154 
LAVATER S 
fpe6table peifonage. In fuch a fcene, the united 
effecls of diflimuiation would be feen mingled with 
the parting traces of indignation. 
In other cafes, a fimple motion proceeding from 
tendernefs, grief or rage, zeal or envy, will fufhce 
to exhibit an unknown character in a true light j 
nay, we need only fet a perfedl calm in oppofition 
to the ftorm of paffions, in order to judge what any 
individual is or is not, and may or may not be- 
come at a future period of his life, by comparing 
him, at his eafe with himfelf, ruffled by flrong agi- 
tations of mind. 
In the courfe of our Phyfiographical ftudies, 
fflould we cafually meet with a perfon who pof- 
feffed the rare gift of liftening with a tender con- 
cern to another’s ftory, from beginning to end, be- 
fore fpeaking a word, we ought, furely, to read 
every line of his countenance with that intereft 
wfflich he infpired ; at the fame time that we ad- 
mired his eafy manner of anfwering with dignity, 
but without affluming any imperious airs of fupe- 
riority. 
Certainly attention is a fign that denotes not 
only goodnefs of heart, and a degree of judgment^ 
but likewife a great and fteady mind ; for he who 
cannot bear patiently to hear others fpeak firft, has 
no pretenfions to true merit ; but a man who re- 
mains filent till a fit opportunity offers for him to 
^ deliver 
