The Juvenile Lavater; or, A Familiar Explanation of the Passions of Le Brun
Calculated for the Instruction & Entertainment of Young Persons; Interspersed with Moral and Amusing Tales
"The Juvenile Lavater; or, A Familiar Explanation of the Passions of Le Brun" by George Brewer is a didactic story written in the early 19th century. The work aims to educate and entertain young readers by exploring human emotions through the lens of physiognomy as proposed by Johann Caspar Lavater, illustrated by the passionate works of French artist Charles Le Brun. Through the experiences of the Willock family, the text emphasizes the virtues of good passions while contrasting them with the consequences of negative emotions. At the start of the narrative, we are introduced to Mr. Willock, a father devoted to his five children, as he plans to showcase fascinating portraits depicting various human feelings. The children’s eager anticipation leads to a lesson on the passion of Attention, wherein Mr. Willock uses a portrait to engage them, explaining how this emotion is crucial for learning and development. The unfolding tale incorporates moral stories that emphasize the importance of attention to family, education, and virtue, ultimately promoting the idea that cultivating positive emotions equals personal happiness and societal benefit.