A minuteness of observation

According to Richardson, Emerson was influenced by illustrator Charles Bell, who, in his book Essays on the Anatomy of Expression in Painting (1806), "Through careful description and numerous engraved plates... [tried to] 'lay a foundation for studying the influence of the mind upon the body.'  He is not much interested in anatomically inaccurate classical works.  He is not at all interested in stillness and tranquility.  Instead, he discusses and illustrates the anatomical expression of madness, rage, jealousy, grief, anguish, weeping, laughter, and sorrow.  Bell's interest in this book is not medical; he is concerned with expression in painting, and his point is that is the 'true basis of the art of design" and its benefit is to bestow on the painter ' a minuteness of observation.' 

Here is a website that shows Bell on "fear and wonder."

And her on laughter.