that he was on the point of becoming a bankrupt.
“One day, Charles returned home to his house, in great distress of mind, as he had not been able to make up apayment on which his credit depended. He had occasion to examine his desk to find some papers of consequence, when, in his search, he happened to lay his hand upon, and unrolled theneglectedgift of his father, the portrait ofAttention.
“Charles burst into tears when he beheld the picture, and threw himself in an agony of despair upon his bed, when a letter was brought him by the servant from an acquaintance, which informed him that his brother George was very ill. Charles, for the first time in his life, felt that he had neglected his brother, for the portrait ofAttentionhad made an impression upon his mind. He arose immediately, and went to the house of Mr. George Wilson, but found that he kept his bed: he was however admitted; and George, who had not expected such a visitor, was nearly overcome at the sight of his brother. They embraced: and Charles, who had happened to have heard of a case similar to his brother’s which had been managed with great success by his own physician, sent for him, while he remained at the bed-side. In the course of conversation, George inquired very kindly after the state of his brother’s affairs, and told him, that he hoped he was going on prosperously. Charles, with a heart full of pain, only gave evasive answers; and on his brother’s insisting that something pressed on his spirits, took his leave.
“Mr. George Wilson presently got well by the advice of the physician, who understood his case perfectly;and the very first thing that he did was to call upon his brother Charles, to thank him for his kindAttention, which had been the means of restoring him to health.
“George, having found the door open, walked immediately towards his brother’s counting-house, when he heard some very strong language, and found his brother engaged in conversation with one of his principal creditors, who threatened to make him a bankrupt, if he did not immediately come to a settlement.
“George had been noticed by his brother, and could see, in his turn, that Charles was sensible that he had heard every thing. George, therefore, begged of the creditor to acquaint him of the cause of his treating a merchant of eminencewith so little respect. The creditor made answer, that payment had been put off continually, and that he would wait no longer. George requested to know the amount of the debt, which was five thousand pounds, and, with a heart full of love and joy, sat down instantly at the desk, and having drawn a cheque on his banker for that amount, put it into the hands of his brother, saying at the same time, ‘My dear Charles, this is but a small return for the kindAttentionyou shewed me a few days ago.’—The creditor retired satisfied, and Charles embraced his brother, while the tears of gratitude for such a timely assistance flowed from his eyes.
“George now desired to know the real state of his brother’s affairs,which, after some difficulty, he was prevailed upon to disclose, and which were as bad as they could be. However, such was the prudence andAttentionof Mr. George Wilson, that he soon presented his brother with a plan, by which, withAttention, he might extricate himself. Charles, thoroughly sensible of his brother’s advice, forsook his former propensities, and paid the necessaryAttentionto his affairs; when his difficulties lessened by degrees; and at length he had the pleasure to find himself out of debt, and is now a rich man.—Thus, my dear children, you see that the veryfirstmark ofAttentionof Charles was blessed with a speedy and successful return of good, and led to prosperity. It was too much to expect that he should reap as greata harvest as his brother, because he had been wanting of the same industry; nevertheless, as soon as he determined to be industrious and careful, he found that—TopayAttention, is toreceiveProfit.”
The young people had been extremely attentive during the whole time that Mr. Willock was relating the history of George and Charles Wilson, and seemed not only very much pleased with the story, but convinced of the truth of its moral—thatto pay attention is to receive profit.
Caroline began now to show some impatience to see the next picture, and contrived to peep under one corner, when she cried out, “Oh dear! what a beautiful face!”—It was
ADMIRATION.
“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 ofAdmiration. 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 wasAdmiration. In the passion ofAdmiration, 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 eyeopens 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.—Admirationof 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 ofAdmirationto 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 extensivelandscapes 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 ofAdmiration: They may be principally classed,
“Admirationof the beauty and order of the universe.
“Admirationof the power and goodness of the Almighty, who created all things.
“Admirationof the structure of the human frame, of its strength and powers, and of the animal world.
“Admirationof the goodness of Providence.
“Admirationof the effects of virtue, particularly of industry.
“Admirationof worth, of courage, genius, talent, and of the works of art.
“Admirationof the beauty and order of the universe, is the first in which we become engaged. We see, you know, my dears, the same blessed sun, the fountain of heat, light, and life, return to us every day:—clouds may sometimes obscure it, but it soon appears again, to convince us that its presence is ordered by the Creator, to cherish the animal world, and every plant and flower that grows. If it is night, and we view the stars, what can we conjecture but that they must be placed in the firmament by an Almighty hand? and it is this reflection that occasionedone of our poets, Dr. Young, to say,
“An undevout astronomer is mad;” because he could not believe that any person who had his senses would not pause with Admiration, and adore the Being who created these wonders of the heavens. “Go to the window, my dear William,” said Mr. Willock, “and look at them for a moment; they have just begun to appear.”
William went to the window, and all the rest of the young people followed him. Mr. Willock named to them some of the principal stars; they were quite delighted; and when he described to them the course of the planets, and that for many thousand years the same order had been preserved, their faces showed thedisposition of features which belong toAdmiration.
After they had perused the stars for a little time, Mr. Willock called their attention again to the picture. “Let us now, my dear children,” said he,“consider what must be the power and goodness of the Almighty, who created all these things; what can we conceive of the hand that could fix a ball of fire in the heavens, of the magnitude of the sun? but ourAdmirationincreases when we reflect, that it is that fire which occasions the plant and the herb to grow. You know, that in the winter the ground is bare; but when spring appears, and when the sun approaches to us, it revives nature; and the seed which has been sown maythen be seen sprouting its green heads above the earth: and the same source it is which gives food to man. How good is all this! and do you not think that it calls upon us to be devout, that is, to love God, and to desire to follow his commandments, that the Almighty, who has given us so many blessings, may continue to bless us with his Providence, in all we do?
“The next object of ourAdmiration,” said Mr. Willock,“is ourselves; for as David says in the Psalms, ‘We are fearfully and wonderfully made;’ and is it not true? Observe, William, the formation of the eye, the curious make of the fingers, the strength of the muscles; how the blood circulates through your veins; and then the powers ofyour mind; how you can think, how you can reason upon what you hear and see. Is not all this matter ofAdmiration?
“If,” continued Mr. Willock,“we go a step lower, and survey the animal creation, ourAdmirationwill yet be great: whether we examine the mighty mammoth, the skeleton of which you saw at the exhibition the other day, or the little hummingbird, which was shewn you at the museum, still you must admire. It is true, that we admire also the works of man; but if we do, they will only bring us back, after all, to think of that great power which gave to human beings such capacities.
“The goodness of Providence ought to be the next great object of ourAdmiration, which has fixed onsuch an order and regularity in the universe, that it sheds a constant and continual blessing and benefit on mankind, by the rotation of the seasons, by rains which water the earth, and by an autumn sun to ripen the corn, and give us a plentiful harvest.
“And, in addition to this general providence, which is for the benefit of all mankind, the good, by whom I mean those who love God, may rely on a providence that will guard, protect, and bless them through the day. Therefore, when you rise in the morning, pray sincerely for that protection, and you may depend upon having it. Judge Hale, who was a very good man, used to say, ’that he could always calculate upon the successes of the next week, by the attention he had paid to the duties of the Sunday; for,‘ said he, ‘whenever I have passed that day in admiration of the goodness of God, and have prayed sincerely for his assistance, I have always found success to follow in my temporal affairs.’ And this subject, he said, he had not considered lightly, but had been convinced of it from experience.
“But you must not, my dear children, if you have this reliance upon the goodness of God, ever doubt it, or give way to mistrust, although you may meet in your future life with crosses and vexations; because, though you may meet with them, if you have had such a dependence, you may be sure they are for the best, and because you cannot tell what is the best for your own happiness. God Almighty is your heavenly father, as I may be your father on earth; and he loves you with the same care, only with more knowledge andpowerto bless and protect you. Now it may have happened, that when you have wished to take a walk in a warm summer’s day, that I may have forbid it, and that you may have been, of course, greatly grieved and disappointed; but when in the cool of the evening I have invited you to taste the refreshing air, you have been much better pleased; you have discovered my reasons for having forbid it before; that then it was ill timed, that you might have over-heated yourselves, and have caught cold; that it would be more pleasant in the evening, and that I could then spare time to accompany you. Think then, my dear children, how much moreshould you yield to the disappointments God Almighty may place in your way; and when they happen, make yourselves happy with the best of all comforts, that it is from his goodness. Besides, when you come to read more of history, and to grow up, and notice the changes that take place in the lives of your acquaintance, you will find, that what appears as the severest misfortune, may be the means of bringing great good. You remember the history of Joseph, in the Bible; and pray recollect that beautiful story through life. Joseph’s brethren, you know, who envied him, conspired against his life; but his brother Reuben said, ‘do not let us kill him:’ however, they cast him into a pit in the wilderness, and left him. Now their belief was, thathe would perish; for they never thought that their cruelty would be the very cause that would bring him to great honour and preferment.—And it is thus that the evil designs of the wicked are made to produce good, instead of harm, to the very objects of their hatred. You recollect that a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead, with the camels, bearing spicery, and palm, and myrrh, which they were going to carry down to Egypt, bought him of his brethren, drew him out of the pit, carried him away with them, and sold him to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, and a captain of the guard. God Almighty inclined Potiphar to show kindness to Joseph, and he advanced him: but a second, and greater misfortune was to happen to Joseph, to produce him still greater good. He is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and thrown into prison, where was also the butler and baker of Pharaoh. God supplies him with wisdom to interpret their dreams; he is sent for by Pharaoh, and gives him counsel; the king promotes him, and makes him ruler over his house. But a yet more extraordinary work of Providence was to be performed; Joseph was to be the means of saving the lives of his brothers, who had conspired against him. There was a great famine in the land of Canaan, where his father and brothers dwelt; and Jacob sent his ten sons to Egypt for corn; but as he had loved Joseph, and was afraid some mischief would happen to Benjamin, he did not send him with them; hewas, however, asked for by Joseph, who pretended not to know his brothers, and whom they could not recollect in his greatness. They were sent back for Benjamin.
“I am sure that you recollect in what manner Joseph entertained his brothers on their return; that he forgave them in his heart; that he relieved them from the horrors of famine; that the only rebuke he used, when he parted with them, was of the most gentle kind—‘See that you fall not out by the way.’
“Now, my dear children, reflect upon this history, and how many times Joseph appeared to have cause to complain of the hardness of his lot; and yet it all led to honour and promotion; and this should teach you to do the best you can, in whatsoever situation you may be placed, and to depend on God, who is the great object of youradmiration, for the rest.
“The next deserving objects of ouradmirationare the effects of virtue, and particularly of Industry.—Virtue never fails to give blessings to mankind; thus it is, that the good are always the most happy. Industry has the same blessing attending it, and the recompence is of the most delightful nature, as it gives the means of acquiring many comforts, and the power of doing a great deal of good. Your mamma can tell you a very pleasant story of the good effects of industry, over indolence, or despair.” At this intimation, all the young party directed their eyes to Mrs. Willock, and“Pray, mamma,do oblige us,” was repeated by two or three of them at the same time.
Mrs. Willock, who was not only a very elegant and well-educated woman, but extremely good-natured, smiled at the eagerness of her young friends, and began
The Story of the Two Gardeners.
“There were two market gardeners, who were also neighbours, and lived somewhere near the village of Hammersmith. It happened, that the early crops of peas, raised by these two poor men, were in one morning killed by a severe frost.—One of the gardeners, a very short time afterwards, having occasion to pass by the gate of his friend, called in to condole with him on their mutual misfortune. ‘Ah,’ cried he tothe other, ‘how unfortunate have we been, neighbour! do you know that I have done nothing but fret ever since my disaster: but, bless me, what is here? you have a fine healthy crop of peas saved from the frost.’—‘Not so,’ cried the other.—‘What are they then?’ said he. ‘Why,’ returned the other gardener, ‘these are what I sowed immediately after my loss.’—‘What, coming up already?’ cried the fretter.—‘Yes.’—‘Bless me, how is that?’—‘Why, while you was fretting, I was working, that’s all.’—‘What, and don’t you fret when you have a loss?’—‘To be sure I do.’—‘Well, how then?’—‘Why, though I do fret, I always put it off until after I have repaired the mischief.’—‘Lord, why then you have no occasion to fret at all.’—‘True,’ replied the industrious gardener, ‘and that is the very reason, the less one frets, the better.’
“I am sure, my dears, that I need not tell you the moral of this little fable, because I amsurethat you have all of you good sense enough to find it out: but as you may like to hear it from me, I will tell it you—That the pleasantest reflection you can have of a misfortune is, that you have been able, by your industry, to repair it.And it is really astonishing, my dear children,” continued she, “how many mischiefs might berepairedby a little trouble and industry.”
“Admirationof worth, courage, genius, talent, and of the works of art, is the next of which,” continued Mr. Willock,“we have to speak.Admirationof worth is,among good minds, very grateful, for they are always pleased to find excellence; and in this country you may indulge the passion at any time, by reading the works of great authors, such as Locke, Addison, Sir Richard Steel, Doctor Johnson, and others, wherein you will have to admire an excellent moral, and a pure and elegant language.
“Admirationof courage is another pleasant sensation, though attended with a portion of pain. It was this kind ofAdmirationwhich was felt by Philip king of Macedon, when his son Alexander seized hold of the bridle of Bucephalus, who was so wild and unmanageable, that no one had been able to mount him, and softly letting fall his cloak, threw himself upon his back in one leap,and animating him with his voice, put him in full speed, to the astonishment of every one present. Philip, with tears of joy andAdmirationin his eyes, exclaimed—‘My son, seek a kingdom more worthy of thee, for Macedon is below thy merit.’
“Admirationof genius and talent may be often indulged. The many curious pieces of mechanism that may be seen daily, are objects worthy ofadmiration; but perhaps the most extraordinary of any to a young mind is a ship, when it is considered, that within its space several hundreds of persons traverse immense oceans, and sail to places many thousand leagues distant.”
“I should like very much to go on board a ship,” said Henry, whilehis father had paused a moment to take a pinch of snuff.
“I intend,” answered Mr. Willock, "that you and your brothers shall go to-morrow on board the Rainbow man of war, the captain of which is my particular friend: and if you do, I think your faces will express something more than simpleAdmiration. Suppose we look at the next picture; will not your looks be more like it than this? for (said he, as he turned over the leaf) it is
ADMIRATION with ASTONISHMENT.
“You may observe, that the motions which accompany this passion are more lively and stronger marked, the eyebrows more elevated, the eyes more open, the eyeball further from the lower eyelid, and moresteadily fixed; the mouth is more open; and all the parts in a much stronger emotion; but, lest you should be too much inclined to stare and gape, I will tell you a story of two schoolfellows, which is
“Bill Vacant and Henry Hawk’s-eye were schoolfellows of much about the same age. Henry Hawk’s-eye was a clever, intelligent boy, who was always seeking after knowledge, and taking great pains to acquire it. When he saw any thing new or curious, he was not contented with wishing that he knew what it was, but he always set to work seriously to find out every thing about it; andif it was a piece of mechanism, how it was made. Bill Vacant, on the other hand, always looked as if he was very deeply engaged in thought, when the truth was, that he was not; all the time, thinking of any thing at all. Bill Vacant was always wondering; he would wonder two or three times a-day what a clock it was?—what he should have for dinner?—whether it would be fine on the morrow?—whether he should go to see his grandmother at Christmas? or something equally uninteresting. If he saw any curious piece of workmanship, he would wonder how it was made, but would be satisfied with wondering; his mouth therefore was always wide open withAstonishment, but was never filled with instruction, which he would not be at the painsto gather: his was not ‘The fond attentive gaze of young Astonishment,’ mentioned by the poet Akenside, who wrote a charming book, which you must read some day, called ‘The Pleasures of the Imagination.’ Bill Vacant was always gazing, it is true, but to very little purpose; he was not only ignorant, but likely to continue so all his life; and so it turned out; for Henry Hawk’s-eye having reflected that his father was not rich, and that he would have to get his own living in the world, bent his thoughts towards a profession, and fixed upon the law. Henry was presently a student in the Temple, and paid so much attention to his studies, that he very soon became much resorted to to draw pleadings; and it was not many years before he made ahandsome fortune. Bill Vacant, whose friends also had nothing to give him, was all this time wondering what would be the best line that he could embark in; but as he was ignorant of every thing, he found it so difficult to determine, that day succeeded day in slothful idleness. One instant he would commence merchant; the next he would go to sea; then he would volunteer his services in the army; in either of which lines, if he had had perseverance, he might have in a measure succeeded. The truth was, that poor Bill Vacant was always wondering what would be the best for him, when, in fact, he had better have taken up any thing than have wondered any longer about it. However, unhappily for him, he continued wondering all his life; and when he was old and poor, all that he had to wonder at was, that other people had succeeded in the world so much better than himself.
“Such,” my dear children, “is the difference betweenAdmiration, and that void of thought which occasions us to wonder without a desire of improvement. Never, therefore, lose your time in wondering; but the instant you are at a loss to know any thing, inquire and study till you find it out, and master it. You may sometimes be led wrong, notwithstanding all your care; but do not grieve although you may; for a steady sure friend, called Experience, will step in to make you full amends.”
There was now an interval between the entertainments Mr. Willock hadpromised his children, for tea and coffee were brought in, with fruit; when, after taking each a cup of tea, and some strawberries, the young people retired to rest, highly gratified with the entertainment of the evening.
The next day presented a fine clear sky, and the young people were told to get themselves in readiness to go in the barouche to Weymouth; but Mrs. Willock being rather indisposed, was not of the party. There is not any thing more pleasant than the preparation in these cases; all was bustle and expectation. They were to go on board a ship—what a delightful excursion!
At length the time arrived—theywere at Weymouth—they saw the ships at anchor—nay more, they saw the king and royal party going on board the yacht. The ships were manned; the water was as smooth as milk. Mr. Willock had taken care to carry with him, for the amusement of the young people, the Passions of Le Brun, which he took out of his pocket as they were going on board the Rainbow, in the captain’s barge, that had been sent for them.
Henry was delighted—“Only, sir,” said he to his father, “look what a number of men in blue jackets and white trowsers are standing upon the sails!”—“Those people, my dear,” said he,“are our gallant defenders, our brave English tars; they do not stand, as you call it, on the sails, but on the yards, to which the sails arefastened, or bent.”—“Dear sir,” interrupted William, “what beautiful boat is that?”—“That, my dear boy,” said he,“is the barge in which is our dear sovereign, King George the Third. There he is!—do you not see him?—Here (said he, opening the book of Passions), look at this; this expresses the sentiment you ought to feel; it is
VENERATION
“Venerationis (according to Le Brun) the result of admiration and esteem, when it has something for its object divine, beyond our comprehension, or majestic in virtue. The face is modestly reclined; the eyebrows bent down; the eyes almost shut and fixed, and the mouthgentle, humble, and full of respect. Who is it that must not feel the passion ofVeneration, at the name even of our beloved sovereign, eminent as he is in virtue, and mild and merciful as he is on the throne? No wild acts of ambition, no base perfidy, no lawless stretch of power, has dishonoured his reign. He is the father of his people, and he has the affection andVenerationof every good man.”
The barge now approached the side of the ship, which was manned, that is, the seamen stood on each side to hand the side-ropes (which were covered with red baize) to the company; and Mr. Willock was received on the quarter-deck by captain Manly, who commanded the Rainbow.
Captain Manly, who was a very well-bred man, received his guests with great politeness, and gratified their curiosity by taking them all over the ship. He showed them the fore-castle, which is the fore part of the deck; the main deck, the gally-fire, and the coppers wherein the sailors’ dinner is cooked; from thence he took them down the hatchways, to show them the midshipmens’ births; and between decks, where the hammocks are slung, and the cable tiers, where the cables which hold the ship are coiled, or as you would call it, laid round; and the bread-room, where the provisions are served out.
Captain Manly next took his visitors into his own cabin. Somerefreshment was prepared, and among other things, he gave them some real salt junk, that is, salt beef, and some sea biscuit instead of white bread, which the sailors, with great contempt, callsoft tommy. He gave them also some grog, as well as wine. They then returned to the quarter-deck, when John, William and Henry amused themselves with the young midshipmen, some of whom were old schoolfellows, and showed them how to go aloft up the shrouds (called by the landsmen rope-ladders) into the mizen-top, whither they followed them a little way, but did not like climbing to get over the top rim, nor did they choose to go throughlubber’s hole, which is a way of more safety, used by landsmen, for fear they should be laughed at. Henry,however, expressed a great inclination to go to sea; and on hearing captain Manly relate to his father the gallant achievements of Lord Nelson, his eyes sparkled with the love of glory. Captain Manly showed his guests a picture of his gallant friend; and the passion ofVenerationwas again visible in every face.
One of the quarter-masters (who are old seamen, and have the care of the quarter-deck, and whose duty it is to call the officers to their watch, to turn the hour-glass, and go to the belfry to pull the bell-rope) was very attentive to the young gentlemen, and took them forward, where some of the sailors were dancing hornpipes on the main deck, to the music of a broken fiddle, played by an old black fidler. The young people gave the quarter-master (whom the sailors called Old Spun-yarn) some money to drink their healths; and he, in return, got one of the boys who waited on the midshipmen to go aloft, and stand upon the truck of the top-gallant-mast-head, which is at the very greatest height of the masts, where he stood on a space not larger than the top part of a dumb waiter, and drew in the pendant, and let it out again at pleasure. John and William shuddered to see him at such a tremendous height; but Henry seemed very much delighted at the boy’s activity.
The boat was now manned, at the request of Mr. Willock, to put them on shore; but as the wind had sprung up, the water had got rather rough; and before they had rowed far, astrong gale came on, when the boat’s crew were obliged to pull very hard to make the shore; and as the tide run strong, they were some hours before they could fetch, that is, reach the pier. During their passage to shore, the boat shipped several seas, and the young people began to be a little frightened, except Henry, who seemed more stout-hearted than any of the rest. Mr. Willock, for his part, was only uneasy on account of the delay it occasioned, and the apprehensions which would occur to the mind of his good lady. At length, however, they were all landed safe on shore; and after taking a glass of wine, Mr. Willock set out for home, where he arrived late at night. It had now become quite tempestuous, and Mrs. Willock andher little daughters were waiting with the most painful anxiety. Presently, however, the carriage was heard at a distance on the road, and the gates were thrown open by the servants, before the bells could be rung. Mrs. Willock, who was a most affectionate mother, ran into the hall to meet and embrace her children; and Caroline and Louisa ran to kiss their brothers, followed by all the servants in the house. The family were now all together, in the large parlour, where was a good fire, and all the comforts of home prepared for the travellers. When they were a little composed and refreshed, Mr. Willock drew from his pocket the Passions, and asked the young people if, when they came in, they had not seen a face like the one he shewed them? when they one and all cried out, that it was mamma: the truth was, that it was the passion of