“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.

“Attention to business.

“Attention to dress.

“Attention to the duties of religion, such as praying to God, and attending the divine service, is not only the most delightful Attention that 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.

“Attention of children to parents who have taken care of them from infancy, being a proof of a grateful mind, is always lovely and praiseworthy.

“Attention of 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 what Attention meant, nor the advantages to be gained by it.

“Attention to our friends and acquaintance, particularly to the aged, is not only a duty, but shows our politeness and good breeding.

“Attention to the sick is required from us by the precepts of religion, and by the need we may some day have for such Attention ourselves.

“Attention to business merely consists in minding what we have got to do, and is always rewarded with profit.

“Attention to 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 another Attention, which may be called Attention to 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 of Attention,

“Charles and George were twin brothers, the children of Mr. Wilson, a gentleman of small income, but who 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 of Attention.

“One day, when George and Charles were both of them very young, their father, who was a wise and good man, made each of them a 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 the Attention he 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 pay Attention to business, and Charles was as inattentive as ever. George was 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 a payment 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 the neglected gift of his father, the portrait of Attention.

“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 of Attention had 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 kind Attention, 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 eminence with 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 kind Attention you 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 and Attention of Mr. George Wilson, that he soon presented his brother with a plan, by which, with Attention, he might extricate himself. Charles, thoroughly sensible of his brother’s advice, forsook his former propensities, and paid the necessary Attention to 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 very first mark of Attention of 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 great a 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—To pay Attention, is to receive Profit.”

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—that to 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