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diff --git a/old/56166-0.txt b/old/56166-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 8d49889..0000000 --- a/old/56166-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7140 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Word Portraits of Famous Writers, Edited by -Mabel E. (Mabel Elizabeth) Wotton - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Word Portraits of Famous Writers - - -Editor: Mabel E. (Mabel Elizabeth) Wotton - -Release Date: December 11, 2017 [eBook #56166] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORD PORTRAITS OF FAMOUS WRITERS*** - - -E-text prepared by David E. Brown and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by -Internet Archive (https://archive.org) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive. See - https://archive.org/details/wordportraitsoff00wottrich - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Text in italics is surrounded by underscores: _italics_. - - Emboldened text is surrounded by equals signs: =bold=. - - - - - -WORD PORTRAITS OF FAMOUS WRITERS - -Edited by - -MABEL E. WOTTON - - - ‘What manner of man is he?’ - _Twelfth Night_ - - - - - - -London -Richard Bentley & Son -Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen -1887 - -Printed by R. & R. Clark, Edinburgh. - - - - -[Illustration] - - - - -INTRODUCTION - - -“The world has always been fond of personal details respecting men -who have been celebrated.” These were the words of Lord Beaconsfield, -and with them he prefixed his description of the personal appearance -of Isaac D’Israeli; but we hardly need the dictum of our greatest -statesman to convince ourselves that at all events every honest -literature-lover takes a very real interest in the individuality of -those men whose names are perpetually on his lips. It is not enough -for such a one merely to make himself familiar with their writings. It -does not suffice for him that the _Essays of Elia_, for instance, can -be got by heart, but he feels that he must also be able to linger in -the playground at Christ’s with the “lame-footed boy,” and in after -years pace the Temple gardens with the gentle-faced scholar, before he -can properly be said to have made Lamb’s thoughts his own. At the best -it is but a very incomplete notion that most of us possess as to the -actual personality of even the most prominent of our British writers. -The almost womanly beauty of Sidney, and the keen eyes and razor face -of Pope, would, perhaps, be recognised as easily as the well-known form -of Dr. Johnson; but taking them _en masse_ even a widely-read man might -be forgiven if, from amongst the scraps of hearsay and curtly-recorded -impressions on which at rare intervals he may alight, he cannot very -readily conjure up the ghosts of the very men whose books he has -studied, and to whose haunts he has been an eager pilgrim. - -Such a power the following pages have attempted to supply. They -contain an account of the face, figure, dress, voice, and manner of -our best-known writers ranging from Geoffrey Chaucer to Mrs. Henry -Wood,--drawn in all cases when it is possible by their contemporaries, -and when through lack of material this endeavour has failed, the task -of portrait-painting has devolved either on other writers who owed -their inspiration to the offices of a mutual friend, or on those whose -literary ability and untiring research have qualified them for the -task. Infinite toil has not always been rewarded, and it would be easy -to supply at least half a dozen names whose absence is to be regretted. -Beaumont and Fletcher are as much read as Thomas Otway, and William -Wotton has perhaps as much right of entrance as his famous opponent -Richard Bentley, but as a small child pointed out when the book was -first proposed: “_You can’t find what isn’t there._” And the worth of -the book naturally consists in keeping to the lines already indicated. - -An asterisk placed under the given reference means that the writer -of that particular portrait (who is not necessarily the writer of -that particular book) did not actually see his subject, but that he -is describing a picture, or else that he is building up one from -substantiated evidence. Sometimes, as in the case of Suckling, this -distinction leads to the same book supplying two portraits, only one of -which is at first hand. - -When a date is placed at the foot of a description, it refers to the -appearance presented at that time, and not to the period when the words -were penned. - -British writers only are named, and amongst them there is of course no -living author. - -Chaucer’s birth-date has been given as _About_ 1340, for the -traditional year of 1328 is based on little more than the inscription -on his tomb, which was not placed there until the middle of the -sixteenth century, while according to his own deposition as witness, -his birth could not have taken place until about twelve years later. - -In only one other instance has there been a departure from recognised -precedent, and that is in the case of Thomas de Quincey. In defiance -of almost every compiler and present-day writer, I have entered the -name in the Q’s and spelt it as here written. The reason for this -is threefold: First, he himself invariably spelt his name with a -small d. Second, Hood, Wordsworth, and Lamb, and, I believe, all his -other contemporaries did the same. Third, de Quincey himself was -so determined about the matter that he actually dropped the prefix -altogether for some little time, and was known as Mr. Quincey. “His -name I write with a small d in the de, as he wrote it himself. He would -not have wished it indexed among the D’s, but the Q’s,” wrote the Rev. -Francis Jacox, who was one of his Lasswade friends, and in spite of his -recent and skilful biographers, it must be conceded that after all the -little man had the greatest right to his own name. - -I am glad to take this opportunity of thanking those who have helped -me, and who will not let me speak my thanks direct. It is a pleasant -thought that while working amongst the literary men of the past, I -have received nothing but kindness from those of to-day. First and -foremost to Mr. George Augustus Sala, to whom I am infinitely indebted; -also to Mrs. Huntingford, Mrs. and Mr. Frederick Chapman, Mr. Henry M. -Trollope, Dr. W. F. Fitz-Patrick, and Mr. S. C. Hall: to all these, -as well as to my own personal friends, I offer my hearty and sincere -thanks. - - M. E. W. - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - - JOSEPH ADDISON 1 - HARRISON AINSWORTH 4 - JANE AUSTEN 7 - FRANCIS, LORD BACON 10 - JOANNA BAILLIE 12 - BENJAMIN, LORD BEACONSFIELD 15 - JEREMY BENTHAM 17 - RICHARD BENTLEY 20 - JAMES BOSWELL 21 - CHARLOTTE BRONTË 24 - HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM 27 - ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING 34 - JOHN BUNYAN 36 - EDMUND BURKE 39 - ROBERT BURNS 42 - SAMUEL BUTLER 47 - GEORGE, LORD BYRON 47 - THOMAS CAMPBELL 51 - THOMAS CARLYLE 55 - THOMAS CHATTERTON 58 - GEOFFREY CHAUCER 61 - PHILIP, LORD CHESTERFIELD 63 - WILLIAM COBBETT 66 - HARTLEY COLERIDGE 70 - SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE 74 - WILLIAM COLLINS 77 - WILLIAM COWPER 79 - GEORGE CRABBE 81 - DANIEL DE FOE 83 - CHARLES DICKENS 86 - ISAAC D’ISRAELI 91 - JOHN DRYDEN 94 - MARY ANNE EVANS (GEORGE ELIOT) 98 - HENRY FIELDING 102 - JOHN GAY 105 - EDWARD GIBBON 107 - WILLIAM GODWIN 110 - OLIVER GOLDSMITH 112 - DAVID GRAY 114 - THOMAS GRAY 116 - HENRY HALLAM 118 - WILLIAM HAZLITT 120 - FELICIA HEMANS 125 - JAMES HOGG 128 - THOMAS HOOD 130 - THEODORE HOOK 134 - DAVID HUME 136 - LEIGH HUNT 139 - ELIZABETH INCHBALD 143 - FRANCIS, LORD JEFFREY 144 - DOUGLAS JERROLD 147 - SAMUEL JOHNSON 150 - BEN JONSON 152 - JOHN KEATS 155 - JOHN KEBLE 158 - CHARLES KINGSLEY 164 - CHARLES LAMB 168 - LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON 172 - WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR 174 - CHARLES LEVER 177 - MATTHEW GREGORY LEWIS 179 - JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART 180 - SIR RICHARD LOVELACE 181 - EDWARD, LORD LYTTON 183 - THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY 187 - WILLIAM MAGINN 190 - FRANCIS MAHONY (FATHER PROUT) 195 - FREDERICK MARRYAT 199 - HARRIET MARTINEAU 202 - FREDERICK DENISON MAURICE 205 - JOHN MILTON 207 - MARY RUSSELL MITFORD 211 - LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU 215 - THOMAS MOORE 217 - HANNAH MORE 220 - SIR THOMAS MORE 224 - CAROLINE NORTON 227 - THOMAS OTWAY 231 - SAMUEL PEPYS 232 - ALEXANDER POPE 234 - BRYAN WALLER PROCTER 236 - THOMAS DE QUINCEY 238 - ANN RADCLIFFE 243 - SIR WALTER RALEIGH 244 - CHARLES READE 248 - SAMUEL RICHARDSON 251 - SAMUEL ROGERS 254 - DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI 256 - RICHARD SAVAGE 262 - SIR WALTER SCOTT 264 - WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 267 - MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY 275 - PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY 277 - RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN 282 - SIR PHILIP SIDNEY 284 - HORACE SMITH 286 - SYDNEY SMITH 287 - TOBIAS SMOLLETT 289 - ROBERT SOUTHEY 290 - EDMUND SPENSER 293 - ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY 296 - SIR RICHARD STEELE 299 - LAURENCE STERNE 302 - SIR JOHN SUCKLING 304 - JONATHAN SWIFT 305 - WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY 308 - JAMES THOMSON 311 - ANTHONY TROLLOPE 313 - EDMUND WALLER 317 - HORACE WALPOLE 319 - IZAAC WALTON 323 - JOHN WILSON 324 - ELLEN WOOD (MRS. HENRY WOOD) 330 - WILLIAM WORDSWORTH 332 - SIR HENRY WOTTON 335 - - - - -JOSEPH ADDISON - -1672-1719 - - -[Sidenote: _Temple Bar_, 1874. *] - -“Of his personal appearance we have at least two portraits by good -hands. Before us are three carefully-engraved portraits of him, but -there is a great dissimilarity between the three except in the wig. -Sir Godfrey Kneller painted one of these portraits, which is entirely -unlike the two others; let us, however, give Sir Godfrey the credit -of the best picture, and judge Addison’s appearance from that. The -wig almost prevents our judging the shape of the head, yet it seems -very high behind. The forehead is very lofty, the sort of forehead -which is called ‘commanding’ by those people who do not know that some -of the least decided men in the world have had high foreheads. The -eyebrows are delicately ‘pencilled,’ yet show a vast deal of vigour and -expression; they are what his old Latin friends, who knew so well the -power of expression in the eyebrow, would have called ‘supercilious,’ -and yet the nasal end of the supercilium is only slightly raised, and -it droops pleasantly at the temporal end, so that there is nothing -Satanic or ill-natured about it. The eyebrow of Addison, according to -Kneller, seems to say, ‘You are a greater fool than you think yourself -to be, but I would die sooner than tell you so.’ The eye, which is -generally supposed to convey so much expression, but which very often -does not, is very much like the eyes of other amiable and talented -people. The nose is long, as becomes an orthodox Whig; quite as long, -we should say, as the nose of any member of Peel’s famous long-nosed -ministry, and quite as delicately chiselled. The mouth is very tender -and beautiful, firm, yet with a delicate curve upwards at each end of -the upper lip, suggestive of a good joke, and of a calm waiting to -hear if any man is going to beat it. Below the mouth there follows of -course the nearly inevitable double chin of the eighteenth century, -with a deep incision in the centre of the jaw-bone, which shows through -the flesh like a dimple. On the whole a singularly handsome and -pleasant face, wanting the wonderful form which one sees in the faces -of Shakespeare, Prior, Congreve, Castlereagh, Byron, or Napoleon, but -still extremely fine of its own.” - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Lives of the Poets_.] - -“Of his habits, or external manners, nothing is so often mentioned as -that timorous or sullen taciturnity, which his friends called modesty -by too mild a name. Steele mentions, with great tenderness, ‘that -remarkable bashfulness, which is a cloak that hides and muffles merit;’ -and tells us ‘that his abilities were covered only by modesty, which -doubles the beauties which are seen, and gives credit and esteem to all -that are concealed.’ Chesterfield affirms that ‘Addison was the most -timorous and awkward man that he ever saw.’ And Addison, speaking of -his own deficiency in conversation, used to say of himself that, with -respect to intellectual wealth, ‘he could draw bills for a thousand -pounds though he had not a guinea in his pocket.’... ‘Addison’s -conversation,’ says Pope, ‘had something in it more charming than I -have found in any other man. But this was only when familiar; before -strangers, or, perhaps, a single stranger, he preserved his dignity by -a stiff silence.’” - - - - -HARRISON AINSWORTH - -1805-1882 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a Long Life_.] - -“I saw little of him in later days, but when I saw him in 1826, not -long after he married the daughter of Ebers of New Bond Street, and -‘condescended’ for a brief time to be a publisher, he was a remarkably -handsome young man--tall, graceful in deportment, and in all ways a -pleasant person to look upon and talk to. He was, perhaps, as thorough -a gentleman as his native city of Manchester ever sent forth.” - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“Harrison Ainsworth was certainly a handsome man, but it was very -much of the barber’s-block type of beauty, with wavy scented hair, -smiling lips, and pink and white complexion. As a young man he was -gorgeous in the _outré_ dress of the dandy of ’36, and, in common -with those other famous dandies, d’Orsay, young Benjamin Disraeli, -and Tom Duncombe, wore multitudinous waistcoats, over which dangled -a long gold chain, numberless rings, and a black satin stock. In old -age he was very patriarchal-looking. His gray hair was swept up and -back from a peculiarly high broad forehead; his moustache, beard, and -whiskers were short, straight, and silky, and the mouth was entirely -hidden. His eyes were large and oval, and rather _flat_ in form,--less -expressive altogether than one would have expected in the head of so -graphic a writer. The eyebrows were somewhat overhanging, and the nose -was straight and flexible. Up to the day of his death he was always a -well-dressed man, but in a far more sober fashion than in his youth.” - -[Sidenote: Ainsworth’s _Rookwood_.] - -“What have we to add to what we have here ventured to record, which the -engraving which accompanies this memoir will not more happily embody? -(_This refers to a portrait by Maclise which appeared in_ The Mirror.) -Should that fail to do justice to his face--to its regularity and -delicacy of feature, its manly glow of health, and the cordial nature -which lightens it up--we must refer the dissatisfied beholder to Mr. -Pickersgill’s masterly full-length portrait exhibited last year, in -which the author of _The Miser’s Daughter_ may be seen, not as some -pale, worn, pining scholar,--some fagging, half-exhausted, periodical -romancer,--but, as an English gentleman of goodly stature and well-set -limb, with a fine head on his shoulders, and a heart to match. If to -this we add a word, it must be to observe, that, though the temper -of our popular author may be marked by impatience on some occasions, -it has never been upon any occasion marked by a want of generosity, -whether in conferring benefits or atoning for errors. His friends -regard him as a man with as few failings, blended with fine qualities, -as most people, and his enemies know nothing at all about him.” - - - - -JANE AUSTEN - -1775-1817 - -[Sidenote: Tytler’s _Jane Austen and her Works_. *] - -“In person Jane Austen seems to have borne considerable resemblance to -her two favourite heroines, Elizabeth Bennet and Emma Woodhouse. Jane, -too, was tall and slender, a brunette, with a rich colour,--altogether -‘the picture of health’ which Emma Woodhouse was said to be. In minor -points, Jane Austen had a well-formed though somewhat small nose and -mouth, round as well as rosy cheeks, bright hazel eyes, and brown hair -falling in natural curls about her face.” - -[Sidenote: Leigh’s _Memoir of Jane Austen_. *] - -“As my memoir has now reached the period when I saw a great deal of my -aunt, and was old enough to understand something of her value, I will -here attempt a description of her person, mind, and habits. In person -she was very attractive; her figure was rather tall and slender, her -step light and firm, and her whole appearance expressive of health and -animation. In complexion she was a clear brunette, with a rich colour; -she had full round cheeks, with mouth and nose small and well-formed, -bright hazel eyes, and brown hair forming natural curls close round her -face. If not so regularly handsome as her sister, yet her countenance -had a peculiar charm of its own to the eyes of most beholders. At the -time of which I am now writing, she never was seen, either morning -or evening, without a cap; I believe that she and her sister were -generally thought to have taken to the garb of middle age earlier than -their years or their looks required; and that, though remarkably neat -in their dress, as in all their ways, they were scarcely sufficiently -regardful of the fashionable, or the becoming.”--1809. - -[Sidenote: Austen’s _Sense and Sensibility_.] - -“Of personal attractions she possessed a considerable share; her -stature rather exceeded the middle height; her carriage and deportment -were quiet, but graceful; her features were separately good; their -assemblage produced an unrivalled expression of that cheerfulness, -sensibility, and benevolence which were her real characteristics; her -complexion was of the finest texture--it might with truth be said that -her eloquent blood spoke through her modest cheek; her voice was sweet; -she delivered herself with fluency and precision; indeed, she was -formed for elegant and rational society, excelling in conversation as -much as in composition.... The affectation of candour is not uncommon, -but she had no affectation.... She never uttered either a hasty, a -silly, or a severe expression. In short, her temper was as polished as -her wit; and no one could be often in her company without feeling a -strong desire of obtaining her friendship, and cherishing a desire of -having obtained it.” - - - - -FRANCIS, LORD BACON - -1560-1-1626 - - -[Sidenote: Montague’s _Life of Bacon_. *] - -[Sidenote: Evelyn on Medals.] - -“He was of a middle stature, and well proportioned; his features were -handsome and expressive, and his countenance, until it was injured by -politics and worldly warfare, singularly placid. There is a portrait -of him when he was only eighteen now extant, on which the artist -has recorded his despair of doing justice to his subject, by the -inscription,--‘Si tabula daretur digna, animum mallem.’ His portraits -differ beyond what may be considered a fair allowance for the varying -skill of the artist, or the natural changes which time wrought upon -his person; but none of them contradict the description given by one -who knew him well, ‘That he had a spacious forehead and piercing eye, -looking upward as a soul in sublime contemplation, a countenance worthy -of one who was to set free captive philosophy.’” - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_. *] - -“He had a delicate, lively hazel eie; Dr. Harvey told me it was like -the eie of a viper.” - -[Sidenote: Campbell’s _Lives of the Lord Chancellors_. *] - -“All accounts represent him as a delightful companion, adapting himself -to company of every degree, calling, and humour,--not engrossing the -conversation,--trying to get all to talk in turn on the subject they -best understood, and not disdaining to light his own candle at the -lamp of any other.... Little remains except to give some account of -his person. He was of a middling stature; his limbs well-formed though -not robust; his forehead high, spacious and open; his eye lively and -penetrating; there were deep lines of thinking in his face, his smile -was both intellectual and benevolent; the marks of age were prematurely -impressed upon him; in advanced life his whole appearance was venerably -pleasing, so that a stranger was insensibly drawn to love before -knowing how much reason there was to admire him.” - - - - -JOANNA BAILLIE - -1762-1851 - - -[Sidenote: Crabb Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“We met Miss Joanna Baillie, and accompanied her home. She is small in -figure, and her gait is mean and shuffling, but her manners are those -of a well-bred woman. She has none of the unpleasant airs too common to -literary ladies. Her conversation is sensible. She possesses apparently -considerable information, is prompt without being forward, and has -a fixed judgment of her own, without any disposition to force it on -others. Wordsworth said of her with warmth, ‘If I had to present any -one to a foreigner as a model of an English gentlewoman, it would be -Joanna Baillie.’”--1812. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“Of the party I can recall but one; that one, however, is a -memory,--JOANNA BAILLIE. I remember her as singularly impressive in -look and manner, with the ‘queenly’ air we associate with ideas of high -birth and lofty rank. Her face was long, narrow, dark, and solemn, and -her speech deliberate and considerate, the very antipodes of ‘chatter.’ -Tall in person, and habited according to the ‘mode’ of an olden time, -her picture, as it is now present to me, is that of a very venerable -dame, dressed in coif and kirtle, stepping out, as it were, from a -frame in which she had been placed by the painter Vandyke.”--1825-26. - -[Sidenote: Sara Coleridge’s _Letters_.] - -“I saw Mrs. Joanna Baillie before dinner. She wore a delicate lavender -satin bonnet; and Mrs. J. says she is fond of dress, and knows what -every one has on. Her taste is certainly exquisite in dress though -(strange to say) not, in my opinion, in poetry. I more than ever -admired the harmony of expression and tint, the silver hair and -silvery-gray eye, the pale skin, and the look which speaks of a -mind that has had much communing with high imagination, though such -intercourse is only perceptible now by the absence of everything which -that lofty spirit would not set his seal upon.”--1834. - - - - -BENJAMIN, LORD BEACONSFIELD - -1804-1881 - - -[Sidenote: Jeaffreson’s _Novels and Novelists_.] - -“His ringlets of silken black hair, his flashing eyes, his effeminate -and lisping voice, his dress-coat of black velvet lined with white -satin, his white kid gloves with his wrist surrounded by a long hanging -fringe of black silk, and his ivory cane, of which the handle, inlaid -with gold, was relieved by more black silk in the shape of a tassel.... -Such was the perfumed boy-exquisite who forced his way into the salons -of peeresses.”--1829. - -[Sidenote: Mill’s _Beaconsfield_.] - -“In the front seat on the Conservative side of the House, may be -observed a man who, if his hat be off, which it generally is, is sure -to arrest one’s attention, and we need scarcely to be told after having -once seen him that he is the leader of that great party. He is not -old, just turned fifty we may suppose, but he bears his age well, -whatever it may be. His face, which was once handsome, is now ‘sicklied -o’er with the pale cast of thought.’ The head is long, and the forehead -massive and finished. The eye is restless, but full of fire; the hair -black and curly. Nature has evidently taken some pains to finish the -exterior.”--about 1855. - -[Sidenote: J. H. du Vivier, _Portraits comparés des hommes d’état_.] - -“Certes, le premier aspect de Mr. Gladstone ... réponds à l’idée -qu’on peut se faire d’un chef doué d’un élan irrésistible, mieuxque -l’attitude maladive de lord Beaconsfield, ses traits mous, son regard -flétri et comme perdu dans l’abstraction ou dans une réverie hantée par -la désillusion et la lassitude.... Chez le plus faible ... on devine -bientôt que si le fourreau est usé par la lame, c’est à raison de la -dévorante activité de celle-ci.... La tête s’incline avec mélancholie, -la bouche a pris l’habitude des contractions douleureuses; mais que -de patience invincible dans cette attitude! quelle fécondité, quelle -soudaineté d’inspirations marquées sur ces lèvres que plisse le rictus -de l’ironie!” - - - - -JEREMY BENTHAM - -1748-1832 - - -[Sidenote: Sir John Bowring’s _Autobiographical Recollections_.] - -“In the very centre of the group of persons who originated the -_Westminster Review_ stands the grand figure of Jeremy Bentham. -Though closely resembling Franklin, his face expresses a profounder -wisdom and a more marked benevolence than the bust of the American -printer. Mingled with a serene contemplative cast, there is something -of playful humour in the countenance. The high forehead is wrinkled, -but is without sternness, and is contemplative but complacent. The -neatly-combed long white hair hangs over the neck, but moves at every -breath. _Simplex munditiis_ best describes his garments. When he walks -there is a restless activity in his gait, as if his thoughts were, ‘Let -me walk fast, for there is work to do, and the walking is but to fit me -the better for the work.’” - -[Sidenote: Sir John Bowring’s _Life of Bentham_.] - -“The striking resemblance between the persons of Franklin and Bentham -has been often noticed. Of the two, perhaps, the expression of -Bentham’s countenance was the more benign. Each remarkable for profound -sagacity, Bentham was scarcely less so for a perpetual playfulness of -manner and of expression. Few men were so sportive, so amusing, as -Bentham,--none ever tempered more delightfully his wisdom with his -wit.... Bentham’s dress was peculiar out of doors. He ordinarily wore -a narrow-rimmed straw hat, from under which his long white hair fell -on his shoulders, or was blown about by the winds. He had a plain -brown coat, cut in the Quaker style; light-brown cassimere breeches, -over whose knees outside he usually exhibited a pair of white worsted -stockings; list shoes he almost invariably used; and his hands were -generally covered with merino-lined leather gloves. His neck was bare; -he never went out without his stick ‘dapple,’ for a companion. He -walked, or rather trotted, as if he were impatient for exercise; but -often stopped suddenly for purposes of conversation.” - -[Sidenote: Crabb Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“_December 31st._--At half-past one went by appointment to see Jeremy -Bentham, at his house in Westminster Square, and walked with him -for about half an hour in his garden, when he dismissed me to take -his breakfast and have the paper read to him. I have but little to -report concerning him. He is a small man. He stoops very much (he is -eighty-four), and shuffles in his gait. His hearing is not good, yet -excellent considering his age. His eye is restless, and there is a -fidgety activity about him, increased probably by the habit of having -all round fly at his command.”--1831. - - - - -RICHARD BENTLEY - -1662-1742 - - -[Sidenote: R. C. Jebb’s _Bentley_. *] - -“The pose of the head is haughty, almost defiant; the eyes, which are -large, prominent, and full of bold vivacity, have a light in them as -if Bentley were looking straight at an impostor whom he had detected, -but who still amused him; the nose, strong and slightly tip-tilted, -is moulded as if Nature had wished to show what a nose can do for the -combined expression of scorn and sagacity; and the general effect of -the countenance, at a first glance, is one which suggests power--frank, -self-assured, sarcastic, and, I fear we must add, insolent: yet, -standing a little longer before the picture, we become aware of an -essential kindness in those eyes of which the gaze is so direct and -intrepid; we read in the whole face a certain keen veracity; and the -sense grows--this was a man who could hit hard, but who would not -strike a foul blow, and whose ruling instinct, whether always a sure -guide or not, was to pierce through falsities to truth.” - - - - -JAMES BOSWELL - -1740-1795 - - -[Sidenote: Littell’s _Living Age_, 1870. *] - -“The sketch by Sir Thomas Lawrence of Boswell, prefixed to Mr. -Murray’s edition of Johnson’s _Life_, illustrates with striking -accuracy the saying of Hazlitt, that ‘A man’s life may be a lie to -himself and others; and yet a picture painted of him by a great -artist would probably stamp his character.’ The busy vanity, the -garrulous complacency of the man when out of sight of Dr. Johnson, -as he may be supposed to have been when the portrait was etched, are -brought out with all the humour and point of a caricature, without -its exaggeration. The thin nose, that seems to sniff the air for -information, has the sharp shrewdness of a Scotch accent. The small -eyes, too much relieved by the high-arched eyebrows, twinkle with -the exultation of victories not won--an expression contracted from a -vigilant watching of Dr. Johnson, who, when he spoke, spoke always for -victory; the bleak lips, making by their protrusion an angle almost -the size of the nose, proclaim Boswell’s love of ‘drawing people -out,’ a thirst for information at once droll and impertinent; but -which finally embodied itself in a form that has been pronounced by -Lord Macaulay the most interesting biography in the world; the ample -chins, fold upon fold, tell of a strong affection, gross, and almost -sottish, for port wine and tainted meats; whilst the folded arms, -the slightly-inclined posture, the strong and arrogant setting of -the head, exhibit the self-importance, the shrewd understanding, not -to be obscurated by vanity, the imperturbable but artless egotism, -the clever inquisitiveness which have made him the best-despised -and best-read writer in English literature. The portraits handed -down to us of Boswell by his contemporaries are most graphic; some -of them are malignant, some bitter, some temperate; and those that -are temperate are probably just.... Miss Burney thus caricatures the -appearance of Boswell in Johnson’s presence, when intent upon his -note-taking: ‘The moment that voice burst forth, the attention which -it excited on Mr. Boswell amounted almost to pain. His eyes goggled -with eagerness; he leant his ear almost on the shoulder of the doctor, -and his mouth dropped down to catch every syllable that was uttered; -nay, he seemed not only to dread losing a word, but to be anxious not -to miss a breathing, as if hoping from it latently or mystically some -information.’” - - - - -CHARLOTTE BRONTË - -1816-1855 - - -[Sidenote: Mrs Gaskell’s _Life of C. Brontë_.] - -“In 1831, she was a quiet, thoughtful girl, of nearly fifteen years -of age, very small in figure--‘stunted’ was the word she applied to -herself; but as her limbs and head were in just proportion to the -slight, fragile body, no word in ever so slight a degree suggestive -of deformity could properly be applied to her; with soft, thick, -brown hair, and peculiar eyes, of which I find it difficult to give a -description as they appeared to me in her later life. They were large -and well-shaped, their colour a reddish brown, but if the iris were -closely examined, it appeared to be composed of a great variety of -tints. The usual expression was of quiet, listening intelligence; but -now and then, on some just occasion for vivid interest or wholesome -indignation, a light would shine out, as if some spiritual lamp had -been kindled, which glowed behind those expressive orbs. I never saw -the like in any other human creature. As for the rest of her features, -they were plain, large, and ill-set; but, unless you began to catalogue -them, you were hardly aware of the fact, for the eyes and power of -the countenance overbalanced every physical defect; the crooked mouth -and the large nose were forgotten, and the whole face arrested the -attention, and presently attracted all those whom she herself would -have cared to attract. Her hands and feet were the smallest I ever -saw; when one of the former was placed in mine, it was like the soft -touch of a bird in the middle of my palm. The delicate long fingers -had a peculiar fineness of sensation, which was one reason why all -her handiwork, of whatever kind--writing, sewing, knitting,--was -so clear in its minuteness. She was remarkably neat in her whole -personal attire; but she was dainty as to the fit of her shoes and -gloves.”--1831. - -[Sidenote: Harriet Martineau’s _Biographical Sketches_.] - -“There was something inexpressibly affecting in the aspect of the -frail little creature who had done such wonderful things, and who was -able to bear up, with so bright an eye and so composed a countenance, -under not only such a weight of sorrow, but such a prospect of -solitude. In her deep mourning dress (neat as a Quaker’s), with her -beautiful hair, smooth and brown, her fine eyes, and her sensible face -indicating a habit of self-control, she seemed a perfect household -image--irresistibly recalling Wordsworth’s description of that domestic -treasure. And she was this.”--1850. - -[Sidenote: Bayne’s _Two great Englishwomen_.] - -“I can only say of this lady, _vide tantum_. I saw her first just -as I rose out of an illness from which I never thought to recover. -I remember the trembling little frame, the little hand, the great -honest eyes. An impetuous honesty seemed to me to characterise the -woman.... She gave me the impression of being a very pure, and lofty, -and high-minded person. A great and holy reverence of right and truth -seemed to be with her always. Such, in our brief interview, she -appeared to me.”--1851. - - - - -HENRY, LORD BROUGHAM - -1778-1868 - - -[Sidenote: Ticknor’s _Life and Letters_.] - -“Brougham, whom I knew in society, and from seeing him both at his -chambers and at my own lodgings, is now about thirty-eight, tall, thin, -and rather awkward, with a plain and not very expressive countenance, -and simple or even slovenly manners. He is evidently nervous, and -a slight convulsive movement about the muscles of his lips gives -him an unpleasant expression now and then. In short, all that is -exterior in him, and all that goes to make up the first impression, -is unfavourable. The first thing that removes this impression is the -heartiness and good-will he shows you, whose motive cannot be mistaken, -for such kindness comes only from the heart. This is the first thing, -but a stranger presently begins to remark his conversation. On common -topics nobody is more commonplace. He does not feel them, but if the -subject excites him, there is an air of originality in his remarks -which, if it convinces you of nothing else, convinces you that you -are talking with an extraordinary man. He does not like to join in -a general conversation, but prefers to talk apart with only two -or three persons, and, though with great interest and zeal, in an -undertone. If, however, he does launch into it, all the little, trim, -gay pleasure-boats must keep well out of the way of his great black -collier, as Gibbon said of Fox. He listens carefully and fairly--and -with a kindness which would be provoking if it were not genuine--to -all his adversary has to say; but when his time comes to answer, it is -with that bare, bold, bullion talent which either crushes itself or its -opponent.... Yet I suspect the impression Brougham generally leaves is -that of a good-natured friend. At least that is the impression I have -most frequently found, both in England and on the Continent.”--1819. - -[Sidenote: Newspaper cutting 1876.] - -“Standing in the narrow Gothic railed-off place reserved for the -public--the throne at the opposite extremity of the House--you may see -on one of the benches to the right, almost every forenoon, Saturday and -Sunday excepted, during the session, a very old man with a white head, -and attired in a simple frock and trousers of shepherd’s plaid. It is a -leonine head, and the white locks are bushy and profuse. So, too, the -eyebrows, penthouses to eyes somewhat weak now, but that can flash fire -yet upon occasion. The face is ploughed with wrinkles, as well it may -be, for the old man will never see fourscore years again, and of these, -threescore, at the very least, have been spent in study and the hardest -labour, mental and physical. The nose is a marvel--protuberant, rugose, -aggressive, inquiring and defiant: unlovely, but intellectual. There is -a trumpet mouth, a belligerent mouth, projecting and self-asserting; -largish ears, and on chin or cheeks no vestige of hair. Not a beautiful -man this, on any theory of beauty, Hogarthesque, Ruskinesque, -Winclemenesque, or otherwise. Rather a shaggy, gnarled, battered, -weather-beaten, ugly, faithful, Scotch-collie type. Not a soft, -imploring, yielding face. Rather a tearing, mocking, pugnacious cast -of countenance. The mouth is fashioned to the saying of harsh, hard, -impertinent things: not cruel, but downright; but never to whisper -compliments, or simper out platitudes. A nose, too, that can snuff the -battle afar off, and with dilated nostrils breathe forth a glory that -is sometimes terrible; but not a nose for a pouncet-box, or a Covent -Garden bouquet, or a _flacon_ of Frangipani. Would not care much for -truffles either, I think, or the delicate aroma of sparkling Moselle. -Would prefer onions or strongly-infused malt and hops; something honest -and unsophisticated. Watch this old man narrowly, young visitor to the -Lords. Scan his furrowed visage. Mark his odd angular ways and gestures -passing uncouth. Now he crouches, very dog-like, in his crimson bench: -clasps one shepherd’s plaid leg in both his hands. Botherem, _q.c._, -is talking nonsense, I think. Now the legs are crossed, and the hands -thrown behind the head; now he digs his elbows into the little Gothic -writing-table before him, and buries his hands in that puissant white -hair of his. The quiddities of Floorem, _q.c._, are beyond human -patience. Then with a wrench, a wriggle, a shake, a half-turn and -half-start up--still very dog-like, but of the Newfoundland rather, -now--he asks a lawyer or a witness a question. Question very sharp and -to the point, not often complimentary by times, and couched in that -which is neither broad Scotch nor Northumbrian burr, but a rebellious -mixture of the two. Mark him well, eye him closely: you have not much -time to lose. Alas! the giant is very old, though with frame yet -unenfeebled, with intellect yet gloriously unclouded. But the sands -are running, ever running. Watch him, mark him, eye him, score him on -your mind tablets: then home, and in after years it may be your lot -to tell your children that once at least you have seen with your own -eyes the famous Lord of Vaux; once listened to the voice which has -shaken thrones and made tyrants tremble; that has been a herald of -deliverance to millions pining in slavery and captivity; a voice that -has given utterance, in man’s most eloquent words, to the noblest, -wisest thoughts lent to this man of men by heaven; a voice that has -been trumpet-sounding these sixty years past in defence of Truth, and -Right, and Justice; in advocacy of the claims of learning and industry, -and of the liberties of the great English people, from whose ranks he -rose; a voice that should be entitled to a hearing in a Walhalla of -wise heroes, after Francis of Verulam and Isaac of Grantham; the voice -of one who is worthily a lord, but who will be yet better remembered, -and to all time,--remembered enthusiastically and affectionately,--as -the champion of all good and wise and beautiful human things--Harry -Brougham.” - -[Sidenote: _Temple Bar_, 1868.] - -“The personal man, the bodily man, the private man, did not vary. -From 1830 to 1866,--the period between his brightest glow of fame and -his mental eclipse,--he was always the same gaunt, angular, raw-boned -figure, with the high cheek-bones, the great flexible nose, the mobile -mouth, the shock head of hair, the uncouthly-cut coat with the velvet -collar, the high black stock, the bulging shirt front, the dangling -bunch of seals at his fob, and the immortal pantaloons of checked -tweed. It is said that one of his admirers in the Bradford Cloth Hall -gave him a bale of plaid trousering ‘a’ oo’’[1] in 1825, and that he -continued until the day of his death to have his nether garments cut -from the inexhaustible store. I have seen Lord Brougham in evening -dress and in the customary black continuations; but I never met him by -daylight without the inevitable checks.” - - - - -ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING - -1809-1861 - - -[Sidenote: M. R. Mitford’s _Recollections of a Literary Life_.] - -“My first acquaintance with Elizabeth Barrett commenced about fifteen -years ago. She was certainly one of the most interesting persons that -I had ever seen. Everybody who then saw her said the same; so that -it is not merely the impression of my partiality, or my enthusiasm. -Of a slight delicate figure, with a shower of dark curls falling on -either side of a most expressive face, large tender eyes, richly -fringed with dark eyelashes, a smile like a sunbeam, and such a look -of youthfulness, that I had some difficulty in persuading a friend, in -whose carriage we went together to Chiswick, that the translatress of -the _Prometheus_ of Æschylus, the authoress of the _Essay on Mind_, was -old enough to be introduced into company, in technical language, was -_out_.”--1835. - -[Sidenote: Sara Coleridge’s _Letters_.] - -“She is little, hard featured, with long dark ringlets, a pale face, -and plaintive voice, something very impressive in her dark eyes and her -brow. Her general aspect puts me in mind of Mignon,--what Mignon might -be in maturity and maternity.”--1851. - -[Sidenote: Crab Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“Dined at home, and at eight dressed to go to Kenyon. With him I found -an interesting person I had never seen before, Mrs. Browning, late -Miss Barrett--not the invalid I expected; she has a handsome oval face, -a fine eye, and altogether a pleasing person. She had no opportunity -for display, and apparently no desire. Her husband has a very amiable -expression. There is a singular sweetness about him.”--1852. - - - - -JOHN BUNYAN - -1628-1688 - - -[Sidenote: Charles Doe’s _Life of John Bunyan_.] - -“He appeared in countenance to be of a stern and rough temper. He -had a sharp, quick eye, accomplished, with an excellent discerning -of persons. As for his person, he was tall of stature, strong-boned, -though not corpulent; somewhat of a ruddy face, with sparkling eyes, -wearing his hair on the upper lip after the old British fashion; his -hair reddish, but in his later days time had sprinkled it with gray; -his nose well set, but not declining or bending, and his mouth moderate -large, his forehead something high, and his habit always plain and -modest.” - -[Sidenote: Tulloch’s _English Puritanism_. *] - -“It is impossible to look at his portrait, and not recognise the lines -of power by which it is everywhere marked. It has more of a sturdy -soldier than anything else--the aspect of a man who would face dangers -any day rather than shun them; and this corresponds exactly to his -description by his oldest biographer and friend, Charles Doe.... A more -manly and robust appearance cannot well be conceived, his eyes only -showing in their sparkling depth the fountains of sensibility concealed -within the roughened exterior. Here, as before, we are reminded of his -likeness to Luther.” - -[Sidenote: Bunyan’s _Works_, 1692.] - -“Give us leave to say his natural parts and abilities were not mean, -his fancy and invention were very pregnant and fertile; the use he -made of them was good, converting them to spiritual objects. His wit -was sharp and quick; his memory tenacious; it being customary with -him to commit his sermons to writing, after he had preached them. His -understanding was large and comprehensive; his judgments sound and deep -in the fundamentals of the Gospel, as his writings evidence. And yet, -this great saint was always, in his own eyes, the chiefest of sinners -and the least of saints; esteeming any, where he did believe the truth -of (their) grace, better than himself. There was, indeed, in him all -the parts of an accomplished man. His carriage was condescending, -affable, and meek to all; yet bold and courageous for Christ’s and the -Gospel’s sake. His countenance was grave and sedate, and did so, to -the life, discover the inward frame of his heart, that it did strike -something of awe into them that had nothing of the fear of God.... His -conversation was as becomes the Gospel.” - - - - -EDMUND BURKE - -1730-1797 - - -[Sidenote: Burney’s _Diary and Letters_.] - -“No expectation that I had formed of Mr. Burke, either from his works, -his speeches, his character, or his fame, had anticipated to me such a -man as I now met. He appeared, perhaps, at the moment, to the highest -possible advantage in health, vivacity, and spirits. Removed from -the impetuous aggravations of party contentions, that at times, by -inflaming his passions, seemed (momentarily, at least), to disorder -his character, he was lulled into gentleness by the grateful sense of -prosperity; exhilarated, but not intoxicated, by sudden success; and -just rising, after toiling years of failures, disappointments, fire and -fury, to place, affluence, and honours, which were brightly smiling on -the zenith of his powers. He looked, indeed, as if he had no wish but -to diffuse philanthropic pleasure and genial gaiety all around. - -“His figure is noble, his air commanding, his address graceful; his -voice clear, penetrating, sonorous, and powerful; his language copious, -eloquent, and changefully impressive; his manners are attractive; his -conversation is past all praise. - -“You may call me mad, I know; but if I wait till I see another Mr. -Burke for such another fit of ecstacy, I may be long enough in my sober -good senses.”--1782. - -[Sidenote: Peter Burke’s _Life of Burke_. *] - -“The personal description of Edmund Burke has been handed down. He was -about five feet ten inches high, well made and muscular; of that firm -and compact frame that denotes more strength than bulk. His countenance -had been in his youth handsome. The expression of his face was less -striking than might have been anticipated; at least it was so until lit -up by the animation of his conversation, or the fire of his eloquence. -In dress he usually wore a brown suit; and he was in his later days -easily recognisable in the House of Commons from his bob-wig and -spectacles.” - -[Sidenote: Macknight’s _Life of Burke_. *] - -“He deserved ... worship better than most idols. Gentle, affectionate, -unassuming towards the members of his own family, he was also -dignified, polished, and courteous in his manner to all the rest of -mankind. Nature had stamped the noblest impress of genius on his -wrinkled brow, and time had slowly conferred a grace on his address -which made him appear singularly pleasing and lovable. In the House of -Commons only the fiercer peculiarities of his character were now seen; -while at home he seemed the mildest and kindest, as well as one of the -best and greatest of human beings. He poured forth the rich treasures -of his mind with the most prodigal bounty. At breakfast and dinner -his gaiety, wit, and pleasantry enlivened the board, and diffused -cheerfulness and happiness all round.” - - - - -ROBERT BURNS - -1759-1796 - - -[Sidenote: Currie’s _Life of Burns_.] - -“Burns ... was nearly five feet ten inches in height, and of a form -that indicated agility as well as strength. His well-raised forehead, -shaded with black curling hair, indicated extensive capacity. His -eyes were large, dark, full of ardour and intelligence. His face was -well-formed, and his countenance uncommonly interesting and expressive. -His mode of dressing, which was often slovenly, and a certain fulness -and bend in his shoulders, characteristic of his original profession, -disguised in some degree the natural symmetry and elegance of his -form. The external appearance of Burns was most strikingly indicative -of the character of his mind. On a first view, his physiognomy had -a certain air of coarseness, mingled, however, with an expression -of deep penetration, and of calm thoughtfulness, approaching to -melancholy.... His dark and haughty countenance easily relaxed into -a look of good-will, of pity, or of tenderness, and, as the various -emotions succeeded each other in his mind, assumed with equal ease the -expression of the broadest humour, of the most extravagant mirth, of -the deepest melancholy, or of the most sublime emotion. The tones of -his voice happily corresponded with the expression of his features, -and with the feelings of his mind. When to these endowments are added -a rapid and distinct apprehension, a most powerful understanding, -and a happy command of language--of strength as well as brilliancy -of expression--we shall be able to account for the extraordinary -attractions of his conversation--for the sorcery which in his social -parties he seemed to exert on all around him.” - -[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Life of Scott_.] - -“His person was strong and robust; his manners rustic, not clownish; a -sort of dignified plainness and simplicity, which received part of its -effect, perhaps, from one’s knowledge of his extraordinary talents. His -features are represented in Mr. Nasmyth’s picture, but to me it conveys -the idea that they are diminished, as if seen in perspective. I think -his countenance was more massive than it looks in any of the portraits. -I would have taken the poet, had I not known what he was, for a very -sagacious country farmer of the old Scotch school; _i.e._ none of your -modern agriculturists, who keep labourers for their drudgery, but the -_douce gudeman_ who held his own plough. There was a strong expression -of sense and shrewdness in all his lineaments; the eye alone, I think, -indicated the poetical character and temperament. It was large, and -of a dark cast, and glowed (I say literally _glowed_) when he spoke -with feeling or interest. I never saw such another eye in a human -head, though I have seen the most distinguished men in my time. His -conversation expressed perfect self-confidence, without the slightest -presumption. Among the men who were the most learned of their time and -country, he expressed himself with perfect firmness, but without the -least intrusive forwardness; and when he differed in opinion, he did -not hesitate to express it firmly, yet, at the same time, with modesty. -I do not remember any part of his conversation distinctly enough to be -quoted, nor did I ever see him again, except in the street, where he -did not recognise me, as I could not expect he should.”--1787. - -[Sidenote: _Dumfries Journal_, 1796.] - -“His personal endowments were perfectly correspondent to the -qualifications of his mind, his form was manly, his action energy -itself, devoid in a great measure perhaps of those graces, of that -polish, acquired only in the refinement of societies where in early -life he could have no opportunities of mixing; but where, such was -the irresistible power of attraction that encircled him, though his -appearance and manners were always peculiar, he never failed to delight -and to excel. His figure seemed to bear testimony to his earlier -destination and employments. It seemed rather moulded by nature for the -rough exercises of agriculture, than the gentler cultivation of the -_Belles Lettres_. His features were stamped with the hardy character -of independence, and the firmness of conscious, though not arrogant, -pre-eminence; the animated expressions of countenance were almost -peculiar to himself; the rapid lightenings of his eye were always the -harbingers of some flash of genius, whether they darted the fiery -glances of insulted and indignant superiority, or beamed with the -impassioned sentiments of fervent and impetuous affections. His voice -alone could improve upon the magic of his eye; sonorous, replete with -the finest modulations, it alternately captivated the ear with the -melody of poetic numbers, the perspicuity of nervous reasoning, or the -ardent sallies of enthusiastic patriotism.” - - - - -SAMUEL BUTLER - -1612-1680 - - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Men_.] - -“He is of a middle stature, strong sett, high-colored, a head of -sorrell haire, a severe and sound judgement: a good fellowe.” - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Men_.] - -“He was of a leonine-colored haire, sanguine, cholerique, middle-sized, -strong; a boon and witty companion, especially among the companie he -knew well.” - - - - -GEORGE, LORD BYRON - -1788-1824 - - -[Sidenote: Moore’s _Life of Byron_.] - -“Among the impressions which this meeting left upon me, what I chiefly -remember to have remarked was the nobleness of his air, his beauty, -the gentleness of his voice and manners, and--what was naturally not -the least attraction--his marked kindness to myself. Being in mourning -for his mother, the colour, as well of his dress as of his glossy, -curling, and picturesque hair, gave more effect to the pure, spiritual -paleness of his features, in the expression of which, when he spoke, -there was a perpetual play of lively thought, though melancholy was -their habitual character when in repose.”--1811. - -[Sidenote: Geo. Ticknor’s _Life_.] - -“I called on Lord Byron to-day, with an introduction from Mr. Gifford. -Here, again, my anticipations were mistaken. Instead of being deformed, -as I had heard, he is remarkably well-built, with the exception of -his feet. Instead of having a thin and rather sharp and anxious face, -as he has in his pictures, it is round, open, and smiling; his eyes -are light, and not black; his air easy and careless, not forward and -striking; and I found his manners affable and gentle, the tones of -his voice low and conciliating, his conversation gay, pleasant, and -interesting in an uncommon degree.”--1815. - -[Sidenote: Moore’s _Life of Byron_.] - -“It would be to little purpose to dwell upon the mere beauty of a -countenance in which the expression of an extraordinary mind was so -conspicuous. What serenity was seated on the forehead, adorned with -the finest chestnut hair, light, curling, and disposed with such art, -that the art was hidden in the imitation of most pleasing nature! What -varied expression in his eyes! They were of the azure colour of the -heavens, from which they seemed to derive their origin. His teeth, in -form, in colour, in transparency, resembled pearls; but his cheeks were -too delicately tinged with the hue of the pale rose. His neck, which he -was in the habit of keeping uncovered as much as the usages of society -permitted, seemed to have been formed in a mould, and was very white. -His hands were as beautiful as if they had been the works of art. His -figure left nothing to be desired, particularly by those who found -rather a grace than a defect in a certain light and gentle undulation -of the person when he entered a room, and of which you hardly felt -tempted to inquire the cause. Indeed it was hardly perceptible,--the -clothes he wore were so long.... His face appeared tranquil like the -ocean on a fine spring morning, but, like it, in an instant became -changed into the tempestuous and terrible, if a passion (a passion did -I say?), a thought, a word occurred to disturb his mind. His eyes then -lost all their sweetness, and sparkled so that it became difficult to -look on them.”--1819. - - - - -THOMAS CAMPBELL - -1777-1844 - - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“They who knew Mr. Campbell only as the author of _Gertrude of -Wyoming_, and the _Pleasures of Hope_, would not have suspected him -to be a merry companion, overflowing with humour and anecdote, and -anything but fastidious.... When I first saw this eminent person, he -gave me the idea of a French Virgil. Not that he was like a Frenchman, -much less the French translator of Virgil. I found him as handsome as -the Abbé Delille is said to have been ugly. But he seemed to me to -embody a Frenchman’s ideal notion of the Latin poet; something a little -more cut and dry than I had looked for; compact and elegant, critical -and acute, with a consciousness of authorship upon him; a taste -over-anxious not to commit itself, and refining and diminishing nature -as in a drawing-room mirror. This fancy was strengthened, in the course -of conversation, by his expatiating on the greatness of Racine. I think -he had a volume of the French poet in his hand. His skull was sharply -cut and fine; with plenty, according to the phrenologists, both of the -reflective and amative organs; and his poetry will bear them out. For a -lettered solitude, and a bridal properly got up, both according to law -and luxury, commend us to the lovely _Gertrude of Wyoming_. His face -and person were rather on a small scale; his features regular; his eye -lively and penetrating; and when he spoke, dimples played about his -mouth, which, nevertheless, had something restrained and close in it. -Some gentle puritan seemed to have crossed the breed, and to have left -a stamp on his face, such as we often see in the female Scotch face -rather than in the male. But he appeared not at all grateful for this; -and when his critiques and his Virgilianism were over, very unlike a -puritan he talked! He seemed to spite his restrictions, and, out of the -natural largeness of his sympathy with things high and low, to break at -once out of Delille’s Virgil into Cotton’s, like a boy let loose from -school. When I had the pleasure of hearing him afterwards, I forgot -his Virgilianisms, and thought only of the delightful companion, the -unaffected philanthropist, and the creator of a beauty worth all the -heroines in Racine.”--About 1809. - -[Sidenote: Patmore’s _Sketch from Real Life_.] - -“The person of this exquisite writer and delightful man is small, -delicately formed, and neatly put together, without being little or -insignificant. His face has all the harmonious arrangement of features -which marks his gentle and refined mind; it is oval, perfectly regular -in its details, and lighted up not merely by ‘eyes of youth,’ but -by a bland smile of intellectual serenity that seems to pervade and -penetrate all the features, and impart to them all a corresponding -expression, such as the moonlight lends to a summer landscape; the -moonlight, not the sunshine; for there is a mild and tender pathos -blended with that expression, which bespeaks a soul that has been -steeped in the depths of human woe, but has turned their waters (as -only poets can) into fountains of beauty and of bliss.” - - -[Sidenote: Beattie’s _Life and Letters of Thomas Campbell_.] - -“He was generally careful as to dress, and had none of Dr. Johnson’s -indifference to fine linen. His wigs were always nicely adjusted, -and scarcely distinguishable from natural hair. His appearance was -interesting and handsome. Though rather below the middle size, he -did not seem little; and his large dark eye and countenance bespoke -great sensibility and acuteness. His thin quivering lip and delicate -nostril were highly expressive. When he spoke, as Leigh Hunt has -remarked, dimples played about his mouth, which, nevertheless, had -something restrained and close in it.... In personal neatness and -fastidiousness--no less than in genius and taste--Campbell in his -best days resembled Gray. Each was distinguished by the same careful -finish in composition--the same classical predilections and lyrical -fire, rarely but strikingly displayed. In ordinary life they were both -somewhat finical--yet with greater freedom and idiomatic plainness in -their unreserved communications--Gray’s being evinced in his letters, -and Campbell’s in conversation.” - - - - -THOMAS CARLYLE - -1795-1881 - - -[Sidenote: Caroline Fox’s _Journals and Letters_.] - -“Carlyle soon appeared, and looked as if he felt a well-dressed London -crowd scarcely the arena for him to figure in as a popular lecturer. -He is a tall, robust-looking man; rugged simplicity and indomitable -strength are in his face, and such a glow of genius in it,--not always -smouldering there, but flashing from his beautiful gray eyes, from the -remoteness of their deep setting under that massive brow. His manner is -very quiet, but he speaks like one tremendously convinced of what he -utters.... He began in a rather low nervous voice, with a broad Scotch -accent, but it soon grew firm, and shrank not abashed from its great -task.”--1840. - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Carlyle_.] - -“He was then fifty-four years old; tall (about five feet eleven), -thin, but at the same time upright, with no signs of the later stoop. -His body was angular, his face beardless, such as it is represented -in Woolner’s medallion, which is by far the best likeness of him in -the days of his strength. His head was extremely long, with the chin -thrust forward; the neck was thin; the mouth firmly closed, the under -lip slightly projecting; the hair grizzled and thick and bushy. His -eyes, which grew lighter with age, were then of a deep violet, with -fire burning at the bottom of them, which flashed out at the least -excitement. The face was altogether most striking, most impressive -in every way. And I did not admire him the less because he treated -me--I cannot say unkindly, but shortly and sternly. I saw then what -I saw ever after--that no one need look for conventional politeness -from Carlyle--he would hear the exact truth from him and nothing -else.”--1849. - -[Sidenote: Wylie’s _Carlyle_.] - -“The maid went forward and said something to Carlyle and left the room. -He was sitting before a fire in an arm-chair, propped up with pillows, -with his feet on a stool, and looked much older than I had expected. -The lower part of his face was covered with a rather shaggy beard, -almost quite white. His eyes were bright blue, but looked filmy from -age. He had on a sort of coloured night-cap, a long gown reaching to -his ankles, and slippers on his feet. A rest attached to the arm of his -chair supported a book before him. I could not quite see the name, but -I think it was Channing’s works. Leaning against the fireplace was a -long clay pipe, and there was a slight smell of tobacco in the room.... -His hands were very thin and wasted, he showed us how they shook and -trembled unless he rested them on something, and said they were failing -him from weakness.... He seemed such a venerable old man, and so worn -and old looking, that I was very much affected. Our visit was on -Tuesday, 18th May 1880, at about 2 P.M.” - - - - -THOMAS CHATTERTON - -1752-1770 - - -[Sidenote: Wilson’s _Chatterton_. *] - -“It is to be feared that no authentic portrait of Chatterton exists; -and even the accounts furnished as to his appearance, only partially -aid us in realising an idea of the manly, handsome boy, with his -flashing, hawklike eye, through which even the Bristol pewterer thought -he could see his soul. His forehead one fancies must have been high; -though hidden, perhaps, as in the supposed Gainsborough portrait, with -long flowing hair. His mouth, like that of his father, was large. -But the brilliancy of his eyes seems to have diverted attention from -every other feature; and they have been repeatedly noted for the -way in which they appeared to kindle in sympathy with his earnest -utterances. Mr. Edward Gardner, who only knew him during his last three -months in Bristol, specially recalled ‘the philosophic gravity of his -countenance, and the keen lightening of his eye.’ Mr. Capel, on the -contrary, resided as an apprentice in the same house where Lambert’s -office was, and saw Chatterton daily. His advances had been repelled -at times with the flashing glances of the poet; and the terms in which -he speaks of his pride and visible contempt for others show there was -little friendship between them. But he also remarks: ‘Upon his being -irritated or otherwise greatly affected, there was a light in his eyes -which seemed very remarkable.’ He had frequently heard this referred -to by others; and Mr. George Catcott speaks of it as one who had often -quailed before such glances, or been spell-bound, like Coleridge’s -wedding guest by the ‘glittering eye’ of the Ancient Mariner. He said -he could never look at it long enough to see what sort of an eye it -was; but it seemed to be a kind of hawk’s eye. You could see his soul -through it.” - -[Sidenote: Gregory’s _Life of Chatterton_. *] - -“The person of Chatterton, like his genius, was premature; he had a -manliness and dignity beyond his years, and there was a something about -him uncommonly prepossessing. His more remarkable feature was his eyes -which, though gray, were uncommonly piercing; when he was warmed in -argument or otherwise, they sparked with fire, and one eye, it is said, -was still more remarkable than the other.” - - - - -GEOFFREY CHAUCER - -ABOUT 1340-1400 - - -[Sidenote: Nicholas’s _Life of Chaucer_. *] - -“The affection of Occleve” (_his contemporary and dear friend_) “has -made Chaucer’s person better known than that of any individual of his -age. The portrait of which an engraving illustrates this memoir, is -taken from Occleve’s painting already mentioned in the Harleian MS. -4866, which he says was painted from memory after Chaucer’s decease, -and which is apparently the only genuine portrait in existence. The -figure, which is half-length, has a background of green tapestry. He -is represented with gray hair and beard, which is bi-forked; he wears -a dark-coloured dress and hood, his right hand is extended, and in -his left he holds a string of beads. From his vest a black case is -suspended, which appears to contain a knife, or possibly a ‘penner’[2] -or pencase. The expression of the countenance is intelligent, but the -fire of the eye seems quenched, and evident marks of advanced age -appear on the countenance. This is incomparably the best portrait of -Chaucer yet discovered.” - -[Sidenote: Nicholas’s _Life of Chaucer_. *] - -“There is a third portrait in a copy of the _Canterbury Tales_ made -about the reign of King Henry the Fifth, being within twenty years of -the poet’s death, in the Lansdowne MS. 851. The figure, which is a -small full-length, is placed in the initial letter of the volume. He -is dressed in a long gray gown, with red stockings, and black shoes -fastened with black sandals round the ankles. His head is bare, and the -hair closely cut. In his right hand he holds an open book; and a knife -or pencase, as in the other portraits, is attached to his vest.” - -_Tradition asserts that Chaucer merged his own personality in that of -the Poet in his_ Canterbury Tales. - -[Sidenote: Prologue to _The Rime of Sire Thopas_.] - - “... Our Hoste to japen he began, - And than at erst he loked upon me, - And saide thus; ‘What man art thou?’ quod he; - ‘Thou lokest, as thou woldest finde an hare, - For ever upon the ground I see thee stare. - - ‘Approche nere, and loke up merily. - Now ware you, sires, and let this man have place. - He in the waste is shapen as wel as I: - This were a popet,[3] in an arme to enbrace - For any woman, smal and faire of face. - He semeth elvish[4] by his contenance, - For unto no wight doth he daliance.’” - - - - -PHILIP, LORD CHESTERFIELD - -1694-1773 - - -[Sidenote: _Life and Letters of Lord Chesterfield._] - -“Philip Dormer Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, was a slight-made man, -of the middle size; rather genteel than handsome either in face or -person: but there was a certain suavity in his countenance, which, -accompanied with a polite address and pleasing elocution, obtained -him in a wonderful degree the admiration of both sexes, and made his -suit irresistible with either. He was naturally possessed of a fine -sensibility; but by a habit of mastering his passions and disguising -his feelings, he at length arrived at the appearance of the most -perfect Stoicism: nothing surprised, alarmed, or discomposed him.” - -[Sidenote: Hayward’s _Lord Chesterfield_. *] - -“The name of Chesterfield has become a synonym for good breeding and -politeness. It is associated in our minds with all that is graceful -in manner and cold in heart, attractive in appearance and unamiable -in reality. The image it calls up is that of a man rather below the -middle height, in a court suit and blue riband, with regular features -wearing an habitual expression of gentleman-like ease. His address -is insinuating, his bow perfect, his compliments rival those of _Le -Grand Monarque_ in delicacy; laughter is too demonstrative for him, -but the smile of courtesy is ever on his lips; and by the time he has -gone through the circle, the great object of his daily ambition is -accomplished--all the women are already half in love with him, and -every man is desirous to be his friend.” - -[Sidenote: _Blackwood’s Magazine_, 1868.] - -“... Lord Hervey pauses in his story of Queen Caroline and her Court -to describe with cutting and bitter force the character and appearance -of his rival courtier.... ‘His person was as disagreeable as it was -possible for a human figure to be without being deformed,’ he says. ‘He -was very short, disproportioned, thick and clumsily made, with black -teeth, and a head big enough for a Polyphemus. One Ben Ashurst, who -said few good things though admired for many, told Lord Chesterfield -once that he was like a stunted giant, which was a humorous idea, -and really apposite.’... The defects of his personal appearance are -evidently exaggerated in this truculent sketch; but his portrait by -Gainsborough, which is said to be the best, affords some foundation for -the picture. The face is heavy, rugged, and unlovely, though full of -force and intelligence; and his unheroic form and stature are points -which Chesterfield himself does not attempt to conceal.” - - - - -WILLIAM COBBETT - -1762-1835 - - -[Sidenote: Bamford’s _Passages in the Life of a Radical_.] - -“Had I met him anywhere else save in the room and on that occasion, I -should have taken him for a gentleman farming his own broad estate. -He seemed to have that kind of self-possession and ease about him, -together with a certain bantering jollity, which are so natural -to fast-handed and well-housed lords of the soil. He was, I should -suppose, not less than six feet in height, portly, with a fresh, clear, -and round cheek, and a small gray eye, twinkling with good-humoured -archness. He was dressed in a blue coat, yellow swan’s-down waistcoat, -drab kerseymere small-clothes, and top-boots. His hair was gray, and -his cravat and linen fine, and very white.”--1818. - -[Sidenote: Hazlitt’s _Table Talk_.] - -“Mr. Cobbett speaks almost as well as he writes. The only time I -ever saw him he seemed to me a very pleasant man, easy of access, -affable, clear-headed, simple and mild in his manner, deliberate and -unruffled in his speech, though some of his expressions were not very -qualified. His figure is tall and portly. He has a good, sensible face, -rather full, with little gray eyes, a hard square forehead, a ruddy -complexion, with hair gray or powdered; and had on a scarlet broadcloth -waistcoat with the flaps of the pockets hanging down, as was the custom -for gentleman farmers in the last century, or as we see it in pictures -of members of parliament in the reign of George I. I certainly did not -think less favourably of him for seeing him.” - -[Sidenote: Watson’s _Biographies of Wilkes and Cobbett_.] - -“In stature the late Mr. Cobbett was tall and athletic. I should think -he could not have been less than six feet two, while his breadth was -proportionately great. He was indeed one of the stoutest men in the -House.... His hair was of a milk-white colour, and his complexion -ruddy. His features were not strongly marked. What struck you most -about his face was his small, sparkling, laughing eyes. When disposed -to be humorous yourself, you had only to look at his eyes, and you -were sure to sympathise with his merriment. When not speaking, the -expression of his eye and his countenance was very different. He was -one of the most striking refutations of the principles of Lavater I -ever witnessed. Never were the looks of any man more completely at -variance with his character. There was something so heavy and dull -about his whole appearance, that any one who did not know him would -at once set him down for some country clodpole, to use a favourite -expression of his own, who not only had never read a book, or had a -single idea in his head, but who was a mere mass of mortality, without -a particle of sensibility of any kind in his composition. He usually -sat with one leg over the other, his head slightly drooping, as if -sleeping, on his breast, and his hat down almost to his eyes. His -usual dress was a light-gray coat of a full make, a white waistcoat, -and kerseymere breeches of a sandy colour. When he walked about the -House, he generally had his hands inserted in his breeches’ pocket. -Considering his advanced age, seventy-three, he looked remarkably hale -and healthy, and walked with a firm but slow step.”--1835. - - - - -HARTLEY COLERIDGE - -1796-1849 - - -[Sidenote: Derwent Coleridge’s _Memoir of Hartley Coleridge_.] - -“I first saw Hartley in the beginning, I think, of 1837, when I was -at Sedbergh, and he heard us our lesson in Mr. Green’s parlour. -My impression of him was what I conceived Shakespeare’s idea of a -gentleman to be, something which we like to have in a picture. He was -dressed in black, his hair, just touched with gray, fell in thick waves -down his back, and he had a frilled shirt on; and there was a sort of -autumnal ripeness and brightness about him. His shrill voice, and his -quick, authoritative ‘Right! right!’ and the chuckle with which he -translated ‘rerum repetundarum’ as ‘peculation, a very common vice in -governors of all ages,’ after which he took a turn round the sofa--all -struck me amazingly.”--1837. - -[Sidenote: Derwent Coleridge’s _Memoir of Hartley Coleridge_.] - -“His manners and appearance were peculiar. Though not dwarfish either -in form or expression, his stature was remarkably low, scarcely -exceeding five feet, and he early acquired the gait and general -appearance of advanced age. His once dark, lustrous hair, was -prematurely silvered, and became latterly quite white. His eyes, dark, -soft, and brilliant, were remarkably responsive to the movements of his -mind, flashing with a light from within. His complexion, originally -clear and sanguine, looked weather-beaten, and the contour of his -face was rendered less pleasing by the breadth of his nose. His head -was very small, the ear delicately formed, and the forehead, which -receded slightly, very wide and expansive. His hands and feet were -also small and delicate. His countenance when in repose, or rather -in stillness, was stern and thoughtful in the extreme, indicating -deep and passionate meditation, so much so as to be at times almost -startling. His low bow on entering a room, in which there were ladies -or strangers, gave a formality to his address, which wore at first the -appearance of constraint; but when he began to talk these impressions -were presently changed,--he threw off the seeming weight of years, his -countenance became genial, and his manner free and gracious.”--1843. - -[Sidenote: Littell’s _Living Age_, 1849.] - -“His head was large and expressive, with dark eyes and white waving -locks, and resting upon broad shoulders, with the smallest possible -apology for a neck. To a sturdy and ample frame were appended legs -and arms of a most disproportioned shortness, and, ‘in his whole -aspect there was something indescribably elfish and grotesque, such as -limners do not love to paint, nor ladies to look upon.’ He reminded -you of a spy-glass shut up, and you wanted to take hold of him and -pull him out into a man of goodly proportions and average stature. It -was difficult to repress a smile at his appearance as he approached, -for the elements were so quaintly combined in him that he seemed like -one of Cowley’s conceits translated into flesh and blood.... His -manners were like those of men accustomed to live much alone, simple, -frank, and direct, but not in all respects governed by the rules of -conventional politeness. It was difficult for him to sit still. He -was constantly leaving his chair, walking about the room, and then -sitting down again, as if he were haunted by an incurable restlessness. -His conversation was very interesting, and marked by a vein of quiet -humour not found in his writings. He spoke with much deliberation, -and in regularly-constructed periods, which might have been printed -without any alteration. There was a peculiarity in his voice not -easily described. He would begin a sentence in a sort of subdued tone, -hardly above a whisper, and end it in something between a bark and a -growl.”--1848. - - - - -SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE - -1772-1834 - - -[Sidenote: de Quincey’s _Life and Writings_.] - -“I had received directions for finding out the house where Coleridge -was visiting; and in riding down a main street of Bridgewater, I -noticed a gateway corresponding to the description given me. Under -this was standing and gazing about him, a man whom I shall describe! -In height he might seem to be about five feet eight (he was in reality -about an inch and a half taller, but his figure was of an order which -drowns the height); his person was broad and full, and tended even -to corpulence; his complexion was fair, though not what painters -technically style fair, because it was associated with black hair; -his eyes were large and soft in their expression, and it was from -the peculiar haze or dreaminess which mixed with their light that I -recognised my object. This was Coleridge.”--1807. - -[Sidenote: Bryan Procter’s _Recollections of Men of Letters_.] - -“Coleridge had a weighty head, dreaming gray eyes, full, sensual lips, -and a look and manner which were entirely wanting in firmness and -decision. His motions also appeared weak and undecided, and his voice -had nothing of the sharpness or ring of a resolute man. When he spoke -his words were thick and slow, and when he read poetry his utterance -was altogether a chant.”--About 1820. - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Life of Carlyle_.] - -“I have seen many curiosities; not the least of them I reckon -Coleridge, the Kantian metaphysician and quondam Lake Poet. I will -tell you all about our interview when we meet. Figure a fat, flabby, -incurvated personage, at once short, rotund, and relaxed, with a -watery mouth, a snuffy nose, a pair of strange brown, timid, yet -earnest-looking eyes, a high tapering brow, and a great bush of gray -hair, and you have some faint idea of Coleridge. He is a kind, good -soul, full of religion and affection and poetry and animal magnetism. -His cardinal sin is that he wants _will_. He has no resolution. He -shrinks from pain or labour in any of its shapes. His very attitude -bespeaks this. He never straightens his knee-joints. He stoops with his -fat, ill-shapen shoulders, and in walking he does not tread, but shovel -and slide. My father would call it ‘skluiffing.’ He is also always -busied to keep, by strong and frequent inhalations, the water of his -mouth from overflowing, and his eyes have a look of anxious impotence. -He _would_ do with all his heart, but he knows he dares not. The -conversation of the man is much as I anticipated--a forest of thoughts, -some true, many false, more _part_ dubious, all of them ingenious in -some degree, often in a high degree. But there is no method in his -talk; he wanders like a man sailing among many currents, whithersoever -his lazy mind directs him; and, what is more unpleasant, he preaches, -or rather soliloquises. He cannot speak, he can only _tal-k_ (so he -names it). Hence I found him unprofitable, even tedious; but we parted -very good friends, I promising to go back and see him some evening--a -promise which I fully intend to keep. I sent him a copy of _Meister_, -about which we had some friendly talk. I reckon him a man of great and -useless genius: a strange, not at all a great man.”--1824. - - - - -WILLIAM COLLINS - -1720-1756 - - -[Sidenote: _Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1781.] - -“Collins I was intimately acquainted with from the time that he came -to reside at Oxford. In London I met him often.... He was of moderate -stature, of a light and clear complexion, with gray eyes so very weak -at times as hardly to bear a candle in the room, and often raising -within him apprehensions of blindness. He was passionately fond of -music, good-natured and affable, warm in his friendships and visionary -in his pursuits, and, as long as I knew him, temperate in his eating -and drinking.” - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Life of Collins_.] - -“About this time I fell into his company. His appearance was decent -and manly; his knowledge considerable, his views extensive, his -conversation elegant, and his disposition cheerful.”--1744. - -[Sidenote: J. Langhorne’s _Memoirs of William Collins_.] - -“Mr. Collins was, in stature, somewhat above the middle size; of a -brown complexion, keen expressive eyes, and a fixed sedate aspect, -which, from intense thinking, had contracted an habitual frown. His -proficiency in letters was greater than could have been expected from -his years. He was skilled in the learned languages, and acquainted with -the Italian, French, and Spanish.” - - - - -WILLIAM COWPER - -1731-1800 - - -[Sidenote: Cowper’s _Letters_.] - -“As for me, I am a very smart youth of my years. I am not indeed grown -gray so much as I am grown bald. No matter. There was more hair in the -world than ever had the honour to belong to me. Accordingly, having -found just enough to curl a little at my ears, and to intermingle -with a little of my own that still hangs behind, I appear, if you -see me in an afternoon, to have a very decent head-dress, not easily -distinguished from my natural growth; which being worn with a small -bag, and a black ribbon about my neck, continues to me the charms of -my youth, even on the verge of age. Away with the fear of writing too -often. - - “Yours, my dearest cousin, - “W. C. - -“_P.S._--That the view I give you of myself may be complete, I add the -two following items,--that I am in debt to nobody, and that I grow -fat.”--1785. - -[Sidenote: H. F. Cary’s _Notice of Cowper_.] - -“Cowper was of a middle height, with limbs strongly framed, hair of -light brown, eyes of a bluish gray, and ruddy complexion.” - -[Sidenote: Rossetti’s _Memoir of Cowper_. *] - -“The eager, sudden-looking, large-eyed, shaven face of Cowper is -familiar to us in his portraits--a face sharp-cut and sufficiently -well-moulded, without being handsome, nor particularly sympathetic. -It is a high-strung, excitable face, as of a man too susceptible -and touchy to put himself forward willingly among his fellows, -but who, feeling a ‘vocation’ upon him, would be more than merely -earnest,--self-asserting, aggressive, and unyielding. This is in fact -very much the character of his writings.” - - - - -GEORGE CRABBE - -1754-1832 - - -[Sidenote: _Life of Crabbe_, by his son.] - -“In the eye of memory I can still see him as he was at that period -of his life,--his fatherly countenance unmixed with any of the less -lovable expressions that in too many faces obscure that character; but -pre-eminently _fatherly_, conveying the ideas of kindness, intellect, -and purity; his manner grave, manly, and cheerful, in unison with his -high and open forehead; his very attitudes, whether as he sat absorbed -in the arrangement of his minerals, shells, and insects; or as he -laboured in his garden until his naturally pale complexion acquired -a tinge of fresh healthy red; or as, coming lightly towards us with -some unexpected present, his smile of indescribable benevolence spoke -exultation in the foretaste of our raptures.”--1789. - -[Sidenote: _Life of Crabbe_, by his son.] - -“... Mr. Lockhart ... recently favoured me with the following -letter.... ‘His noble forehead, his bright beaming eye, without -anything of old age about it--though he was then, I presume, above -seventy; his sweet, and, I would say, innocent smile, and the calm -mellow tones of his voice, are all reproduced the moment I open any -page of his poetry.’”--1822. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“In the appearance of Crabbe there was little of the poet, but even -less of the stern critic of mankind, who looked at nature askance, and -ever contemplated beauty animate or inanimate,-- - - ‘The simple loves and simple joys,’ - -‘through a glass darkly.’ On the contrary, he seemed to my eyes the -representative of the class of rarely troubled, and seldom thinking, -English farmers. A clear gray eye, a ruddy complexion, as if he loved -exercise and wooed mountain breezes, were the leading characteristics -of his countenance. It is a picture of age, ‘frosty but kindly,’--that -of a tall and stalwart man gradually grown old, to whom age was rather -an ornament than a blemish. He was one of those instances of men, plain -perhaps in youth, and homely of countenance in manhood, who become -absolutely handsome when white hairs have become a crown of glory, and -indulgence in excesses or perilous passions has left no lines that -speak of remorse, or even of errors unatoned.”--1825-26. - - - - -DANIEL DE FOE - -1661-1731 - - -[Sidenote: Secretary of State’s Proclamation.] - -“Whereas, Daniel De Foe, _alias_ De Fooe, is charged with writing a -scandalous and seditious pamphlet entitled _The Shortest Way with the -Dissenters_. He is a middle-sized spare man, about forty years old, -of a brown complexion, and dark brown-colored hair, but wears a wig; -a hooked nose, a sharp chin, gray eyes, and a large mole near his -mouth.”--1703. - -[Sidenote: Wilson’s _De Foe_. *] - -“A likeness of the author, engraved by M. Vandergucht, from a painting -by Taverner, is prefixed.” (_To a volume of treatises published in -1703._) “It is the first portrait of De Foe, and probably the most -like him. The following description of it by a recent biographer is -strikingly characteristic: ‘No portrait can have more verisimilitude, -to say the least of it. It exhibits a set of features rather regular -than otherwise, very determined in its outlines, more particularly the -mouth, which expresses great firmness and resolution of character. The -eyes are full, black, and grave-looking, but the impression of the -whole countenance is rather a striking than a pleasing one. Daniel is -here set forth in a most lordly and full-bottomed wig, which flows -down lower than his elbow, and rises above his forehead with great -amplitude of curl. A richly-laced cravat, and fine loose-flowing cloak -completes his attire, and preserve, we may suppose, the likeness -of that civic “gallantry” which Oldmixon ascribes to Daniel on the -occasion of his escorting King William to the Lord Mayor’s feast. It is -altogether more like a picture of a substantial citizen of the “surly -breed” De Foe has himself so often satirised, than that of a poor -pamphleteer languishing in jail after the terrors of the pillory.’” - -[Sidenote: John Forster’s _Bibliographical Essays_. *] - -“It is, to us, very pleasing to contemplate the meeting of such -a sovereign and such a subject, as William and De Foe. There was -something not dissimilar in their physical aspect, as in their moral -temperament resemblances undoubtedly existed. The King was the elder -by ten years, but the middle size, the spare figure, the hooked nose, -the sharp chin, the keen gray eye, the large forehead, and grave -appearance, were common to both. William’s manner was cold, except in -battle, and little warmth was ascribed to De Foe’s, unless he spoke of -civil liberty.” - - - - -CHARLES DICKENS - -1812-1870 - - -[Sidenote: Forster’s _Life of Dickens_.] - -“Very different was his face in those days from that which photography -has made familiar to the present generation. A look of youthfulness -first attracted you, and then a candour and openness of expression -which made you sure of the qualities within. The features were very -good. He had a capital forehead, a firm nose with full wide nostrils, -eyes wonderfully beaming with intellect and running over with humour -and cheerfulness, and a rather prominent mouth strongly marked with -sensibility. The head was altogether well formed and symmetrical, and -the air and carriage of it was extremely spirited. The hair so scant -and grizzled in later days was then of a rich brown and most luxuriant -abundance, and the bearded face of his last two decades had hardly a -vestige of hair or whisker; but there was that in the face as I first -recollect it which no time could change, and which remained implanted -on it unalterably to the last. This was the quickness, keenness, and -practical power, the eager, restless, energetic outlook on each several -feature, that seemed to tell so little of a student or writer of books, -and so much of a man of action and business in the world. Light and -motion flashed from every part of it. _It was as if made of steel_, was -said of it, four or five years after the time to which I am referring, -by a most original and delicate observer, the late Mrs. Carlyle. ‘What -a face is his to meet in a drawing-room!’ wrote Leigh Hunt to me, the -morning after I had made them known to each other. ‘It has the life -and soul in it of fifty human beings.’ In such sayings are expressed -not alone the restless and resistless vivacity and force of which I -have spoken, but that also which lay beneath them of steadiness and -hard endurance.”--1838. - -[Sidenote: J. T. Fields’s _Yesterdays with Authors_.] - -“How well I recall the bleak winter evening in 1842 when I first saw -the handsome, glowing face of the young man who was even then famous -over half the globe! He came bounding into the Tremont House, fresh -from the steamer that had brought him to our shores, and his cheery -voice rang through the hall, as he gave a quick glance at the new -scenes opening upon him in a strange land on first arriving at a -Transatlantic hotel. ‘Here we are!’ he shouted, as the lights burst -upon the merry party just entering the house, and several gentlemen -came forward to meet him. Ah, how happy and buoyant he was then! Young, -handsome, almost worshipped for his genius, belted round by such -troops of friends as rarely ever man had, coming to a new country to -make new conquests of fame and honor,--surely it was a sight long to -be remembered and never wholly to be forgotten. The splendour of his -endowments and the personal interest he had won to himself called forth -all the enthusiasm of old and young America, and I am glad to have -been among the first to welcome his arrival. You ask me what was his -appearance as he ran, or rather flew, up the steps of the hotel, and -sprang into the hall? He seemed all on fire with curiosity, and alive -as I never saw mortal before. From top to toe every fibre of his body -was unrestrained and alert. What vigor, what keenness, what freshness -of spirit, possessed him! He laughed all over, and did not care who -heard him! He seemed like the Emperor of Cheerfulness on a cruise of -pleasure, determined to conquer a realm or two of fun every hour of his -overflowing existence. That night impressed itself on my memory for all -time, so far as I am concerned with things sublunary. It was Dickens, -the true ‘Boz,’ in flesh and blood, who stood before us at last, and -with my companions, three or four lads of my own age, I determined to -sit up late that night.”--1842. - -[Sidenote: The Cowden Clarkes’ _Recollections of writers_.] - -“Charles Dickens had that acute perception of the comic side of things -which causes irrepressible brimming of the eyes; and what eyes his -were! Large, dark blue, exquisitely shaped, fringed with magnificently -long and thick lashes--they now swam in liquid, limpid suffusion, -when tears started into them from a sense of humour or a sense of -pathos, and now darted quick flashes of fire when some generous -indignation at injustice, or some high-wrought feeling of admiration at -magnanimity, or some sudden emotion of interest and excitement touched -him. Swift-glancing, appreciative, rapidly observant, truly superb -orbits they were, worthy of the other features in his manly, handsome -face. The mouth was singularly mobile, full-lipped, well-shaped, -and expressive; sensitive, nay restless, in its susceptibility to -impression that swayed him, or sentiment that moved him. He, who -saw into apparently slightest trifles that were fraught to his -perception with deeper significance; he, who beheld human nature with -insight almost superhuman, and who revered good and abhorred evil -with intensity, showed instantaneously by his expressive countenance -the kind of idea that possessed him. This made his conversation -enthralling, his acting first-rate, and his reading superlative.” - - - - -ISAAC D’ISRAELI - -1766-1848 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a long Life_.] - -“I found him a most kindly and courteous gentleman, obviously of a -tender, loving nature, and certainly more than willing to give me what -I asked for. I do not recall him as like his illustrious son; if my -memory serves me rightly, he was rather fair than dark; not above the -middle height, with features calm in expression; his eyes (which, -however, were always covered with spectacles) sparkling, and searching, -but indicating less the fire of genius than the patient inquiry that -formed the staple of his books.”--1823. - -[Sidenote: Beaconsfield’s _Memoirs of Isaac D’Israeli_.] - -“As the world has always been fond of personal details respecting men -who have been celebrated, I will mention that he was fair, with a -Bourbon nose, and brown eyes of extraordinary beauty and lustre. He -wore a small black velvet cap, but his white hair latterly touched his -shoulders in curls almost as flowing as in his boyhood. His extremities -were delicate and well formed, and his leg, at his last hour, as -shapely as in his youth, which showed the vigour of his frame. Latterly -he had become corpulent. He did not excel in conversation, though -in his domestic circle he was garrulous. Everything interested him, -and blind and eighty-two, he was still as susceptible as a child.... -He more resembled Goldsmith than any man that I can compare him to: -in his conversation, his apparent confusion of ideas ending with -some felicitous phrase of genius, his _naïveté_, his simplicity not -untouched with a dash of sarcasm affecting innocence--one was often -reminded of the gifted and interesting friend of Burke and Johnson. -There was, however, one trait in which my father did not resemble -Goldsmith; he had no vanity. Indeed, one of his few infirmities was -rather a deficiency of self-esteem.” - -[Sidenote: Chorley’s _Personal Reminiscences_.] - -“Mr. D’Israeli was announced.... An old gentleman, _strictly_ in his -appearance; a countenance which at first glance (owing, perhaps, to -the mouth, which hangs), I fancied slightly chargeable with solidity -of expression, but which developed strong sense as it talked; a rather -_soigné_ style of dress for so old a man, and a manner good-humoured, -complimentary (to Gebir), discursive and prosy, bespeaking that -engrossment and interest in his own pursuits which might be expected to -be found in a person so patient in research and collection. But there -is a tone of _philosophe_ (or I fancied it), which I did not quite -like.”--1838. - - - - -JOHN DRYDEN - -1631-1700 - - -[Sidenote: Anderson’s _Poets of Great Britain_.] - -“Of the person, private life, and domestic manners of Dryden, very few -particulars are known. His picture by Kneller would lead us to suppose -that he was graceful in his person; but Kneller was a great mender of -nature. From the _State Poems_ we learn that he was a short, thick man. -The nickname given him by his enemies was _Poet Squab_. ‘I remember -plain John Dryden’ (says a writer in the _Gentleman’s Magazine_ for -February 1745, who was then eighty-seven years of age) ‘before he paid -his court to the great, in one uniform clothing of Norwich drugget. -I have eat tarts with him and Madam Reeve (the actress) at the -Mulberry Garden, when our author advanced to a sword and _Chedreux_ -wig (probably the wig that Swift has ridiculed in _The Battle of the -Books_). Posterity is absolutely mistaken as to that great man. Though -forced to be a satirist, he was the mildest creature breathing, and -the readiest to help the young and deserving. Though his comedies -are horribly full of _double entendre_, yet ’twas owing to a false -compliance for a dissolute age; he was in company the modestest man -that ever conversed.’... From those notices which he has very liberally -given us of himself, it appears, that ‘his conversation was slow and -dull, his humour saturnine and reserved, and that he was none of those -who endeavour to break jests in company, and make repartees.’” - -[Sidenote: Gilfillan’s _Life of Dryden_. *] - -“As to his habits and manners little is known, and that little is worn -threadbare by his many biographers. In appearance he became in his -maturer years fat and florid, and obtained the name of ‘Poet Squab.’ -His portraits show a shrewd but rather sluggish face, with long gray -hair floating down his cheeks, not unlike Coleridge, but without his -dreamy eye like a nebulous star. His conversation was less sprightly -than solid. Sometimes men suspected that he had ‘sold all his thoughts -to his booksellers.’ His manners are by his friends pronounced -‘modest,’ and the word modest has since been amiably confounded by his -biographers with ‘pure.’ Bashful he seems to have been to awkwardness; -but he was by no means a model of the virtues. He loved to sit at -Will’s coffee-house and be the arbiter of criticism. His favourite -stimulus was snuff, and his favourite amusement angling. He had a bad -address, a down look, and little of the air of a gentleman.” - -[Sidenote: Christie’s _Memoir of Dryden_. *] - -“Some notion of Dryden’s personal appearance may be gathered from -contemporary notices. He was of short stature, stout, and ruddy in the -face. Rochester christened him ‘Poet Squab,’ and Tom Brown always calls -him ‘Little Bayes.’ Shadwell, in his _Medal of John Bayes_, sneers at -him as a cherry-cheeked dunce; another lampooner calls him ‘learned and -florid.’ Pope remembered him as plump and of fresh colour, with a down -look. Lady de Longueville, who died in 1763 at the age of a hundred, -told Oldys that she remembered Dryden dining with her husband, and that -the most remarkable part of his appearance was an uncommon distance -between his eyes. He had a large mole on his right cheek. The friendly -writer of some lines on his portrait by Closterman says: - - ‘A sleepy eye he shows, and no sweet feature.’ - -He appears to have become gray comparatively early, and he let his -gray hair grow long. We see him with his long gray locks in the -portrait by which, through engravings, his face is best known to us, -painted by Kneller in 1698. The face, as we know it by that picture -and the engravings, is handsome, it indicates intellect, and sensual -characteristics are not wanting.” - - - - -MARY ANNE EVANS - -(GEORGE ELIOT) - -1819-1880 - - -[Sidenote: _Harper’s Magazine_, 1881.] - -“In more than one striking passage in his novels Mr. Hardy has -recognised the fact that the beauty of the future, as the race is more -developed in intellect, cannot be the mere physical beauty of the past; -and in one of the most remarkable he says that ‘ideal physical beauty -is incompatible with mental development, and a full recognition of -the evil of things. Mental luminousness must be fed with the oil of -life, even though there is already a physical need for it.’ And this -was the case with George Eliot. The face was one of a group of four, -not all equally like each other, but all of the same spiritual family, -and with a curious interdependance of likeness. These four are Dante, -Savonarola, Cardinal Newman, and herself.... In the group of which -George Eliot was one there is the same straight wall of brow; the -droop of the powerful nose; mobile lips, touched with strong passion, -kept resolutely under control; a square jaw, which would make the face -stern, were it not counteracted by the sweet smile of lip and eye.... -The two or three portraits that exist, though valuable, give but a very -imperfect presentiment. The mere shape of the head would be the despair -of any painter. It was so grand and massive that it would scarcely be -possible to represent it without giving the idea of disproportion to -the frame of which no one ever thought for a moment when they saw her, -although it was a surprise, when she stood up, to see that after all, -she was but a little fragile woman who bore this weight of brow and -brain.” - -[Sidenote: _The Century_, 1881.] - -“Everything in her aspect and presence was in keeping with the bent of -her soul. The deeply-lined face, the too marked and massive features, -were united with an air of delicate refinement, which in one way was -the more impressive because it seemed to proceed so entirely from -within. Nay, the inward beauty would sometimes quite transform the -external harshness; there would be moments when the thin hands that -entwined themselves in their eagerness, the earnest figure that bowed -forward to speak and hear, the deep gaze moving from one face to -another with a grave appeal,--all these seemed the transparent symbols -that showed the presence of a wise benignant soul. But it was the voice -which best revealed her, a voice whose subdued intensity and tremulous -richness seemed to environ her uttered words with the mystery of a -work of feeling that must remain untold.... And then again, when in -moments of more intimate converse some current of emotion would set -strongly through her soul, when she would raise her head in unconscious -absorption and look out into the unseen, her expression was not one to -be soon forgotten. It had not, indeed, the serene felicity of souls to -whose child-like confidence all heaven and earth are fair. Rather it -was the look (if I may use a platonic phrase) of a strenuous Demiurge, -of a soul on which high tasks are laid, and which finds in their -accomplishment its only imagination of joy.” - -[Sidenote: William Morgan’s _George Eliot_. *] - -“I was disappointed when I found the illustrated papers gave no -portraits of George Eliot, and I afterwards learned that, celebrated -as she is in other ways, she enjoys the rare, and perhaps unique, -distinction that she was never photographed. Two portraits of her are, -however, in existence. One, by Mr. Lawrence, hangs in Mr. Blackwood’s -drawing-room in Edinburgh; the other, by Mr. Buxton, was in her own -house at Chelsea. She is described as a woman of large, massive, and -homely features, which were softened and irradiated by a gracious -and winning smile. The size, shape, and poise of her head were very -noticeable, and some of her friends have been struck by her resemblance -to the portrait of Savonarola by Fra Bartolommea. Her voice was rich -and melodious, and those who best knew her speak of her as a strangely -fascinating and sympathetic woman, who left on every one who approached -her an impression of goodness and greatness. Her conversation had no -traces of the rich humour which runs through some of her writings, but -she joined very heartily in the jocularity of others.” - - - - -HENRY FIELDING - -1707-1754 - - -[Sidenote: Roscoe’s _Life of Fielding_. *] - -“With regard to his personal appearance, Fielding was strongly built, -robust, and in height rather exceeding six feet; he was also remarkably -active, till repeated attacks of gout had broken down the vigour of a -fine constitution. Naturally of a dignified presence, he was equally -impressive in his tone and manner, which added to his peculiarly-marked -features; his conversational powers and rare wit must have given him a -decided influence in general society, and not a little ascendency over -the minds of common men.” - -[Sidenote: Jeaffreson’s _Novels and Novelists_. *] - -“That our nation was well and favourably represented by him, amongst -the lads at the university, there can be no doubt; for he was a -magnificent fellow, frank in bearing, agile as a trained wrestler, -rather exceeding six feet in height, with a face, both by aristocratic -features and gallant expression, remarkably engaging, with a fresh, -slightly ruddy complexion, and a winning smile of the most mirthful -intelligence, with an air commanding, but free from the slightest taint -of haughtiness, and lastly, with a disposition as well endowed as his -mind,--generous and truly noble as became one sprung from the seed of -kings.”--1725. - -[Sidenote: Lawrence’s _Life of Fielding_. *] - -“The personal appearance of the great novelist has been thus described -by his friend, Mr. Arthur Murphy: ‘Henry Fielding was in stature -rather rising above six feet; his frame of body large and remarkably -robust, till the gout had broken the vigour of his constitution.’ His -features were marked and striking, so much so, that a portrait of him -was painted by his friend Hogarth from memory, with the assistance of a -profile which had been cut in paper with a pair of scissors by a lady. -Though he was singularly handsome in his youth, in his later years it -appears, from his own account, that his gouty and dropsical figure was -anything but agreeable to behold. But his cheerfulness and good temper -rendered him to the last a delightful companion, and endeared him to -his family and friends.” - - - - -JOHN GAY - -1688-1732 - - -[Sidenote: Coxe’s _Life of John Gay_.] - -“His physiognomy does not appear to have been remarkable for -strong lines or expressive features, it rather denoted benignity -and meekness.... In his person Gay was inclined to corpulency; a -circumstance which he humorously alludes to in his Epistle to Lord -Burlington: - - ‘You knew fat bards might tire, - And mounted sent me forth your trusty squire.’ - -His natural corpulency was increased by extreme indolence, for which -his friends often rallied him. Swift, in a letter to the Duchess of -Queensberry, thus expresses himself on this subject: ‘You need not be -in pain about Mr. Gay’s stock of health; I promise you he will spend -it all upon laziness, and run deep in debt by a winter’s repose in -town; therefore I entreat your Grace will order him to move his chaps -less, and his legs more, the six cold months, else he will spend all -his money in physic and coach-hire.’--8th October 1731.... In the early -part of his life Gay was extremely fond of dress.... Pope also touches -upon this weakness in a letter to Swift.--18th December 1713. - -... “‘One Mr. Gay, an unhappy youth, who writes pastorals during the -time of divine service; whose case is the more deplorable, as he hath -miserably lavished away all that silver he should have reserved for his -soul’s health in buttons and loops for his coat.’” - -[Sidenote: Thackeray’s _English Humourists_. *] - -“In the portraits of the literary worthies of the early part of -the last century, Gay’s face is the pleasantest perhaps of all. It -appears adorned with neither periwig nor nightcap (the full dress -and _négligée_ of learning without which the painters of those days -scarcely ever pourtrayed wits), and he laughs at you over his shoulder -with an honest boyish glee--an artless sweet humour. He was so kind, -so gentle, so jocular, so delightfully brisk at times, so dismally -woe-begone at others, such a natural good creature, that the Giants -loved him.” - - - - -EDWARD GIBBON - -1737-1794 - - -[Sidenote: Colman’s _Random Recollections_.] - -“The learned Gibbon was a curious counter-balance to the learned (may -I not say the less learned) Johnson. Their manners and tastes, both -in writing and conversation, were as different as their habiliments. -On the day I first sat down with Johnson in his rusty brown suit and -his black worsted stockings, Gibbon was placed opposite to me in a -suit of flowered velvet, with a bag and sword. Each had his measured -phraseology, and Johnson’s famous parallel between Dryden and Pope -might be loosely parodied in reference to himself and Gibbon. Johnson’s -style was grand, and Gibbon’s elegant: the stateliness of the former -was sometimes pedantic, and the latter was occasionally finical. -Johnson marched to kettledrums and trumpets, Gibbon moved to flutes -and hautboys. Johnson hewed passages through the Alps, while Gibbon -levelled walks through parks and gardens. Mauled as I had been by -Johnson, Gibbon poured balm upon my bruises by condescending once or -twice in the course of the evening to talk with me. The great historian -was light and playful, suiting his matter to the capacity of a boy; but -it was done _more suo_--still his mannerism prevailed, still he tapped -his snuff-box, still he smirked and smiled, and rounded his periods -with the same air of good-breeding, as if he were conversing with men. -His mouth, mellifluous as Plato’s, was a round hole nearly in the -centre of his visage.” - -[Sidenote: Lord Sheffield’s _Gibbon_.] - -“M. Pavilliard has described to me the astonishment with which he gazed -on Mr. Gibbon standing before him; a thin little figure, with a large -head, disputing and urging, with the greatest ability, all the best -arguments that had ever been used in favour of popery. Mr. Gibbon many -years ago became very fat and corpulent, but he had uncommonly small -bones, and was very slightly made.” - -[Sidenote: _Quarterly Review_, 1809. *] - -“As to his manners in society, without doubt the agreeableness of -Gibbon was neither that yielding and retiring complaisance, nor that -modesty which is forgetful of self; but his vanity never showed itself -in an offensive manner: anxious to succeed and to please, he wished to -command attention, and obtained it without difficulty by a conversation -animated, sprightly, and full of matter: all that was dictatorial in -his tone betrayed not so much that desire of domineering over others, -which is always offensive, as confidence in himself. Notwithstanding -this, his conversation never carried one away; its fault was a kind of -arrangement which never permitted him to say anything unless well.” - - - - -WILLIAM GODWIN - -1756-1836 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“In person he was remarkably sedate and solemn, resembling in dress and -manner a Dissenting minister rather than the advocate of ‘free-thought’ -in all things--religious, moral, social, and intellectual; he was short -and stout, his clothes loosely and carelessly put on, and usually old -and worn; his hands were generally in his pockets; he had a remarkably -large, bald head, and a weak voice; seeming generally half asleep -when he walked, and even when he talked. Few who saw this man of -calm exterior, quiet manners, and inexpressive features, could have -believed him to have originated three romances--_Falkland_, _Caleb -Williams_, and _St. Leon_,--not yet forgotten because of their terrible -excitements; and the work, _Political Justice_, which for a time -created a sensation that was a fear in every state of Europe.... Lamb -called him ‘a good-natured heathen’; Southey said of him, in 1797, ‘He -has large noble eyes, and a nose--oh! most abominable nose.’” - -[Sidenote: George Ticknor’s _Life_.] - -“Godwin is as far removed from everything feverish and exciting as if -his head had never been filled with anything but geometry. He is now -about sixty-five, stout, well-built, and unbroken by age, with a cool, -dogged manner, exactly opposite to everything I had imagined of the -author of _St. Leon_ and _Caleb Williams_.”--1819. - -[Sidenote: H. Martineau’s _Autobiography_.] - -“The mention of Coleridge reminds me, I hardly know why, of Godwin, -who was an occasional morning visitor of mine. I looked upon him as a -curious monument of a bygone state of society; and there was still a -good deal that was interesting in him. His fine head was striking, and -his countenance remarkable. It must not be judged of by the pretended -likeness put forth in _Fraser’s Magazine_ about that time, and -attributed, with the whole set, to Maclise.... The high Tory favourites -of the Magazine were exhibited to the best advantage; while Liberals -were represented as Godwin was. Because the finest thing about him was -his noble head, they put on a hat; and they represented him in profile -because he had lost his teeth, and his lips fell in. No notion of -Godwin’s face could have been formed from that caricature.”--1833. - - - - -OLIVER GOLDSMITH - -1728-1774 - - -[Sidenote: Forster’s _Life and Times of Oliver Goldsmith_.] - -“You scarcely can conceive how much eight years of disappointment, -anguish, and study, have worn me down.... Imagine to yourself a pale -melancholy visage, with two great wrinkles between the eyebrows, with -an eye disgustingly severe, and, a big wig, and you may have a perfect -picture of my present appearance.... I can neither laugh nor drink, -have contracted a hesitating disagreeable manner of speaking, and a -visage that looks ill-nature itself; in short, I have thought myself -into a settled melancholy, and an utter disgust of all that life brings -with it.”--1759. - -[Sidenote: Boswell’s _Life of Dr. Johnson_.] - -“He was very much what the French call _un étourdi_, and from -vanity and an eager desire of being conspicuous wherever he was, he -frequently talked carelessly without knowledge of the subject, or even -without thought. His person was short, his countenance coarse and -vulgar, his deportment that of a scholar awkwardly affecting the easy -gentleman.”--1763. - -[Sidenote: R. Walsh’s _British Poets_. *] - -“Nothing could be more amiable than the general features of his mind; -those of his person were not perhaps so engaging. His stature was under -the middle size, his body strongly built, and his limbs more sturdy -than elegant. His complexion was pale, his forehead low, his face -almost round and pitted with the small-pox, but marked with strong -lines of thinking. His first appearance was not captivating; but when -he grew easy and cheerful in company, he relaxed into such a display of -good-humour as soon removed every unfavourable impression.” - - - - -DAVID GRAY - -1838-1861 - - -[Sidenote: Buchanan’s _Life of David Gray_.] - -“At twenty-one years of age ... David was a tall young man, slightly -but firmly built, and with a stoop at the shoulders. His head was -small, fringed with black curly hair. Want of candour was not his -fault, though he seldom looked one in the face; his eyes, however, -were large and dark, full of intelligence and humour, harmonising well -with the long thin nose and nervous lips. The great black eyes and -woman’s mouth betrayed the creature of impulse; one whose reasoning -faculties were small, but whose temperament was like red-hot coal. He -sympathised with much that was lofty, noble, and true in poetry, and -with much that was absurd and suicidal in the poet. He carried sympathy -to the highest pitch of enthusiasm; he shed tears over the memories of -Keats and Burns, and he was corybantic in his execution of a Scotch -‘reel.’”--1859. - -[Sidenote: R. M. Milnes’s _Notice on David Gray_.] - -“I was told a young man wished to see me, and when he came into the -room I at once saw it was no other than the young Scotch poet. It was -a light, well-built, but somewhat stooping figure, with a countenance -that at once brought strongly to my recollection a cast of a face of -Shelley in his youth, which I had seen at Mr. Leigh Hunt’s. There was -the same full brow, out-looking eyes, and sensitive melancholy mouth.” - -[Sidenote: Hedderwick’s _Memoir of David Gray_.] - -“In person, the deceased poet was tall, with a slight stoop. His head -was not large, but his temperament was of the keenest and brightest -edge. With black curling hair, eyes dark, large, and lustrous, and a -complexion of almost feminine delicacy, his appearance never failed to -make a favourable impression on strangers.” - - - - -THOMAS GRAY - -1716-1771 - - -[Sidenote: Gosse’s _Gray_. *] - -“In one of Philip Gray’s fits of extravagance he seems to have had a -full-length of his son painted about this time, by the fashionable -portrait-painter of the day, Jonathan Richardson the elder. This -picture is now in the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge. The head is -good in colour and modelling; a broad pale brow, sharp nose and chin, -large eyes, and a pert expression, give a lively idea of the precocious -and not very healthy young gentleman of thirteen. He is dressed in a -blue satin coat, lined with pale shot silk, and crosses his stockinged -legs so as to display dapper slippers of russet leather.”--1729. - -[Sidenote: Warburton’s _Horace Walpole and his contemporaries_. *] - -“Gray, judging from his portrait by Echardt, lately at Strawberry -Hill, was eminently the poet and the scholar in his appearance. A -delicate frame, a pale complexion, an expansive forehead, clear eyes, -a small mouth, and regular features, bearing the general impression of -thoughtfulness and melancholy, surrounded by his own hair, worn long, -prepossessed the spectator in his favour, and charmed those who were -already his admirers.” - -[Sidenote: Gosse’s _Gray_.] - -“Mr. Gray’s singular niceness in the choice of his acquaintance makes -him appear fastidious in a great degree to all who are not acquainted -with his manner. He is of a fastidious and recluse distance of -carriage, rather averse to all sociability, but of the graver turn, -nice and elegant in his person, dress, and behaviour, even to a degree -of finicality and effeminacy.”--1770. - - - - -HENRY HALLAM - -1777-1859 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“Hallam was a tall and remarkably handsome man, very stately in look -and manner. His countenance was thoughtful and intelligent, yet by no -means stern. On the contrary, he was kindly and condescending. I had -once occasion to apply to him for information. He gave it graciously -and gracefully, and appeared as if he had received instead of conferred -a compliment.” - -[Sidenote: George Ticknor’s _Life_.] - -“Mr. Hallam is, I suppose, about sixty years old, gray-headed, -hesitates a little in his speech, is lame, and has a shy manner which -makes him blush frequently, when he expresses as decided an opinion as -his temperament constantly leads him to entertain. Except his lameness, -he has a fine dignified person, and talked pleasantly, with that air of -kindness which is always so welcome to a stranger.... He is a wise man, -a little nervous in his manner and a little fidgety, yet of a sound and -quiet judgment.”--1838. - -[Sidenote: Jerdan’s _Men I have known_.] - -“A statue of him by Mr. Theed was sculptured for St. Paul’s Cathedral, -and a good copy was exhibited at the last National Exhibition, though -I was not altogether satisfied with the likeness, nor thought the -accessories well chosen and happy; for a standing figure, nevertheless, -it has the great merit of simplicity. - -“Though habitually rather grave, the pleasant smile best became his -features, and I do not think he was often guilty of audible laughter.” - - - - -WILLIAM HAZLITT - -1778-1830 - - -[Sidenote: Patmore’s _Personal Recollections_.] - -“The truth is, that for depth, force, and variety of intellectual -expression, a finer head and face than Hazlitt’s were never seen. -I speak of them when his countenance was not dimmed and obscured -by illness, or clouded and deformed by those fearful indications -of internal passion which he never even attempted to conceal. -The expression of Hazlitt’s face, when anything was said in his -presence that seriously offended him, or when any peculiarly painful -recollection passed across his mind, was truly awful, more so than can -be conceived as within the capacity of the human countenance; except, -perhaps, by those who have witnessed Edmund Kean’s last scene of ‘Sir -Giles Overreach’ from the front of the pit. But when he was in good -health, and in a tolerable humour with himself and the world, his face -was more truly and entirely answerable to the intellect that spoke -through it, than any other I ever saw, either in life or on canvas; and -its crowning portion--the brow and forehead--was, to my thinking, quite -unequalled for mingled capacity and beauty. - -“For those who desire a more particular description, I will add that -Hazlitt’s features, though not cast in any received classical mould, -were regular in their formation, perfectly consonant with each other, -and so finely ‘chiseled’ (as the phrase is), that they produced a much -more prominent and striking effect than their scale of size might have -led one to expect. The forehead, as I have hinted, was magnificent; the -nose precisely that (combining strength with lightness and elegance) -which physiognomists have assigned as evidence of a fine and highly -cultivated taste, though there was a peculiar character about the -nostrils like that observable in those of a fiery and unruly horse. The -mouth, from its ever-changing form and character, could scarcely be -described, except as to its astonishingly varied power of expression, -which was equal to, and greatly resembled, that of Edmund Kean. His -eyes, I should say, were not good. They were never brilliant, and there -was a furtive and at times a sinister look about them, as they glanced -suspiciously from under their overhanging brows, that conveyed a very -unpleasant impression to those who did not know him. And they were -seldom directed frankly and fairly towards you, as if he were afraid -that you might read in them what was passing in his mind concerning -you. His head was nobly formed and placed, with (until the last few -years of his life) a profusion of coal-black hair, richly curled; and -his person was of middle height, rather slight, but well formed and put -together.” - -[Sidenote: Bryan Procter’s _Recollections of Men of Letters_.] - -“My first meeting with Mr. Hazlitt took place at the house of -Leigh Hunt, where I met him at supper. I expected to see a severe, -defiant-looking being. I met a grave man, diffident, almost awkward -in manner, whose appearance did not impress me with much respect. He -had a quick, restless eye, however, which opened eagerly when any -good or bright observation was made; and I found at the conclusion of -the evening, that when any question arose, the most sensible reply -always came from him.... Hazlitt was of the middle size, with eager, -expressive eyes, near which his black hair, sprinkled sparely with -gray, curled round in a wiry, resolute manner. His gray eyes, not -remarkable in colour, expanded into great expression when occasion -demanded it. Being very shy, however, they often evaded your steadfast -look. They never (as has been asserted by some one) had a sinister -expression, but they sometimes flamed with indignant glances when their -owner was moved to anger, like the eyes of other angry men. At home, -his style of dress (or undress) was perhaps slovenly, because there -was no one to please; but he always presented a very neat and clean -appearance when he went abroad. His mode of walking was loose, weak, -and unsteady, although his arms displayed strength, which he used to -put forth when he played at racquets with Martin Burney and others.” - -[Sidenote: The Cowden Clarkes’ _Recollections of Writers_.] - -“The painting ... was standing on an old-fashioned couch in one corner -of the room leaning against the wall, and we remained opposite to it -for some time, while Hazlitt stood by holding the candle high up so as -to throw the light well on to the picture, descanting enthusiastically -on the merits of the original. The beam from the candle falling -on his own finely intellectual head, with its iron-gray hair, its -square potential forehead, its massive mouth and chin, and eyes full -of earnest fire, formed a glorious picture in itself, and remains a -luminous vision for ever upon our memories.”--About 1829. - - - - -FELICIA HEMANS - -1794-1835 - - -[Sidenote: Hughes’s _Memoir of Mrs. Hemans_.] - -“The young poetess was then only fifteen; in the full glow of that -radiant beauty which was destined to fade so early. The mantling bloom -of her cheeks was shaded by a profusion of natural ringlets, of a -rich golden brown, and the ever-varying expression of her brilliant -eyes gave a changeful play to her countenance, which would have made -it impossible for any painter to do justice to it. The recollection -of what she was at that time, irresistibly suggests a quotation from -Wordsworth’s graceful poetic picture:-- - - ‘She was a Phantom of delight, - When first she gleamed upon my sight; - A lovely Apparition, sent - To be a moment’s ornament. - - * * * * - - A dancing Shape, an Image gay, - To haunt, to startle, and waylay.’” - -1809. - -[Sidenote: Moir’s _Memoirs of Mrs. Hemans_.] - -“Mrs. Hemans was about the middle height, and rather slenderly made -than otherwise. To a countenance of great intelligence and expression, -she united manners alike unassuming and playful, and with a trust -arising out of the purity of her own character--which was beyond the -meanness of suspicion in others--she remained untainted by the breath -of worldly guile.” - -[Sidenote: Rossetti’s _Notice of Mrs. Hemans_. *] - -“An engraved portrait of her by the American artist William E. -West--one of three which he painted in 1827, shows us that Mrs. Hemans, -at the age of thirty-four, was eminently pleasing and good-looking, -with an air of amiability and sprightly gentleness, and of confiding -candour which, while none the less perfectly womanly, might almost be -termed childlike in its limpid depth. The features are correct and -harmonious; the eyes full; and the contour amply and elegantly rounded. -In height she was neither tall nor short. A sufficient wealth of -naturally clustering hair, golden in early youth, but by this time of -a rich auburn, shades the capacious but not over-developed forehead, -and the lightly pencilled eyebrows. The bust and form have the fulness -of a mature period of life; and it would appear that Mrs. Hemans was -somewhat short-necked and high-shouldered, partly detracting from -delicacy of proportion, and of general aspect of impression on the -eye. We would rather judge of her by this portrait (which her sister -pronounces a good likeness) than by another engraved in Mr. Chorley’s -Memorials. This latter was executed in Dublin in 1831, by a young -artist named Edward Robinson. It makes Mrs. Hemans look younger than in -the earlier portrait by West, and may on that ground alone be surmised -unfaithful, and, though younger, it also makes her heavier and less -refined.” - - - - -JAMES HOGG - -1770-1835 - - -[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Peter’s Letters_.] - -“Although for some time past he has spent a considerable portion -of every year in excellent, even in refined society, the external -appearance of the man can have undergone but very little change since -he was ‘a herd on Yarrow.’ His face and hands are still as brown -as if he had lived entirely _sub dio_. His very hair has a coarse -stringiness about it, which proves beyond dispute its utter ignorance -of all the arts of the _friseur_, and hangs in playful whips and cords -about his ears, in a style of the most perfect innocence imaginable. -His mouth which, when he smiles, nearly cuts the totality of his -face in twain, is an object that would make the Chevalier Ruspini -die with indignation; for his teeth have been allowed to grow where -they listed, and as they listed, presenting more resemblance, in -arrangement (and colour too), to a body of crouching sharp-shooters, -than to any more regular species of array. The effect of a forehead, -towering with a true poetic grandeur above such features as these, and -of an eye that illuminates their surface with genuine lightenings of -genius ... these are things which I cannot so easily transfer to my -paper.”--1819. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“The Rev. Mr. Thomson, his biographer, thus pictures him:--‘In height -he was five feet ten inches and a half; his broad chest and square -shoulders indicated health and strength; while a well-rounded leg, and -small ankle and foot, showed the active shepherd who could outstrip -the runaway sheep.’ His hair in his younger days was auburn, slightly -inclining to yellow, which afterwards became dark brown, mixed with -gray; his eyes, which were dark blue, were bright and intelligent. His -features were irregular, while his eye and ample forehead redeemed the -countenance from every charge of common-place homeliness.” - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Life of Carlyle_.] - -“Hogg is a little red-skinned stiff sack of a body, with quite the -common air of an Ettrick shepherd, except that he has a highish though -sloping brow (among his yellow grizzled hair), and two clear little -beads of blue or gray eyes that sparkle, if not with thought, yet with -animation. Behaves himself quite easily and well; speaks Scotch, and -mostly narrative absurdity (or even obscenity) therewith.... His vanity -seems to be immense, but also his good-nature.”--1832. - - - - -THOMAS HOOD - -1798-1845 - - -[Sidenote: _The Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1872.] - -“As he entered the room my first impression was that of slight -disappointment. I had not then seen any portrait of him, and my -imagination had depicted a man of the under size, with a humorous -and mobile mouth, and with sharp, twinkling, and investigating eyes. -When, therefore, a rather tall and attenuated figure presented itself -before me, with grave aspect and dressed in black, and when, after -scrutinising his features, I noticed those dark, sad eyes set in -that pale and pain-worn yet tranquil face, and saw the expression of -that suffering mouth, telling how sickness with its stern plough had -driven its silent share through that slender frame, all the long train -of quaint and curious fancies, ludicrous imageries, oddly-combined -contrasts, humorous distortions, strange and uncouth associations, -myriad word-twistings, ridiculous miseries, grave trifles, and trifling -gravities--all these came before me like the rushing event of a dream, -and I asked myself, ‘Can this be the man that has so often made me roll -with laughter at his humour, chuckle at his wit, and wonder while I -threaded the maze of his inexhaustible puns?’ When he began to converse -in bland and placid tones about Germany, where he had for some time -lived, I became more reconciled to him.” - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“In person Hood was of middle height, slender and sickly-looking, of -sallow complexion and pale features, quiet in expression, and very -rarely excited so as to give indication of either the pathos or the -humour that must ever have been working in his soul. His was, indeed, -a countenance rather of melancholy than mirth; there was something -calm, even to solemnity, in the upper portion of the face, seldom -relieved, in society, by the eloquent play of the mouth, or the sparkle -of an observant eye. In conversation he was by no means brilliant. -When inclined to pun, which was not often, it seemed as if his wit was -the issue of thought, and not an instinctive produce, such as I have -noticed in other men who have thus become famous, who are admirable in -crowds, whose animation is like that of the sounding-board, which makes -a great noise at a small touch, when listeners are many and applause is -sure.” - -[Sidenote: Rossetti’s _Memoir of Hood_. *] - -“The face of Hood is best known by two busts and an oil-portrait, -which have both been engraved from. It is the sort of face to which -apparently a bust does more than justice, yet less than right,--the -features, being mostly by no means bad ones, look better when thus -reduced to the more simple and abstract contour than they probably -showed in reality, for no one supposed Hood to be a fine-looking man; -on the other hand, the _value_ of the face must have been in its -shifting expression--keen, playful, or subtle--and this can be but -barely suggested by the sculptor. The poet’s visage was pallid, his -figure slight, his voice feeble; he always dressed in black, and is -generally spoken of as presenting a generally clerical appearance.” - - - - -THEODORE HOOK - -1788-1841 - - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“I remember, one day at Sydenham, Mr. Theodore Hook coming in -unexpectedly to dinner, and amusing us very much with his talent at -extempore verse. He was then a youth, tall, dark, and of a good person, -with small eyes, and features more round than weak; a face that had -character and humour, but no refinement.”--1809. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“When I first saw him, he was above the middle height, robust of frame, -and broad of chest; well-proportioned, with evidence of great physical -capacity; his complexion dark, as were his eyes. There was nothing fine -or elevated in his expression; indeed, his features when in repose were -heavy; it was otherwise when animated; yet his manners were those of a -gentleman, less, perhaps, from inherent faculty than the polish which -refined society ever gives.”--1828. - -[Sidenote: Barham’s _Life of Hook_.] - -“In person Theodore Hook was above the middle height, his frame was -robust and well-proportioned, possessing a breadth and depth of chest -which, joined to a constitution naturally of the strongest order, would -have seemed, under ordinary care, to hold out promise of a long and -healthy life. His countenance was fine and commanding, his features -when in repose settling into a somewhat stern and heavy expression, but -all alive and alight with genius the instant his lips were opened. His -eyes were dark, large, and full--to the epithet [Greek: boôpis] he, not -less justly than the venerable goddess, was entitled. His voice was -rich, deep, and melodious.” - - - - -DAVID HUME - -1711-1776 - - -[Sidenote: Chambers’s _Eminent Scotsmen_.] - -“Lord Charlemont, who at this period met with Mr. Hume at Turin, has -given the following account of his habits and appearance, penned -apparently with a greater aim at effect than at truth, yet somewhat -characteristic of the philosopher: ‘Nature, I believe, never formed -any man more unlike his real character than David Hume. The powers of -physiognomy were baffled by his countenance; neither could the most -skilful in the science pretend to discover the smallest trace of the -faculties of his mind in the unmeaning features of his visage. His face -was broad and fat, his mouth wide, and without any other expression -than that of imbecility. His eyes vacant and spiritless; and the -corpulence of his whole person was far better fitted to communicate -the idea of a turtle-eating alderman than of a refined philosopher. -His speech in English was rendered ridiculous by the broadest Scotch -accent, and his French was, if possible, still more laughable, so that -wisdom most certainly never disguised herself before in so uncouth a -garb.’” - -[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Peter’s Letters_.] - -“The prints of David Hume are, most of them, I believe, taken from -the very portrait I have seen; but of course the style and effect -of the features are much more thoroughly to be understood when one -has an opportunity of observing them expanded in their natural -proportions. The face is far from being in any respect a classical -one. The forehead is chiefly remarkable for its prominence from the -ear, and not so much for its height. This gives him a lowering sort -of look forwards, expressive of great inquisitiveness into matters -of fact and the consequences to be deduced from them. His eyes are -singularly prominent, which, according to the Gallic system, would -indicate an extraordinary development of the organ of language behind -them. His nose is too low between the eyes, and not well or boldly -formed in any other respect. The lips, although not handsome, have in -their fleshy and massy outlines abundant marks of habitual reflection -and intellectual occupation. The whole had a fine expression of -intellectual dignity, candour, and serenity. The want of elevation, -however, which I have already noticed, injures very much the effect -even of the structure of the lower part of the head.... It is to be -regretted that he wore powder, for this prevents us from having the -advantage of seeing what was the natural style of his hair--or, indeed, -of ascertaining the form of any part of his head beyond the forehead.” - -[Sidenote: David Hume’s _Life_.] - -“To conclude historically with my own character. I am, or rather was -(for that is the style which I must now use in speaking of myself, -which emboldens me the more to speak my sentiment); I was, I say, a -man of mild dispositions, of command of temper, of an open, social, -and cheerful humour, capable of attachment, but little susceptible -of enmity, and of great moderation in all my passions. Even my -love of literary fame--my ruling passion, never soured my temper, -notwithstanding my frequent disappointments. My company was not -unacceptable to the young and careless, as well as to the studious and -literary; and as I took a particular pleasure in the company of modest -women, I had no reason to be displeased with the reception I met with -from them.” - - - - -LEIGH HUNT - -1784-1859 - - -[Sidenote: Son’s preface to _Autobiography of Leigh Hunt_.] - -“It was at this period of his life” (_as a young man_) “that his -appearance was most characteristic, and none of the portraits of him -adequately conveyed the idea of it. One of the best, a half-length -chalk drawing, by an artist named Wildman, perished. The miniature -by Severn was only a sketch on a small scale, but it suggested the -kindness and animation of his countenance. In other cases, the artists -knew too little of their sitter to catch the most familiar traits of -his aspect. He was rather tall, as straight as an arrow, and looked -slenderer than he really was. His hair was black and shining, and -slightly inclined to wave; his head was high, his forehead straight and -white, his eyes black and sparkling, his general complexion dark.... -Few men were so attractive ‘in society,’ whether in a large company -or over the fireside. His manners were peculiarly animated; his -conversation varied, ranging over a great field of subjects, was moved -and called forth by the response of his companion, be that companion -philosopher or student, sage or boy, man or woman; and he was equally -ready for the most lively topics or for the gravest reflections--his -expression easily adapting itself to the tone of his companion’s mind. -With much freedom of manners, he combined a spontaneous courtesy that -never failed, and a considerateness derived from a ceaseless kindness -of heart that invariably fascinated even strangers.” - -[Sidenote: Bryan Procter’s _Recollections of Men of Letters_.] - -“Hunt was a little above the middle size, thin and lithe. His -countenance was very genial and pleasant. His hair was black; his eyes -were very dark, but he was short-sighted, and therefore, perhaps, it -was that they had nothing of that fierce glance which black eyes so -frequently possess. His mouth was expressive, but protruding, as is -sometimes seen in half-caste Americans.”--1817. - -[Sidenote: Haydon’s _Autobiography_.] - -“I afterwards met Hunt, and reminded him of Wilkie’s intention, and -Hunt, with a frankness I liked much, became quite at home, and as I -was just as easily acquainted in five minutes as himself, we began to -talk, and he to hold forth, and I thought him, with his black bushy -hair, black eyes, pale face, and ‘nose of taste,’ as fine a specimen of -a London editor as could be imagined; assuming yet moderate, sarcastic -yet genial, with a smattering of everything and a mastery of nothing, -affecting the dictator, the poet, the politician, the critic, and the -sceptic, whichever would, at the moment, give him the air, to inferior -minds, of being a very superior man. I listened with something of -curiosity to his republican independence, though hating his effeminacy -and cockney peculiarities. The fearless honesty of his opinions, the -unscrupulous sacrifice of his own interests, the unselfish perseverance -of his attacks on all abuses, whether royal or religious, noble or -democratic, ancient or modern, so gratified my mind, that I suffered -this singular young man to gain such an ascendancy in my heart, as -justified the perpetual caution of Wilkie against my great tendency to -become acquainted too soon with strangers, and like Canning’s German, -to swear eternal friendship with any spirited talented fellow after a -couple of hours of witty talk or able repartee.” - - - - -ELIZABETH INCHBALD - -1753-1821 - - -[Sidenote: Kavanagh’s _English Women of Letters_. *] - -“Miss Simpson ... was ... tall and slender, with hair of a golden -auburn, and lovely hazel eyes, perfect features, and an enchanting -countenance.”--1771. - -[Sidenote: Mrs. Inchbald’s _Memoirs_.] - -“DESCRIPTION OF ME. - - _Age._--Between 30 and 40, which, in the register of a lady’s - birth, means a little turned of 30. - - _Height._--Above the middle size, and rather tall. - - _Figure._--Handsome, and striking in its general air, but a little - too stiff and erect. _Shape._--Rather too fond of sharp angles. - - _Skin._--By nature fair, though a little freckled, and with a tinge - of sand, which is the colour of her eyelashes, but made coarse by - ill-treatment upon her cheeks and arms. - - _Bosom._--None; or so diminutive, that it’s like a needle in a - bottle of hay. - - _Hair._--Of a sandy auburn, and rather too straight as well as thin. - - _Face._--Beautiful in effect, and beautiful in every feature. - - _Countenance._--Full of spirit and sweetness; excessively - interesting, and, without indelicacy, voluptuous. - - _Dress._--Always becoming; and very seldom worth so much as - _eightpence_.”--About 1788. - - - - -FRANCIS, LORD JEFFREY - -1773-1850 - - -[Sidenote: Geo. Ticknor’s _Life_.] - -“You are to imagine then, before you, a short, stout little gentleman, -about five and a half feet high, with a very red face, black hair -and black eyes. You are to suppose him to possess a very gay and -animated countenance, and you are to see in him all the restlessness -of a will-o’-wisp, and all that fitful irregularity in his movements -which you have heretofore appropriated to the pasteboard Merry Andrews -whose limbs are jerked about with a wire. These you are to interpret -as the natural indications of the impetuous and impatient character -which a farther acquaintance developes. He enters the room with a -countenance so satisfied and a step so light and almost fantastic, -that all your previous impressions of the dignity and severity of -the _Edinburgh Review_ are immediately put to flight, and, passing -at once to the opposite extreme, you might, perhaps, imagine him -to be frivolous, vain, and supercilious. He accosts you too, with -a freedom and familiarity which may, perhaps, put you at your ease -and render conversation unceremonious; but which, as I observed in -several instances, were not very tolerable to those who had always been -accustomed to the delicacy and decorum of refined society.”--1814. - -[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Peter’s Letters_.] - -“I had not been long in the room, however, when I heard Mr. J---- -announced, and as I had not seen him for some time, resolved to stay, -and if possible, enjoy a little of his conversation in some corner.... -I have seldom seen a man more nice in his exterior than Mr. J---- now -seemed to be. His little person looked very neat in the way he had now -adorned it. He had a very well-cut blue coat,--evidently not after -the design of any Edinburgh artist,--light kerseymere breeches and -ribbed silk stockings, a pair of elegant buckles, white kid gloves, -and a tricolour watch-ribbon. He held his hat under his arm in a very -_dégagée_ manner--and altogether he was certainly one of the last men -in the assembly, whom a stranger would have guessed to be either a -great lawyer or a great reviewer. In short, he was more of a dandy -than any great author I ever saw--always excepting Tom Moore and David -Williams.” - -[Sidenote: _New Monthly Magazine_, 1831.] - -“He is of low stature, but his figure is elegant and well proportioned. -The face is rather elongated, the chin deficient, the mouth well -formed, with a mingled expression of determination, sentiment, and arch -mockery; the nose is slightly curved; the eye is the most peculiar -feature of the countenance; it is large and sparkling. He has two -tones in his voice--the one harsh and grating, the other rich and -clear.”--1831. - - - - -DOUGLAS JERROLD - -1803-1857 - - -[Sidenote: Hodder’s _Personal Reminiscences_.] - -“To my great delight, ... I had not been in the room many minutes -before I was introduced to Douglas Jerrold, who was flitting about with -that peculiar restlessness of eye, speech, and demeanour, which was -amongst his most marked characteristics. I confess I was not surprised -to find him a man of small stature, as I had heard before that his -proportions were rather those of Tydeus than of Alcides; but I was a -little astonished when I saw in the author of _Black-eyed Susan_, _The -Rent Day_, and _The Wedding Gown_, (all of which pieces and many others -he had then produced), an amount of boyish gaiety and a rapidity of -movement which one could hardly expect from a writer who had risen to -high rank as a moralist and censor.” - -[Sidenote: W. B. Jerrold’s _Life of Douglas Jerrold_.] - -“He had none of the airs of success or reputation, none of the -affectations, either personal or social, which are rife everywhere. -He was manly and natural; free and off-handed to the verge of -eccentricity. Independence and marked character seemed to breathe from -the little, rather bowed figure, crowned with a lion-like head and -falling light hair--to glow in the keen, eager, blue eyes glancing on -either side as he walked along. Nothing could be less commonplace, -nothing less conventional, than his appearance in a room or in the -streets.” - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“He was a very short man, but with breadth enough, and a back -excessively bent--bowed almost to deformity; very gray hair, and a face -and expression of remarkable briskness and intelligence. His profile -came out pretty boldly, and his eyes had the prominence that indicates, -I believe, volubility of speech; nor did he fail to talk from the -instant of his appearance; and in the tone of his voice, and in his -glance, and in the whole man, there was something racy--a flavour of -the humourist. His step was that of an aged man, and he put his stick -down very decidedly at every foot-fall; though, as he afterwards told -me, he was only fifty-two, he need not yet have been infirm.”--1856. - - - - -SAMUEL JOHNSON - -1709-1784 - - -[Sidenote: Boswell’s _Life of Dr. Johnson_.] - -“Miss Porter told me, that when he was first introduced to her mother, -his appearance was very forbidding; he was then lean and lank, so -that his immense structure of bones was hideously striking to the -eye, and the scars of the scrofula were deeply visible. He also wore -his hair, which was straight and stiff, and separated behind; and he -often had, seemingly, convulsive starts and odd gesticulations, which -tended to excite at once surprise and ridicule. Mrs. Porter was so much -engaged by his conversation that she overlooked all these external -disadvantages, and said to her daughter, ‘This is the most sensible man -that I ever saw in my life.’”--1731. - -[Sidenote: Boswell’s _Life of Dr. Johnson_.] - -“His chambers were on the first floor of No. 1 Inner Temple Lane.... -He received me very courteously; but it must be confessed that his -apartment and furniture and morning dress was sufficiently uncouth. -His brown suit of clothes looked very rusty; he had on a little old -shrivelled unpowdered wig, which was too small for his head; his shirt -neck and knees of his breeches were loose, his black worsted stockings -ill drawn up, and he had a pair of unbuckled shoes by way of slippers. -But all these slovenly peculiarities were forgotten the moment he began -to talk.”--1763. - -[Sidenote: Croker’s _Johnsoniana_.] - -“The day after I wrote my last letter to you I was introduced to Mr. -Johnson by a friend. We passed through three very dirty rooms to a -little one that looked like an old counting-house, where this great -man was sat at breakfast.... I was very much struck with Mr. Johnson’s -appearance, and could hardly help thinking him a madman for some time, -as he sat waving over his breakfast like a lunatic. He is a very large -man, and was dressed in a dirty brown coat and waistcoat, with breeches -that were brown also (although they had been crimson), and an old black -wig; his shirt collar and sleeves were unbuttoned; his stockings were -down about his feet, which had on them, by way of slippers, an old pair -of shoes.... We had been with him some time before he began to talk, -but at length he began, and, faith, to some purpose; everything he says -is as _correct_ as a _second edition_; ’tis almost impossible to argue -with him, he is so sententious and so knowing.”--1764. - - - - -BEN JONSON - -1574-1637 - - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_. *] - -“He was (or rather had been) of a clear and faire skin, his habit -was very plaine. I have heard Mr. Lacy, the player, say that he was -wont to weare a coate like a coach-man’s coate with slitts under the -arme-pitts. He would many times exceed in drinke. Canarie was his -beloved liquer.... Ben Jonson had one eie lower than t’other and -bigger, like Clun, the player.” - -[Sidenote: Anderson’s _Poets of Great Britain_. *] - -“The character of Jonson, like that of most celebrated wits, has been -drawn with great diversity of lights and shades, according as affection -or envy guided the pencil. His person, as he has himself told us, was -corpulent and large. His disposition seems to have been reserved and -saturnine, and sometimes not a little oppressed with the gloom of a -splenetic imagination.... Stern and rigid as his virtue was, he was -easy and social in the convivial meetings of his friends; and the laws -of his _Symposia_, inscribed over the chimney of the Apollo, a room in -the Devil Tavern, near Temple Bar, where he kept his club, show that he -was neither averse to the pleasures of conversation, nor ignorant of -what would render it agreeable and improving.” - -[Sidenote: Lafond, _Notice sur Ben Jonson_. *] - -“Il est clair pour nous que Ben Jonson avait une nature violente dans -un corps robuste et athlétique; son portrait nous le montre avec une -énorme face, une vigoureuse mâchoire, des yeux profonds et durs, un -cou de taureau. Sa peau avait été, de bonne heure, couturée par le -scorbut; et lui-même dit quelque part qu’il eut, dans le milieu de -sa vie, une montagne pour ventre et un dandinement disgracieux pour -démarche. Tous ses traits fortement accentués, anguleux ou carrés, -dénoncent l’énergie, l’orgueil et l’amour des luttes de toute nature. -Il aimait la bonne chère et le vin; sa prédilection pour le vin des -Canaries avait, disait il, pour excuse la nécessité de sa constitution -scorbutique. Il avait l’esprit semblable au corps; malgré ses études -classiques, il était loin d’être un Athénien, c’était un Anglo-Saxon -enté sur un Romain de la décadence. Généreux, libéral, prodigue, il -tint toujours table ouverte, même lorsque la misère était devenue -l’hôte de son foyer.” - - - - -JOHN KEATS - -1795-1821 - - -[Sidenote: Bryan Procter’s _Recollections of Men of Letters_.] - -“I was first introduced to him (Keats), by Leigh Hunt, and found him -very pleasant, and free from all affectation in manner and opinion. -Indeed it would be difficult to discover a man with a more bright and -open countenance.... I can only say that I never encountered a more -manly and simple young man. In person he was short, and had eyes large -and wonderfully luminous, and a resolute bearing, not defiant but well -sustained.” - -[Sidenote: Monckton Milnes’s _Life of Keats_.] - -“His eyes were large and blue, his hair auburn, he wore it divided -down the centre, and it fell in rich masses on each side his face, -his mouth was full, and less intellectual than his other features. -His countenance lives in my mind as one of singular beauty and -brightness,--it had an expression as if he had been looking on some -glorious sight. The shape of his face had not the squareness of a -man’s, but more like some women’s faces I have seen--it was so wide -over the forehead, and so small at the chin. He seemed in perfect -health, and with life offering all things that were precious to -him.”--1818. - -[Sidenote: The Cowden Clarkes’ _Recollections of Writers_.] - -_In reviewing this portrait, Mrs. Cowden Clarke, while admitting -that much of it is_ “excellent” _and_ “true,” _goes on to add these -words_: “But when our artist pronounces that ‘his eyes were large and -_blue_,’ and that ‘his hair was _auburn_,’ I am naturally reminded of -the ‘Chameleon’ fable--‘they were _brown_, ma’am--_brown_, I assure -you!’... Reader, alter, in your copy of the _Life of Keats_, vol. i. -page 103, ‘eyes’ light hazel, ‘hair’ _lightish brown and wavy_.” - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“Keats, when he died, had just completed his four and twentieth year. -He was under the middle height, and his lower limbs were small in -comparison with the upper, but neat and well-turned. His shoulders were -very broad for his size; he had a face in which energy and sensibility -were remarkably mixed up; an eager power, checked and made patient by -ill-health. Every feature was at once strongly cut, and delicately -alive. If there was any faulty expression, it was in the mouth, which -was not without something of a character of pugnacity. His face was -rather long than otherwise; the upper lip projected a little over the -under; the chin was bold, the cheeks sunken; the eyes are mellow and -glowing, large, dark, and sensitive. At the recital of a noble action, -or a beautiful thought, they would suffuse with tears, and his mouth -trembled. In this there was ill-health as well as imagination, for -he did not like these betrayals of emotion; and he had great personal -as well as moral courage. He once chastised a butcher, who had been -insolent, by a regular stand-up fight. His hair, of a brown colour, -was fine, and hung in natural ringlets. The head was a puzzle for the -phrenologists, being remarkably small in the skull--a singularity which -he had in common with Byron and Shelley, whose hats I could not get -on. Keats was sensible of the disproportion above noticed between his -upper and lower extremities, and he would look at his hand, which was -faded, and swollen in the veins, and say it was the hand of a man of -fifty.”--1826. - - - - -JOHN KEBLE - -1792-1866 - - -[Sidenote: J. Coleridge’s _Memoir of the Rev. John Keble_.] - -“To me both the portraits are full of deep interest” (_these portraits -of Keble, the one in the prime of manhood and the other in old age, -were drawn by Richmond_), “the earlier and the later both--each -brings him back to me as he was; in the earlier, he has some of the -merry defiance he could assume in argument; in the latter, I see the -sad tenderness of his advanced years. Keble had not regular features; -he could not be called a handsome man, but he was one to be noticed -anywhere, and remembered long; his forehead and hair beautiful in all -ages; his eyes, full of play, intelligence, and emotion, followed you -while you spoke; and they lighted up, especially with pleasure, or -indignation, as it might be, when he answered you. The most pleasing -photograph is one in which he is standing by Mrs. Keble’s side; she is -sitting with a book in her hand. The later photographs are to me very -unpleasant. I will attempt no more particular description, for I feel -how little definite I can convey in writing.” - -[Sidenote: _The Christian Observer_, 1871.] - -“Mr. Keble greeted us, emerging from his little study, the door of -which, as I afterwards noticed, oftener than not, stood open.... His -features, indeed, were familiar to us, as to most people, from the -engraving of Richmond’s first portrait of him, taken in middle life -for Sir John Coleridge. Now the original stood before me, and I saw -at a glance that face and figure had been faithfully portrayed. The -forehead was pale and serene, the hair silvery; doubtless this token -of advancing years must have helped to give softness and refinement to -the features; eyebrows, sprinkled with white, shaded eyes of singular -brilliancy and depth of expression, as ready (I afterwards well knew) -to light up with mirth and mischief while playful talk was going on, -as they were to melt into mournful earnestness when graver topics were -broached. He habitually wore glasses, but used often to take them off -and hold them in his hand when conversing with animation. A dear -and old friend of his has told me that he ‘looked almost boyish till -about fifty, and after that rapidly aged in personal appearance.’ -At this time he was in his sixty-first year, healthy and strong and -active.... In appearance he was quite one’s ideal of an old-fashioned -country clergyman, but of one whose Oxford days were still fresh in -his mind; there was a touch of _vieille cour_ in his manner, which -added, I think, to its charm. His voice in speaking was rather low, -and especially so when the subject of conversation was very near his -heart. It often struck me, when listening to him, that without the -slightest effort or aim at effect, he always hit upon the most suitable -and telling words, (and the shortest), in which to clothe his ideas. -This unconscious beauty of language, coupled with the originality and -wisdom of the ideas themselves, riveted them in one’s memory; the look, -too, with which they were uttered, could not be forgotten, and rises -as vividly before my mind’s eye ‘through the golden mist of years’ as -though it belonged to the present, instead of the ‘long ago.’”--1852. - -[Sidenote: L. A. Huntingford: private letter.] - -“People who went to look at Mr. Keble as a ‘lion’ were, I think, -disappointed to see a very simple old-fashioned clerical gentleman, -with very little manner, and so completely unconscious of self that -as he talked of common things, they were inclined to think as little -of him as he thought of himself. He used to come down early and -stand writing at a side-table till it was quite time for prayers and -breakfast, and then sit down anywhere and, with a little peculiar jerk -of the head and shoulders, read a short ‘Instruction,’ almost as if he -were reading it to himself. Certain people even called his reading bad, -for his voice was weak, and he had a slight cough which never wholly -left him; but he brought out the meaning of Holy Scripture in a manner -which I never heard surpassed. Mr. Keble was of middle height, very -thin, with a splendid forehead, bright eyes which were rather hidden by -his spectacles, and a sweet merry smile. Those who knew him well must -remember the way in which he used to pull himself together, as if he -were a boy obeying a well-known rule to ‘hold up his head.’ His manner -was nervous, so much so that people who were not intimately acquainted -with him were rarely quite at their ease when in his presence. The two -pictures of Mr. Keble by Richmond are both good likenesses; but the -lithograph of the head which was taken from the then-unfinished picture -which, in its completed form, now hangs in Keble College, Oxford, has -caught the peculiar intelligence of the eyes when lighted up with the -eager brightness his friends knew so well. He had the unusual power of -being able to write upon one subject and listen to the discussion of -another at the same time; and he would often glance up from the paper -in which he was apparently immersed, and pushing up his spectacles join -eagerly in the conversation.” - - - - -CHARLES KINGSLEY - -1812-1875 - - -[Sidenote: Caroline Fox’s _Journals and Letters_.] - -“Torquay, _January 30th_.--Charles Kingsley called, but we missed him. - -“_February 3d._--We paid him and his wife a very happy call; he -fraternising at once, and stuttering pleasant and discriminating things -concerning F. D. Maurice, Coleridge and others. He looks sunburnt with -dredging all the morning, has a piercing eye under an overhanging brow, -and his voice is most melodious and his pronunciation exquisite. He is -strangely attractive.”--1854. - -[Sidenote: _The Galaxy_, 1872.] - -“I was present at a meeting not long since where Mr. Kingsley was -one of the principal speakers. The meeting was held in London, the -audience was a peculiarly Cockney audience, and Charles Kingsley is -personally little known to the public of the metropolis. Therefore -when he began to speak there was quite a little thrill of wonder and -something like incredulity through the listening benches. Could that, -people near me asked, really be Charles Kingsley, the novelist, the -poet, the scholar, the aristocrat, the gentleman, the pulpit-orator, -the ‘soldier--priest,’ the apostle of muscular Christianity? Yes, -that was indeed he. Rather tall, very angular, surprisingly awkward, -with thin staggering legs, a hatchet face adorned with scraggy gray -whiskers, a faculty for falling into the most ungainly attitudes, and -making the most hideous contortions of visage and frame; with a rough -provincial accent and an uncouth way of speaking which would be set -down for absurd caricature on the boards of a comic theatre. Such was -the appearance which the author of _Glaucus_ and _Hypatia_ presented to -his startled audience. Since Brougham’s time nothing so ungainly, odd, -and ludicrous had been displayed upon an English platform. Needless to -say, Charles Kingsley has not the eloquence of Brougham. But he has a -robust and energetic plain-speaking which soon struck home to the heart -of the meeting. He conquered his audience. Those who at first could -hardly keep from laughing, those who, not knowing the speaker, wondered -whether he was not mad or in liquor, those who heartily disliked his -general principles and his public attitude, were alike won over, long -before he had finished, by his bluff and blunt earnestness and his -transparent sincerity.” - -[Sidenote: _Fraser’s Magazine_, 1877.] - -“For nine years the portrait of Kingsley, close to that of John Parker, -has looked down from the wall of the room in which I write. It is a -large photograph, taken, while he was on a visit to the house, by an -amateur of extraordinary ability, the late Dr. Adamson of St. Andrews. -It is the best and most lifelike portrait of Kingsley known to me. -It has the stern expression, which came partly of the effort, never -quite ceasing, to express himself through that characteristic stammer -which quite left him in public speaking, and which in private added -to the effect of his wonderful talk. Photography caught him easily. -Those who look at the portrait prefixed to Volume I. of the _Life_ -see the man as he lived. Mr. Woolner’s bust, shown at the beginning -of Volume II., shows him aged and shrunken, not more than he was but -more than he ought to have been; and the removal of all hair from the -face is a marked difference from the fact in life; yet the likeness is -perfect too. That somewhat severe face belied one of the kindest hearts -that ever beat: yet the handsome and chivalrous features unworthily -expressed one of the truest, bravest, and noblest of souls. Kingsley -could not have done a mean or false thing: by his make it was as -impossible as that water should run uphill.” - - - - -CHARLES LAMB - -1775-1834 - - -[Sidenote: de Quincey’s _Life and Writings_.] - -“Lamb, at this period of his life, then passed regularly, after taking -wine, under a brief eclipse of sleep. It descended upon him as soft as -a shadow. In a gross person laden with superfluous flesh, and sleeping -heavily, this would have been disagreeable; but in Lamb, thin even -to meagreness, spare and wiry as an Arab of the desert, or as Thomas -Aquinas, wasted by scholastic vigils, the affection of sleep seemed -rather a net-work of aerial gossamer than of earthly cobweb,--more like -a golden haze falling upon him gently from the heavens than a cloud -exhaling upwards from the flesh. Motionless in his chair as a bust, -breathing so gently as scarcely to seem entirely alive, he presented -the image of repose midway between life and death like the repose -of sculpture, and to one who knew his history, a repose contrasting -with the calamities and internal storms of his life. I have heard -more persons than I can now distinctly recall, observe of Lamb when -sleeping, that his countenance in that state assumed an expression -almost seraphic, from its intellectual beauty of outline, its childlike -simplicity, and its benignity. It could not be called a transfiguration -that sleep worked in his face; for the features wore essentially the -same expression when waking; but sleep spiritualised that expression, -exalted it, and also harmonised it. Much of the change lay in that -last process. The eyes it was that disturbed the unity of effect in -Lamb’s waking face. They gave a restlessness to the character of his -intellect, shifting, like northern lights, through every mode of -combination with fantastic playfulness; and sometimes by fiery gleams -obliterating for the moment that pure light of benignity which was the -predominant reading on his features.”--1822. - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Life of Carlyle_.] - -“He was the leanest of mankind; tiny black breeches buttoned to the -knee-cap and no further, surmounting spindle-legs also in black, face -and head fineish, black, bony, lean, and of a Jew type rather; in the -eyes a kind of smoky brightness, or confused sharpness; spoke with -a stutter; in walking tottered and shuffled, emblem of imbecility, -bodily and spiritual (something of real insanity, I have understood), -and yet something, too, of human, ingenuous, pathetic, sportfully much -enduring. Poor Lamb! he was infinitely astonished at my wife, and her -quiet encounter of his too ghastly London wit by a cheerful native -ditto. Adieu! poor Lamb!” - -[Sidenote: Talfourd’s _Reminiscence of Charles Lamb_.] - -“Methinks I see him before me now, as he appeared then, and as he -continued with scarcely any perceptible alteration to me, during the -twenty years of intimacy which followed, and were closed by his death. -A light frame, so fragile that it seemed as if a breath would overthrow -it, clad in clerklike black, was surmounted by a head of form and -expression the most noble and sweet. His black hair curled crisply -about an expanded forehead; his eyes, softly brown, twinkled with -varying expression, though the prevalent feeling was sad; and the nose -slightly curved, and delicately carved at the nostril, with the lower -outline of the face regularly oval, completed a head which was finely -placed on the shoulders, and gave importance and even dignity to a -diminutive and shadowy stem. Who shall describe his countenance, catch -its quivering sweetness, and fix it for ever in words? There are none, -alas, to answer the vain desire of friendship. Deep thought striving -with humour, the lines of suffering wreathed into cordial mirth, and -a smile of painful sweetness, present an image to the mind it can as -little describe as lose. His personal appearance and manner are not -unfitly characterised by what he himself says in one of his letters -to Manning, of Braham, ‘a compound of the Jew, the gentleman, and the -angel.’”--_Written shortly after Lamb’s death._ - - - - -LETITIA ELIZABETH LANDON - -1802-1838 - - -[Sidenote: Crabb Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“... Miss Landon, a young poetess--a starling--the L. E. L. of the -_Gazette_, with a gay good-humoured face, which gave me a favourable -impression.”--1826. - -[Sidenote: Blanchard’s _Life of L. E. L._] - -“Her hair was ‘darkly brown,’ very soft and beautiful, and always -tastefully arranged; her figure, as before remarked, slight, but -well-formed and graceful; her feet small, but her hands especially -so, and faultlessly white and finely shaped; her fingers were fairy -fingers; her ears also were observably little. Her face, though not -regular in ‘every feature,’ became beautiful by expression,--every -flash of thought, every change and colour of feeling lightened over -it as she spoke,--when she spoke earnestly. The forehead was not -high, but broad and full; the eyes had no overpowering brilliancy, but -their clear intellectual light penetrated by its exquisite softness; -her mouth was not less marked by character, and, besides the glorious -faculty of uttering the pearls and diamonds of fancy and wit, knew -how to express scorn, or anger, or pride, as well as it knew how to -smile winningly, or to pour forth those short, quick, ringing laughs -which, not excepting even her _bon-mots_ and aphorisms, were the most -delightful things that issued from it.”--1832. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a Long Life_.] - -“Small of person, but well formed. Her dark silken hair braided back -over a small, but what phrenologists would call a well-developed head; -her forehead full and open, but the hair grew low upon it; the eyebrows -perfect in arch and form; the eyes round--soft or flashing as might -be--gray, well formed, and beautifully set; the lashes long and black, -the under lashes turning down with delicate curve, and forming a soft -relief upon the tint of her cheek, which, when she enjoyed good health, -was bright and blushing; her complexion was delicately fair; her skin -soft and transparent; her nose small (_retroussé_), slightly curved, -but capable of scornful expression, which she did not appear to have -the power of repressing, even though she gave her thoughts no words, -when any despicable action was alluded to.”--About 1835. - - - - -WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR - -1775-1864 - - -[Sidenote: Crabb Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“He was a man of florid complexion, with large full eyes, and -altogether a _leonine_ man, and with a fierceness of tone well suited -to his name; his decisions being confident, and on all subjects, -whether of taste or life, unqualified, each standing for itself, not -caring whether it was in harmony with what had gone before or would -follow from the same oracular lips. But why should I trouble myself to -describe him? He is painted by a master hand in Dickens’s novel _Bleak -House_, now in course of publication, where he figures as Mr. Boythorn. -The combination of superficial ferocity and inherent tenderness, so -admirably portrayed in _Bleak House_, still at first strikes every -stranger,--for twenty-two years have not materially changed him,--no -less than his perfect frankness and reckless indifference to what he -says.”--1830. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a Long Life_.] - -“... He was at that time sixty years of age, although he did not look -so old; his form and features were essentially masculine; he was not -tall, but stalwart; of a robust constitution, and was proud even to -arrogance of his physical and intellectual strength. He was a man to -whom passers-by would have looked back and asked, ‘Who is that?’ His -forehead was high, but retreated, showing remarkable absence of the -organs of benevolence and veneration. It was a large head, fullest at -the back, where the animal propensities predominate; it was a powerful, -but not a good head, the expression the opposite of genial. In short, -physiognomists and phrenologists would have selected it,--each to -illustrate his theory.”--1836. - -[Sidenote: Harriet Martineau’s _Biographical Sketches_.] - -“His tall, broad, muscular, active frame was characteristic, and so was -his head, with the strange elevation of the eyebrows which expresses -self-will as strongly in some cases as astonishment in others. Those -eyebrows, mounting up until they comprehend a good portion of the -forehead, have been observed in many more paradoxical persons than -one. Then there was the retreating but broad forehead, showing the -deficiency of reasoning and speculative power, with the preponderance -of imagination and a huge passion for destruction. The massive -self-love and self-will carried up his head to something more than a -dignified bearing--even to one of arrogance. His vivid and quick eye, -and the thoughtful mouth, were fine, and his whole air was that of -a man distinguished in his own eyes certainly, but also in those of -others. Tradition reports he was handsome in his youth. In age he was -more.” - - - - -CHARLES LEVER - -1806-1872 - - -[Sidenote: Fitz-Patrick’s _Life of Lever_.] - -“I found him seated at an open window, a bottle of claret at his right -hand, and the proof-sheets of _Lord Kilgobbin_ before him.... At the -date of our visit he looked a hale, hearty, laughter-loving man of -sixty. There was mirth in his gray eye, joviality in the wink that -twittered on his eyelid, saucy humour in his smile, and _bon-mot_, -wit, repartee, and rejoinder in every movement of his lips. His hair -very thin, but of a silky brown, fell across his forehead, and when -it curtained his eyes he would jerk back his head--this, too, at some -telling crisis in a narrative, when the particular action was just the -exact finish required to make the story perfect. Mr. Lever’s teeth were -all his own and very brilliant, and whether from accident or habit, he -flashed them on us in conjunction with his wonderful eyes, a battery -at once powerful and irresistible.... Mr. Lever made great use of his -hands, which were small and white and delicate as those of a woman. -He made play with them, threw them up in ecstasy, or wrung them in -mournfulness, just as the action of the moment demanded. He did not -require eyes or teeth with such a voice and such hands; they could tell -and illustrate the workings of his brain. He was somewhat careless -in his dress, but clung to the traditional high shirt-collar, merely -compromising the unswerving stock of the Brummell period.” - - - - -MATTHEW GREGORY LEWIS - -1775-1818 - - -[Sidenote: _The Southern Literary Messenger_, 1849.] - -“In person, Mat Lewis (as his intimate friends at first termed him) was -quite ordinary; his stature was rather diminutive; his face was almost -an ellipse, looking upon it from the side, and his features though -pleasant were not to be regarded as handsome. His forehead, however, -was high and his eyes very lustrous.” - -[Sidenote: Jeaffreson’s _Novels and Novelists_.] - -“Lewis’s personal appearance was not prepossessing. He describes -himself as - - ‘Of passions strong, of hasty nature, - Of graceless form and dwarfish stature.’ - -He had, moreover, large gray eyes, thick features, and an inexpressive -countenance. When he talked he had an insufferable habit of drawing the -fore-finger of his right hand across his eyelid, and in conversation -he was guilty of the absurd affectation of a drawling tone such as was -popular with dandies.” - -[Sidenote: _New Monthly Magazine_, 1848.] - -“Matthew Gregory Lewis. Of this gentleman I knew but little, not having -encountered him half a dozen times after my introduction to him at the -house of Nat Middleton, the banker. With a short thick-set figure, -unintellectual features, and a disagreeable habit of peering, being -very short-sighted, his aspect was by no means prepossessing; but as he -had ‘that within which passeth show,’ he recovered the ground lost at -starting as rapidly as Wilkes could have done.” - - - - -JOHN GIBSON LOCKHART - -1794-1854 - - -[Sidenote: _The Times_, 9th Dec. 1854.] - -“Endowed with the very highest order of manly beauty, both of features -and expression, he retained the brilliancy of youth and a stately -strength of person comparatively unimpaired in ripened life; and then, -though sorrow and sickness suddenly brought on a premature old age -which none could witness unmoved, yet the beauty of the head and of the -bearing so far gained in melancholy loftiness of expression what they -lost in animation, that the last phase, whether to the eye of painter -or of anxious friend, seemed always the finest.” - - - - -SIR RICHARD LOVELACE - -1618-1658 - - -[Sidenote: Anthony Wood’s _Athenæ Oxonienses._] - -“Richard Lovelace ... became a gent-commoner of Glo’cester Hall in -the beginning of the year 1634, and in that of his age 16, being then -accounted the most amiable and beautiful person that ever eye beheld, a -person also of innate modesty, virtue, and courtly deportment, which -made him then, but especially after, when he retired to the great city, -much admired and adored by the female sex.... Accounted by all those -that well knew him, to have been a person well vers’d in the Greek and -Latin poets, in music, whether practical or theoretical, instrumental -or vocal, and in other things befitting a gentleman. Some of the said -persons have also added in my hearing, that his common discourse was -not only significant and witty, but incomparably graceful, which drew -respect from all men and women.”--1634 and 1658. - -[Sidenote: _The Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1884. *] - -“The personal attractions of Richard Lovelace have been much extolled -by his contemporaries; nor is this matter for wonder. A picture of the -poet by an unknown painter, preserved in the old college at Dulwich, to -which it was bequeathed by Cartwright the actor, in 1687, represents -him as a very handsome man. The face is oval, the hair, worn Cavalier -fashion, long, is of a dark brown colour and falls down in abundant -masses, while the mustachios are small and thin. The small, well-formed -mouth is perhaps a trifle voluptuous, but is nevertheless suggestive of -firmness of character. The eyes are large and dark, and the well-arched -and delicately pencilled eyebrows are unusually far apart; the general -expression of the face is singularly sweet and winning. The hand is -small, well formed and aristocratic. Lovelace is attired in armour, -with a white collar, and across the breast is thrown a red scarf. The -picture is inscribed ‘Col. Lovelace.’” - - - - -EDWARD, LORD LYTTON - -1803-1873 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a long Life_.] - -“A young man whose features, though of a somewhat effeminate cast, -were remarkably handsome. His bearing had that aristocratic something -bordering on hauteur, which clung to him during his life. I never saw -the famous writer without being reminded of the passage, ‘Stand back; I -am holier than thou.’--1826. - -“The last time I saw him was in his then residence, No. 12 Grosvenor -Square. It was growing towards fifty years since first we had met, -and there were more changes in him than those that time usually -brings. His once handsome face had assumed the desolation without -the dignity of age. His locks, once brown, inclining to auburn, were -shaggy and grizzled; his mouth, seldom smiling even in youth, was -close shut; his whole aspect had something in it at once painful and -unpleasant.”--About 1872. - -[Sidenote: _Appleton’s Journal_, 1873.] - -“Bulwer is described as having been, at this period of his first -brilliant triumph, rather taller than the middle height, with a -graceful, slender figure, well-proportioned limbs, and a countenance -stamped with distinctly aristocratic features and expression. His -dark-brown, curly hair, his large and bright blue eye, his decided, -though delicately-formed aquiline nose, his rather full and handsome -mouth, his patrician, almost haughty pose and manner, as seen at that -time, are dwelt on, with true feminine enthusiasm, by a lady who -frequented the circles of which he was regarded as one of the most -shining ornaments.”--1828. - -[Sidenote: _Appleton’s Journal_, 1873.] - -“It was my fortune to see Bulwer in the House of Commons in 1863 and -1865, and in the House of Lords, to which he had recently risen, in -1868. He then had the appearance of being a man of some fifty years, -tallish, straight, stiff, and proudly sedate. His long, sombre face -was no longer ‘fair,’ but was yellow and wrinkled, while the almost -cadaverous aspect of his features added to the really far from -proportionate prominence of his long, aquiline nose. He now wore a -moustache with his ‘heavy red whiskers,’ which had themselves become -a dull brown, plentifully sprinkled with gray; and upon his chin he -grew an imperial. His hair was still thick, but no trace of its rich -auburn hue of youth remained; it was a heavy gray in colour. Spectacles -partially concealed the large but now dulled and glassy blue eyes; and -the whole appearance was far from prepossessing. On the former occasion -referred to, I heard him address the House in an eloquent and evidently -carefully-prepared speech of half an hour. His manner was quiet and -subdued, his voice no longer ‘lover-like and sweet,’ but rather harsh -and grating, and his declamation humdrum; occasionally a spark of the -old animation appeared, when he drew himself up to the full height, -and, for the moment seemed a very orator in motion as in speech; -but the spark soon vanished, and he was again Pelham grown old, the -exhausted and melancholy beau and wit of the past, struggling through -an imposed task.... His dress was conspicuously plain, almost stiff and -ministerial; though there was something about the attire of the neck -which seemed a suspicion of a relic of dandyism.” - - - - -THOMAS BABINGTON MACAULAY - -1800-1859 - - -[Sidenote: Trevelyan’s _Life and Letters of Lord Macaulay_.] - -“Macaulay’s outward man was never better described than in two -sentences of Praed’s Introduction to Knight’s _Quarterly Magazine_. -‘There came up a short manly figure, marvellously upright, with a bad -neckcloth, and one hand in his waistcoat pocket. Of regular beauty -he had little to boast; but in faces where there is an expression of -great power, or of great good-humour, or both, you do not regret its -absence.’ This picture, in which every touch is correct, tells all that -there is to be told. He had a massive head, and features of a powerful -and rugged cast, but so constantly lit up by every joyful and ennobling -emotion that it mattered little if, when absolutely quiescent, his face -was rather homely than handsome. While conversing at table no one -thought him otherwise than good-looking; but, when he rose, he was seen -to be short and stout in figure. ‘At Holland House, the other day,’ -writes his sister Margaret in September 1831, ‘Tom met Lady Lyndhurst -for the first time. She said to him: “Mr. Macaulay, you are so -different to what I had expected. I thought you were dark and thin, but -you are fair, and really, Mr. Macaulay, you are fat!”’ He at all times -sat and stood straight, full, and square; and in this respect Woolner, -in the fine statue at Cambridge, has missed what was undoubtedly the -most marked fact in his personal appearance. He dressed badly, but not -cheaply. His clothes, though ill put on, were good, and his wardrobe -was always enormously overstocked.”--1822 and 1831. - -[Sidenote: Crabb Robinson’s _Diary_.] - -“I went to James Stephen, and drove with him to his house at Hendon. A -dinner-party. I had a most interesting companion in young Macaulay, one -of the most promising of the rising generation I have seen for a long -time. He has a good face,--not the delicate features of a man of genius -and sensibility, but the strong lines and well-knit limbs of a man -sturdy in body and mind. Very eloquent and cheerful. Overflowing with -words, and not poor in thought. Liberal in opinion, but no radical. He -seems a correct as well as a full man. He showed a minute knowledge of -subjects not introduced by himself.”--1826. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a long Life_.] - -“I never heard Macaulay speak in the House, where, although by no -means an orator, he always made a strong impression. He spoke as he -wrote,--eloquently in the choicest diction,--smooth, easy, graceful, -and ever to the purpose, striving to convince rather than persuade, and -grudging no toil of preparation to sustain an argument or enforce a -truth. His person was in his favour; in form as in mind he was robust, -with a remarkably intelligent expression, aided by deep blue eyes that -seemed to sparkle, and a mouth remarkably flexible. His countenance -was certainly well calculated to impress on his audience the classical -language ever at his command--so faithfully did it mirror the high -intelligence of the speaker.... I found him--as the world has found -him--a man of rare intelligence, deep research, and untiring energy in -pursuit of facts: also a kind, courteous, and unaffected gentleman. His -memory is to me one of the pleasantest I can recall.” - - - - -WILLIAM MAGINN - -1793-1842 - - -[Sidenote: William Maginn’s _Miscellanies_.] - -“All were standing, all were listening to some one who sat in the -middle of a group. A low-seated man, short in stature, was uttering -pleasantries and scattering witticisms about him with the careless -glee of his country. His articulation was impeded by a stutter, yet -the sentences he stammered forth were brilliant repartees uttered -without sharpness, and edged rather with humour than with satire. His -countenance was rather agreeable than striking; its expression sweet -rather than bright; the gray hair, coming straight over his forehead, -gave a singular appearance to a face still bearing the attributes of -youth. He was thirty or thereabouts, but his thoughtful brow, his hair, -and the paleness of his complexion, gave him many of the attributes -of age. His conversation was careless and off-hand, and, but for the -impediment of speech, would have had the charm of a rich comedy. -His choice of words was such as I have rarely met with in any of my -contemporaries.”--1824. - -[Sidenote: _Bentley’s Miscellany_, 1842.] - -“I dined to-day at the Salopian with Dr. Maginn. He is a most -remarkable fellow. His flow of ideas is incredibly quick, and his -articulation so rapid, that it is difficult to follow him. He is -altogether a person of vast acuteness, celerity of apprehension, and -indefatigable activity both of body and mind. His is about my own -height; but I could allow him an inch round the chest. His forehead is -very finely developed, his organ of language and ideality large, and -his reasoning faculties excellent. His hair is quite gray, although he -does not look more than forty. I imagined he was much older looking, -and that he wore a wig. While conversing his eye is never a moment -at rest: in fact his whole body is in motion, and he keeps scrawling -grotesque figures upon the paper before him, and rubbing them out -again as fast as he draws them. He and Gifford are, as you know, joint -editors of the _Standard_.” - -[Sidenote: _The Dublin University Magazine_, 1844.] - -“Well does the writer of this notice recollect the feelings with which -he first wended to the residence of his late friend. He was then but -a mere boy, fresh from the university.... He went, and was shown -upstairs; the doctor was not at home, but was momentarily expected.... -Suddenly, when his heart almost sank within him, a light step was heard -ascending the stairs--it could not be a man’s foot--no, it was too -delicate for that; it must, certainly, be the nursery-maid. The step -was arrested at the door, a brief interval, and Maginn entered. The -spell vanished like lightning, and the visitor took heart in a moment. -No formal-looking personage, in customary suit of solemn black, stood -before him, but a slight, boyish, careless figure, with a blue eye, -the mildest ever seen--hair, not exactly white, but of a sunned snow -colour--an easy, familiar smile--and a countenance that you would be -more inclined to laugh with than feel terror from. He bounded across -the room with a most unscholar-like eagerness, and warmly welcomed the -visitor, asking him a thousand questions, and putting him at ease with -himself in a moment. Then, taking his arm, both sallied forth into the -street, where, for a long time, the visitor was in doubt whether it -was Maginn to whom he was really talking as familiarly as if he were -his brother, or whether the whole was a dream. And such, indeed, was -the impression generally made on the minds of all strangers--but, as -in the present case, it was dispelled instantly the living original -appeared. Then was to be seen the kindness and gentleness of heart -which tinged every word and gesture with sweetness; the suavity and -mildness, so strongly the reverse of what was to be expected from the -most galling satirest of the day; the openness of soul and countenance, -that disarmed even the bitterest of his opponents; the utter absence -of anything like prejudice and bigotry from him the ablest and most -devoted champion of the Church and State. No pedantry in his language, -no stateliness of style, no forced metaphors, no inappropriate -anecdote, no overweening confidence--all easy, simple, agreeable, and -unzoned.” - - - - -FRANCIS MAHONY - -(FATHER PROUT) - -1805-1866 - - -[Sidenote: The works of Father Prout.] - -“Stooping his short and spare but thick-set figure as he walked, -wearing his ill-brushed hat upon the extreme back of his head, clothed -in the slovenliest way in a semi-clerical dress of the shabbiest -character, he sauntered by with his right arm habitually clasped behind -him in his left hand,--altogether presenting to view so distinctly -the appearance of a member of one of the mendicant orders, that upon -one occasion, in the Rue de Rivoli, an intimate friend of his found -it impossible to resist the impulse of slipping a sou into the open -palm of his right hand, with the apologetic remark, ‘You _do_ look so -like a beggar.’ Apart, however, from his threadbare garb and shambling -gait, there were personal traits of character about him which caught -the attention almost at a glance, and piqued the curiosity of even the -least observant wayfarer. The ‘roguish Hibernian mouth,’ noted in his -regard by Mr. Gruneisen, and the gray piercing eyes, that looked up at -you so keenly over his spectacles, won your interest in him even upon a -first introduction. From the mocking lips soon afterwards, if you fell -into conversation with him, came the ‘loud snappish laugh,’ with which, -as Mr. Blanchard Jerrold remarks, the Father so frequently evinced -his appreciation of a casual witticism--uproarious fits of merriment -signalising at other moments one of his own ironical successes, -outbursts of fun followed during his later years by the racking cough -with which he was too often then tormented.” - -[Sidenote: Blanchard Jerrold’s _Final Reliques of Father Prout_.] - -“The Rev. Francis Mahony, or Father Prout, trudging along the -Boulevards with his arms clasped behind him, his nose in the air, -his hat worn as French caricaturists insist all Englishmen wear hat -or cap; his quick, clear, deep-seeking eye wandering sharply to the -right or left, and sarcasm--not of the sourest kind--playing like -Jack-o’-lantern in the corners of his mouth, Father Prout was as much a -character of the French capital as the learned Armenian of the Imperial -Library only a few years ago.... It was difficult to meet Father Prout. -He was an odd, uncomfortable, uncertain man. His moods changed like -April skies. Light little thoughts were busy in his brain, lively and -frisking as ‘troutlets in a pool.’ He was impatient of interruption, -and shambled forward talking in an undertone to himself, with now and -then a bubble or two of laughter, or one short sharp laugh almost -like a bark, like that of the marksman when the arrow quivers in the -bull’s-eye. He would pass you with a nod that meant ‘Hold off--not -to-day!’... He was very impatient if any injudicious friend or passing -acquaintance (who took him to be usually as accessible as any _flâneur_ -on the macadam), thrust himself forward and would have his hand and -agree with him that it was a fine day, but would possibly rain shortly. -A sharp answer, and an unceremonious plunge forward without bow or -good-day, would put an end to the interruption. Of course the Father -was called a bear by shallow-pates who could not see that there was -something extra in the little man talking to himself and shuffling, -with his hands behind him, through the _fines fleurs_ and _grandes -dames_ of the Italian Boulevard.” - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“In recalling the Rev. Francis Mahony, I am forcibly reminded of a -few lines at the beginning of old Burton’s _Anatomy of Melancholy_: -‘Democritus, as he is described by Hippocrates, and Laërtius, was -a little wearish old man, very melancholy by nature, averse from -company in his latter dayes, and much given to solitariness, a famous -philosopher in his age, ... wholly addicted to his studies at the last, -and to a private life; writ many excellent workes.’ Substituting Father -Prout’s name for that of Democritus, the words are equally descriptive -of the quaint little Irishman. He was a small spare man, with a pale -deeply-lined face; badly dressed; with gray unkempt whiskers, and -a certain waspish expression on his thin face which was utterly at -variance, not only with the good Father’s writings,--which for ‘real -larky fun,’ as James Hannay expressed it, are unsurpassed,--but also -with the really kind nature of the man. His eyes were by far the -best feature of his face. Keen, bright, and piercing, they were eyes -that held you. Their glance was very rapid and eager, and instantly -prepossessed you in his favour.” - - - - -FREDERICK MARRYAT - -1792-1848 - - -[Sidenote: F. Marryat’s _Life and Letters of Captain Marryat_.] - -“Although not handsome, Captain Marryat’s personal appearance was very -prepossessing. In figure he was upright, and broad-shouldered for -his height, which measured five feet ten inches. His hands, without -being under-sized, were remarkably perfect in form, and modelled by -a sculptor at Rome on account of their symmetry. The character of -his mind was borne out by his features, the most salient expression -of which was the frankness of an open heart. The firm decisive mouth -and massive thoughtful forehead were redeemed from heaviness by the -humorous light that twinkled in his deep-set gray eyes, which, bright -as diamonds, positively flashed out their fun, or their reciprocation -of the fun of others. As a young man, dark crisp curls covered his -head; but, later in life, when, having exchanged the sword for the pen -and the ploughshare, he affected a soberer and more patriarchal style -of dress and manner, he wore his gray hair long, and almost down to -his shoulders. His eyebrows were not alike, one being higher up and -more arched than the other, which peculiarity gave his face a look of -inquiry, even in repose. In the upper lip was a deep cleft, and in his -chin as deep a dimple--a pitfall for the razor, which, from the ready -growth of his dark beard, he was often compelled to use twice a day.” - -[Sidenote: _The Cornhill_, 1876.] - -“He was not a tall man--five feet ten--but I think intended by nature -to be six feet, only having gone to sea when still almost a child, at a -time when the between-decks were very low-pitched, he had, he himself -declared, had his growth unnaturally stopped. His immensely powerful -build and massive chest, which measured considerably over forty inches -round, would incline one to this belief. He had never been handsome, -as far as features went, but the irregularity of his features might -easily be forgotten by those who looked at the intellect shown in his -magnificent forehead. His forehead and his hands were his two strong -points. The latter were models of symmetry. Indeed, while resident -at Rome, at an earlier period of his life, he had been requested by a -sculptor to allow his hand to be modelled. At the time I now speak of -him he was fifty-two years of age, but looked considerably younger. -His face was clean-shaved, and his hair so long that it reached almost -to his shoulders, curly in light loose locks like those of a woman. -It was slightly gray. He was dressed in anything but evening costume -on the present occasion, having on a short velveteen shooting-jacket -and coloured trousers. I could not help smiling as I glanced at his -dress--recalling to my mind what a dandy he had been as a young -man.”--1844. - - - - -HARRIET MARTINEAU - -1802-1876 - - -[Sidenote: H. Martineau’s _Autobiography_.] - -“She was graver and laughed more rarely than any young person I ever -knew. Her face was plain, and (you will scarcely believe it) she had -_no_ light in the countenance, no expression to redeem the features. -The low brow and rather large under lip increased the effect of her -natural seriousness of look, and did her much injustice. I used to -be asked occasionally, ‘What has offended Harriet that she looks so -glum?’--I, who understood her, used to answer, ‘Nothing; she is not -offended, it is only her look,’”--1818. - -[Sidenote: James Payn’s _Literary Recollections_.] - -“In the porch stood Miss Martineau herself. A lady of middle height, -‘inclined’ as the novelists say ‘to _embonpoint_,’ with a smile on -her kindly face and her trumpet at her ear. She was at that time, -I suppose, about fifty years of age; her brown hair had a little -grey in it, and was arranged with peculiar flatness over a low but -broad forehead. I don’t think she could ever have been pretty, but -her features were not uncomely, and their expression was gentle and -motherly.”--1852. - -[Sidenote: H. Martineau’s _Autobiography_.] - -“... I saw Miss Martineau a few weeks since. She is a large, robust, -elderly woman, and plainly dressed; but withal she has so kind, -cheerful, and intelligent a face, that she is pleasanter to look at -than most beauties. Her hair is of a decided gray, and she does not -shrink from calling herself old. She is the most continual talker I -ever heard; it is really like the babbling of a brook; and very lively -and sensible too; and all the while she talks she moves the bowl of -her ear-trumpet from one auditor to another, so that it becomes quite -an organ of intelligence and sympathy between her and yourself.... All -her talk was about herself and her affairs; but it did not seem like -egotism, because it was so cheerful and free from morbidness.”--About -1856. - - - - -FREDERICK DENISON MAURICE - -1805-1872 - - -[Sidenote: F. Maurice’s _Life of F. D. Maurice_.] - -“He was distinctly below the middle height, not above five feet seven -inches, but he had a certain dignity of carriage, despite the entire -absence of any self-assertion of manner, which in the pulpit, where -only his head and shoulders were observable, removed the impression of -small stature.... His hair was now of a silvery white, very ample in -quantity, fine and soft as silk. The rush of his start for a walk had -gone. His movements had, like his life, become quiet and measured. At -no time had there been so much beauty about his face and figure. There -was now--partly from manner, partly from face, partly from a character -that seemed expressed in all,--beauty which seemed to shine round -him, and was very commonly observed by those amongst whom he was. -It made undergraduates, not specially impressionable, stop and watch -him.... Servants and poor people whom he visited often spoke of him as -‘beautiful.’”--1866. - -[Sidenote: _The Spectator_, 1872.] - -“Yet though Mr. Maurice’s voice seemed to be the essential part of -him as a religious teacher, his face, if you ever looked at it, was -quite in keeping with his voice. His eye was full of sweetness, but -fixed, and, as it were, fascinated on some ideal point. His countenance -expressed nervous, high-strung tension, as though all the various play -of feelings in ordinary human nature converged, in him, towards a -single focus, the declaration of the divine purpose. Yet this tension, -this peremptoriness, this convergence of his whole nature on a single -point, never gave the effect of a dictatorial air for a moment. There -was a quiver in his voice, a tremulousness in the strong deep lines -of his face, a tenderness in his eye, which assured you at once that -nothing of the hard crystallising character of a dogmatic belief in -the Absolute had conquered his heart, and most men recognised this, -for the hardest and most business-like voices took a tender and almost -caressing tone in addressing him.” - - - - -JOHN MILTON - -1608-1674 - - -[Sidenote: D’Israeli’s _Curiosities of Literature_.] - -“Salmasius sometimes reproaches Milton as being but a puny piece of -man, an homunculus, a dwarf deprived of the human figure, a bloodless -being composed of nothing but skin and bone, a contemptible pedagogue, -fit only to flog his boys; and rising into a poetic frenzy applies to -him the words of Virgil: ‘_Monstrum horrendum, informe, ingens, cui -lumen ademptum._’ Our great poet thought this senseless declamation -merited a serious refutation; perhaps he did not wish to appear -despicable in the eyes of the ladies; and he would not be silent on the -subject, he says, lest any one should consider him as the credulous -Spaniards are made to believe by their priests, that a heretic is a -kind of rhinoceros or a dog-headed monster. Milton says that he does -not think any one ever considered him as unbeautiful; that his size -rather approaches mediocrity than the diminutive; that he still felt -the same courage and the same strength which he possessed when young, -when, with his sword, he felt no difficulty to combat with men more -robust than himself; that his face, far from being pale, emaciated, and -wrinkled, was sufficiently creditable to him: for though he had passed -his fortieth year, he was in all other respects ten years younger. And -very pathetically he adds, ‘That even his eyes, blind as they are, -are unblemished in their appearance; in this instance alone, and much -against my inclination, I am a deceiver!’” - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_.] - -“He was scarce as tall as I am.[5] He had light browne hayre. His -complexion exceeding fayre. Ovall face, his eie a darke gray. His -widowe has his picture drawne very well and like, when a Cambridge -scollar. She has his picture when a Cambridge scollar, which ought to -be engraven; for the pictures before his books are not at all like -him.... He was a spare man.... Extreme pleasant in his conversation, -and at dinner, supper, etc., but satyricall. He pronounced the letter -_r_ very hard. He had a delicate tuneable voice, and had good skill. -His harmonicall and ingeniose soul did lodge in a beautiful and -well-proportioned body:--‘In toto nusquam corpore menda fuit.’--Ovid.” - -[Sidenote: Keightley’s _Life of Milton_. *] - -“In his person Milton was rather under the middle size, well built and -muscular. ‘His deportment,’ says Wood, ‘was affable, and his gait erect -and manly, bespeaking courage and undauntedness.’ He was skilled in the -use of the small sword, and, though he certainly would not have engaged -in a duel, he had strength, skill, and courage to repel the attack of -any adversary. His hair, which never fell off, was of a light-brown -hue, and he wore it parted on his forehead as it is represented in his -portraits. His eyes were gray, and, as the cause of his blindness was -internal, they suffered no change of appearance from it. His face was -oval, and his complexion was so fine in his youth that at Cambridge he -was, as we are told by Aubrey, called the Lady of his College; even in -his later days his cheeks retained a ruddy tinge. He had a fine ear -for music, and was well skilled in that delightful science; he used to -perform on the organ and bass-viol. His voice was sweet and musical, -and we may presume that his singing showed both taste and science.” - - -MARY RUSSELL MITFORD - -1786-1855 - - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“I certainly was disappointed when a stout little lady, tightened -up in a shawl, rolled into the parlour of Newman Street, and Mrs. -Holland announced her as Miss Mitford; her short petticoats showing -wonderfully stout leather boots, her shawl _bundled_ on, and a little -black coal-scuttle bonnet--when bonnets were expanding--added to the -effect of her natural shortness and rotundity; but her manner was that -of a cordial country gentlewoman; the pressure of her ‘fat’ little -hands (for she extended both) was warm; her eyes, both soft and bright, -looked kindly and frankly into mine; and her pretty rosy mouth dimpled -with smiles that were always sweet and friendly.... She was always -pleasant to look at, and had her face not been cast in so broad--so -‘out-spread’--a mould, she would have been handsome; even with that -disadvantage, if her figure had been tall enough to carry her head with -dignity, she would have been so; but she was most vexatiously ‘dumpy.’ -Miss Landon ‘hit off’ her appearance when she whispered, the first time -she saw her (and it was at our house), ‘Sancho Panza in petticoats!’ -but when Miss Mitford spoke, the awkward effect vanished,--her pleasant -voice, her beaming eyes and smiles, made you forget the wide expanse of -face; and the roley-poley figure, when seated, did not appear really -short.”--1828. - -[Sidenote: James Payn’s _Literary Recollections_.] - -“I can never forget the little figure rolled up in two chairs in the -little Swallowfield room, packed round with books up to the ceiling, on -to the floor--the little figure with clothes on of course, but of no -recognised or recognisable pattern; and somewhere out of the upper end -of the heap, gleaming under a great deep, globular brow, two such eyes -as I never, perhaps, saw in any other Englishwoman--though I believe -she must have had French blood in her veins, to breed such eyes, and -such a tongue, for the beautiful speech which came out of that ugly (it -was that) face, and the glitter and depth too of the eyes, like live -coals--perfectly honest the while, both lips and eyes--these seemed to -me to be attributes of the highest French, or rather Gallic, not of the -highest English, woman. In any case, she was a triumph of mind over -matter, of spirit over flesh, which gave the lie to all materialism, -and puts Professor Bain out of court--at least out of court with those -who use fair induction about the men and women whom they meet and -know.”--About 1851. - -[Sidenote: James Payn’s _Literary Recollections_.] - -“I seem to see the dear little old lady now, looking like a venerable -fairy, with bright sparkling eyes, a clear, incisive voice, and a -laugh that carried you away with it. I never saw a woman with such an -enjoyment of--I was about to say a joke, but the word is too coarse -for her--of a pleasantry. She was the warmest of friends, and with all -her love of fun never alluded to their weaknesses.... I well remember -our first interview. I expected to find the authoress of _Our Village_ -in a most picturesque residence, overgrown with honeysuckle and roses, -and set in an old-fashioned garden. Her little cottage at Swallowfield, -near Reading, did not answer this picture at all. It was a cottage, -but not a pretty one, placed where three roads met, with only a piece -of green before it. But if the dwelling disappointed me, the owner did -not. I was ushered upstairs (for at that time, crippled by rheumatism, -she was unable to leave her room) into a small apartment, lined with -books from floor to ceiling, and fragrant with flowers; its tenant -rose from her arm-chair with difficulty, but with a sunny smile and -a charming manner bade me welcome. My father had been an old friend -of hers, and she spoke of my home and belongings as only a woman can -speak of such things. Then we plunged, _in medias res_, into men and -books.”--1852. - - - - -LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU - -1690-1762 - - -[Sidenote: Horace Walpole’s _Letters_.] - -“I went last night to visit her. I give you my word of honour, and you -who know her will believe me without it, the following is a faithful -description: I found her in a little miserable bedchamber of a ready -furnished house, with two tallow candles and a bureau covered with -pots and pans. On her head, in full of all accounts, she had an old -black-laced hood wrapped entirely round so as to conceal all hair, or -want of hair; no handkerchief, but instead of it a kind of horseman’s -riding-coat, calling itself a _pet-en-l’air_, made of a dark green -brocade, with coloured and silver flowers, and lined with furs; bodice -laced; a full dimity petticoat, sprigged; velvet muffetees on her arms; -gray stockings and slippers. Her face less changed in twenty years than -I would have imagined. I told her so, and she was not so tolerable -twenty years ago that she should have taken it for flattery, but she -did, and literally gave me a box on the ears. She is very lively, all -her senses perfect, her language as imperfect as ever, her avarice -greater.” - -[Sidenote: Horace Walpole’s _Letters_.] - -“Did I tell you that Lady Mary Wortley is here? She laughs at my Lady -Walpole, scolds my Lady Pomfret, and is laughed at by the whole town. -Her dress, her avarice, and her impudence must amaze any one that never -heard her name. She wears a foul mob, that does not cover her greasy -black locks, that hang loose, never combed or curled; an old mazarine -blue wrapper, that gapes open and discovers a canvas petticoat. Her -face swelled violently on one side with the remains of a ----, partly -covered with a plaister, and partly with white paint, which for -cheapness she has bought so coarse that you would not use it to wash a -chimney.--In three words I will give you her picture as we drew it in -the ‘Sortes Virgilianae’-- - - ‘Insanam vatem aspicies.’ - -I give you my honour we did not choose it; but Gray, Mr. Coke, Sir -Francis Dashwood, and I, and several others, drew it fairly amongst a -thousand for different people, most of which did not hit as you may -imagine.”--1740. - - - - -THOMAS MOORE - -1779-1852 - - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“Moore’s forehead was bony and full of character, with ‘bumps’ of -wit, large and radiant enough to transport a phrenologist. Sterne had -such another. His eyes were as dark and fine as you would wish to see -under a set of vine-leaves; his mouth generous and good-humoured, with -dimples; and his manner was as bright as his talk, full of the wish -to please and be pleased. He sang, and played with great taste on the -pianoforte, as might be supposed from his musical compositions. His -voice, which was a little hoarse in speaking (at least I used to think -so), softened into a breath, like that of a flute, when singing. In -speaking he was emphatic in rolling the letter _r_, perhaps out of a -despair of being able to get rid of the national peculiarity.” - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“His eyes sparkle like a champagne bubble; there is a kind of wintry -red, of the tinge of an October leaf, that seems enamelled on his -cheek; his lips are delicately cut, slight, and changeable as an aspen; -the slightly-turned nose confirms the fun of the expression; and -altogether it is a face that sparkles, beams, and radiates-- - - ‘The light that surrounds him is all from within.’” - -1835. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a Long Life_.] - -“I recall him at this moment--his small form and intellectual face rich -in expression, and that expression the sweetest, the most gentle, and -the kindliest. He had still in age the same bright and clear eye, the -same gracious smile, the same suave and winning manner I had noticed as -the attributes of what might in comparison be styled his youth (I have -stated I knew him as long ago as 1821); a forehead not remarkably broad -or high, but singularly impressive, firm, and full, with the organs -of music and gaiety large, and those of benevolence and veneration -greatly preponderating; the nose, as observed in all his portraits, -was somewhat upturned. Standing or sitting, his head was invariably -upraised, owing, perhaps, mainly to his shortness of stature. He had -so much bodily activity as to give him the attribute of restlessness, -and no doubt that usual accompaniment of genius was eminently a -characteristic of his. His hair was, at the time I speak of, thin and -very gray, and he wore his hat with the jaunty air that has been -often remarked as a peculiarity of the Irish. In dress, although far -from slovenly, he was by no means precise. He had but little voice, -yet he sang with a depth of sweetness that charmed all hearers; it was -true melody, and told upon the heart as well as the ear. No doubt much -of this charm was derived from association, for it was only his own -melodies he sang.”--1845. - - - - -HANNAH MORE - -1745-1833 - - -[Sidenote: _Memoir of Mrs. Hannah More._] - -“I was much struck by the air of affectionate kindness with which the -old lady welcomed me to Barley Wood--there was something of courtliness -about it, at the same time the courtliness of the _vieille cour_, -which one reads of, but so seldom sees. Her dress was of light green -Venetian silk; a yellow, richly embroidered crape shawl enveloped her -shoulders; and a pretty net cap, tied under her chin with white satin -riband, completed the costume. Her figure is singularly _petite_; but -to have any idea of the expression of her countenance, you must imagine -the small withered face of a woman in her seventy-seventh year; and, -imagine also (shaded, but not obscured, by long and perfectly white -eyelashes) eyes dark, brilliant, flashing, and penetrating, sparkling -from object to object, with all the fire and energy of youth, and -smiling welcome on all around.”--1820. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“Her form was small and slight: her features wrinkled with age; but -the burden of eighty years had not impaired her gracious smile, nor -lessened the fire of her eyes, the clearest, the brightest, and the -most searching I have ever seen--they were singularly dark--positively -black they seemed as they looked forth among carefully-trained tresses -of her own white hair; and absolutely sparkled while she spoke of -those of whom she was the venerated link between the present and the -long past. Her manner on entering the room, while conversing, and at -our departure, was positively sprightly; she tripped about from console -to console, from window to window, to show us some gift that bore a -name immortal, some cherished reminder of other days--almost of another -world, certainly of another age; for they were memories of those whose -deaths were registered before the present century had birth.... She -was clad, I well remember, in a dress of rich pea-green silk. It was -an odd whim, and contrasted somewhat oddly with her patriarchal age -and venerable countenance, yet was in harmony with the youth of her -step, and her unceasing vivacity as she laughed and chatted, chatted -and laughed, her voice strong and clear as that of a girl, and her -animation as full of life and vigour as it might have been in her -spring-time.”--1825. - -[Sidenote: A. M. Hall’s _Pilgrimages to English Shrines_.] - -“Her brow was full and well sustained, rather than what would be called -_fine_: from the manner in which her hair was dressed, its formation -was distinctly visible; and though her eyes were half-closed, her -countenance was more tranquil, more sweet, more holy--for it _had_ -a holy expression--than when those deep intense eyes were looking -you through and through. Small, and shrunk, and aged as she was, she -conveyed to us no idea of feebleness. She looked, even then, a woman -whose character, combining sufficient thought and wisdom, as well as -dignity and spirit, could analyse and exhibit, in language suited -to the intellect of the people of England, the evils and dangers of -revolutionary principles. Her voice had a pleasant tone, and her -manner was quite devoid of affectation or dictation; she spoke as one -expecting a reply, and by no means like an oracle. And those bright -immortal eyes of hers--not wearied by looking at the world for more -than eighty years, but clear and far-seeing then--laughing, too, when -she spoke cheerfully, not as authors are believed to speak-- - - ‘In measured pompous tones,’-- - -but like a dear matronly dame, who had especial care and tenderness -towards young women. It is impossible to remember how it occurred, but -in reference to some observation I had made she turned briskly round -and exclaimed, ‘Controversy hardens the heart, and sours the temper: -never dispute with your husband, young lady; tell him what you think, -and leave it to time to fructify.’” - - - - -SIR THOMAS MORE - -1480-1535 - - -[Sidenote: More’s _Life of Sir Thomas More_.] - -“He was of a meane stature, well proportioned, his complexion tending -to the phlegmaticke, his colour white and pale, his hayre neither -black nor yellow, but betweene both; his eies gray, his countenance -amiable and chearefull, his voyce neither bigg nor shrill, but speaking -plainely and distinctly; it was not very tunable, though he delighted -much in musike, his bodie reasonably healthfull, only that towards his -latter ende by using much writing, he complained much of the ache of -his breaste. In his youth he drunke much water, wine he only tasted -of, when he pledged others; he loved salte meates, especially powdered -beefe, milke, cheese, eggs and fruite, and usually he eate of corse -browne bread, which it may be he rather used to punish his taste, -than from anie love he had thereto. For he was singularly wise to -deceave the world with mortifications, only contenting himselfe with -the knowledge which God had of his actions: et pater ejus, qui erat in -abscondito reddidit ei.” - -[Sidenote: Campbell’s _Lives of the Lord Chancellors_. *] - -“Holbein’s portrait of More has made his features familiar to all -Englishmen. According to his great-grandson, he was of ‘a middle -stature, well proportioned, of a pale complexion; his hair of a -chestnut colour, his eyes gray, his countenance mild and cheerful; -his voice not very musical, but clear and distinct; his constitution, -which was good originally, was never impaired by his way of living, -otherwise than by too much study. His diet was simple and abstemious, -never drinking any wine but when he pledged those who drank to him, and -rather mortifying than indulging his appetite in what he ate.’ - -[Sidenote: _Life of Sir Thomas More._ *] - -“He is rather below than above the middle size; his countenance of -an agreeable and friendly cheerfulness, with somewhat of an habitual -inclination to smile; and appears more adapted to pleasantry than -to gravity or dignity, though perfectly remote from vulgarity or -silliness.” - - - - -CAROLINE NORTON - -1808-1877 - - -[Sidenote: Kemble’s _Records of a Girlhood_.] - -“When I first knew Caroline Sheridan she had not long been married to -the Hon. George Norton. She was splendidly handsome, of an un-English -character of beauty, her rather large and heavy head and features -recalling the grandest Grecian and Italian models, to the latter of -whom her rich colouring and blue-black braids of hair gave her an -additional resemblance. Though neither as perfectly lovely as the -Duchess of Somerset, nor as perfectly charming as Lady Dufferin, -she produced a far more striking impression than either of them, by -the combination of the poetical genius with which she alone, of the -three, was gifted, with the brilliant power of repartee which they -(especially Lady Dufferin) possessed in common with her, united to -the exceptional beauty with which they were all three endowed. Mrs. -Norton was exceedingly epigrammatic in her talk, and comically dramatic -in her manner of relating things.... She was no musician, but had a -deep, sweet contralto voice, precisely the same in which she always -spoke, and which, combined with her always lowered eyelids (‘downy -eyelids’ with sweeping silken fringes), gave such incomparably comic -effect to her sharp retorts and ludicrous stories.... I admired her -extremely.--1827. - -“The next time ... was at an evening party at my sister’s house, -where her appearance struck me more than it had ever done. Her dress -had something to do with this effect, no doubt. She had a rich -gold-coloured silk on, shaded and softened all over with black lace -draperies, and her splendid head, neck, and arms, were adorned with -magnificently simple Etruscan ornaments, which she had brought from -Rome, whence she had just returned, and where the fashion of that -famous antique jewellery had lately been revived. She was still ‘une -beauté triomphante à faire voir aux ambassadeurs.’” - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“The most beautiful of ‘the beautiful Sheridans,’ Caroline Norton will -also live in the memory of her friends as one of the most fascinating -of women. Her voice was exceedingly sweet and musical, her movements -wonderfully graceful, and, with the solitary exception of Theodore -Hook, whose rough, coarse wit spared no one, her queenly bearing won -her general adulation and deference. Her face was a pure oval, her head -was crowned by heavy braids of the darkest hair, while the warmth and -light which suffused her expressive countenance gave her a somewhat -un-English appearance. Her eyes were dark; black curly lashes swept -over the warmly-tinted cheek; the lips were of geranium red; the teeth, -dazzlingly white. Altogether she was a vivid piece of colouring, and -as she was always very beautifully dressed, it did not require her -literary reputation to make her at all times sought after and admired.” - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a long Life_.] - -“It seems but yesterday--it is not so very long ago certainly--that -I saw for the last time the Hon. Mrs. Norton. Her radiant beauty was -then faded, but her stately form had been little impaired by years, and -she had retained much of the grace that made her early womanhood so -surpassingly attractive. She combined, in a singular degree, feminine -delicacy with masculine vigour; though essentially womanly, she seemed -to have the force of character of man. Remarkably handsome she perhaps -excited admiration rather than affection. I can easily imagine greater -love to be given to a far plainer woman. She had, in more than full -measure, the traditional beauty of her family, and no doubt inherited -with it some of the waywardness that is associated with the name of -Sheridan.” - - - - -THOMAS OTWAY - -1651-1685 - - -[Sidenote: _Gentleman’s Magazine_, 1745.] - -“You’ll be glad to know any trifling circumstance concerning Otway. His -person was of the middle size, about five feet seven inches in height, -inclinable to fatness. He had a thoughtful speaking eye, and that was -all. He gave himself up early to drinking, and, like the unhappy wits -of that age, passed his days between rioting and fasting, ranting -jollity and abject penitence, carousing one week with Lord Pl----th, -and then starving a month in low company at an ale-house on Tower Hill.” - -[Sidenote: Sir Walter Scott’s _Memoir of Mrs. Radcliffe_. *] - -“Otway, heavy, squalid, unhappy; yet tender countenance, but not so -squalid as one we formerly saw; full-speaking, black eyes; it seems as -if dissolute habits had overcome all his finer feelings, and left him -little of mind, except a sense of sorrow.” _On a picture._ - - - - -SAMUEL PEPYS - -1632-1703 - - -[Sidenote: _The Cornhill Magazine_, 1874. *] - -“Pepys spent part of a certain winter Sunday, when he had taken physic, -composing ‘a song in praise of a liberal genius (such as I take my -own to be) to all studies and pleasures.’ The song was successful, -but the diary is, in a sense, the very song that he was seeking; and -his portrait by Hales, so admirably reproduced in Mynors Bright’s -edition, is a confirmation of the diary. Hales, it would appear, had -known his business, and though he put his sitter to a deal of trouble, -almost breaking his neck ‘to have the portrait full of shadows,’ and -draping him in an Indian gown hired expressly for the purpose, he was -preoccupied about no merely picturesque effects, but to portray the -essence of the man. Whether we read the picture by the diary, or the -diary by the picture, we shall at least agree, that Hales was among -the numbers of those who can ‘surprise the manners in a face.’ Here we -have a mouth pouting, moist with desires; eyes greedy, protuberant, -and yet apt for weeping too; a nose great alike in character and -dimensions, and altogether a most fleshly, melting countenance. The -face is attractive by its promise of reciprocity. I have used the -word _greedy_, but the reader must not suppose that he can change -it for that closely kindred one of _hungry_, for there is here no -aspiration, no waiting for better things, but an animal joy in all -that comes. It could never be the face of an artist; it is the face of -a _viveur_--kindly, pleased, and pleasing, protected from excess and -upheld in contentment by the shifting versatility of his desires. For a -single desire is more rightly to be called a lust; but there is health -in a variety, where one may balance and control another.” - - - - -ALEXANDER POPE - -1688-1744 - - -[Sidenote: _The Guardian_, 1713.] - -“Dick Distich ... we have elected president, not only as he is the -shortest of us all, but because he has entertained so just a sense of -his stature as to go generally in black, that he may appear yet less. -Nay, to that perfection is he arrived, that he stoops as he walks. The -figure of the man is odd enough; he is a lively little creature, with -long arms and legs: a spider is no ill emblem of him. He has been taken -at a distance for a small windmill.”--1713. - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Life of Pope_.] - -“The person of Pope is well known not to have been formed on the nicest -model. He has, in his account of the Little Club, compared himself -to a spider, and, by another, is described as protuberant behind and -before. He is said to have been beautiful in his infancy; but he was of -a constitution originally feeble and weak; and, as bodies of a tender -frame are easily distorted, his deformity was, probably, in part the -effect of his application. His stature was so low, that to bring him on -a level with common tables it was necessary to raise his seat. But his -face was not displeasing, and his eyes were animated and vivid.... His -dress of ceremony was black, with a tie-wig and a little sword.... He -sometimes condescended to be jocular with servants or inferiors; but by -no merriment, either of others or of his own, was he ever seen excited -to laughter.” - -[Sidenote: Tyer’s _Historical rhapsody on Mr. Pope_.] - -“Pope, as Lord Clarendon says of (the ever memorable) Hales of Eaton, -was one of the least men in the kingdom; who adds of Chillingworth, -that he was of a stature little superior to him, and that it was an -age in which there were many great and wonderful men of that size.... -He inherited his deformity from his father, who turns out at last, -from the information of Mrs. Racket his relation, to have been a -linen-draper in the Strand. - - ‘My friend, this shape which you and I will admire, - Came not from Ammon’s son, but from my sire,’ - -as he expresses himself in his first epistle to Arbuthnot. He was -protuberant behind and before, in the words of his last biographer. -But he carried a mind in his face, as a reverend person once expressed -himself of a singular countenance. He had a brilliant eye, which -pervaded everything at a glance.” - - - - -BRYAN WALLER PROCTER - -1787-1874 - - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Life of Carlyle_.] - -“I have also seen and scraped acquaintance with Procter--Barry -Cornwall. He is a slender, rough-faced, palish, gentle, languid-looking -man, of three or four and thirty. There is a dreamy mildness in his -eye; he is kind and good in his manners and, I understand, in his -conduct. He is a poet by the ear and the fancy, but his heart and -intellect are not strong.”--1824. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Retrospect of a long Life_.] - -“A decidedly rather pretty little fellow, Procter, bodily and -spiritually: manners prepossessing, slightly London-elegant, not -unpleasant; clear judgment in him, though of narrow field; a sound, -honourable morality, and airy friendly ways; of slight, neat figure, -vigorous for his size; fine genially rugged little face, fine head; -something curiously dreamy in the eyes of him, lids drooping at the -_outer_ ends into a cordially meditative and drooping expression; would -break out suddenly now and then into opera attitude and a _Là ci darem -là mano_ for a moment; had something of real fun, though in London -style.” - -[Sidenote: Fields’s _Yesterdays with Authors_.] - -“The poet’s figure was short and full, and his voice had a low, -veiled tone habitually in it, which made it sometimes difficult to -hear distinctly what he was saying. When he spoke in conversation, -he liked to be very near his listener, and thus stand, as it were, -on confidential grounds with him. His turn of thought was apt to be -cheerful among his friends, and he entered readily into a vein of wit -and nimble expression. Verbal facility seemed natural to him, and his -epithets, evidently unprepared, were always perfect. He disliked cant -and hard ways of judging character. He praised easily. He impressed -every one who came near him as a born gentleman, chivalrous and -generous in a high degree.” - - - - -THOMAS DE QUINCEY - -1786-1859 - - -[Sidenote: Masson’s _de Quincey_.] - -“In addition to the general impression of his diminutiveness and -fragility, one was struck with the peculiar beauty of his head and -forehead, rising disproportionately high over his small, wrinkly -visage and gentle, deep-set eyes. His talk was in the form of -really harmonious and considerate colloquy, and not at all in that -of monologue.... That evening passed, and though I saw him once or -twice again, it is the last sight I remember best. It must have been, -I think, in 1846, on a summer afternoon. A friend, a stranger in -Edinburgh, was walking with me in one of the pleasant, quiet, country -lanes near Edinburgh. Meeting us, and the sole living thing in the -lane beside ourselves, came a small figure, not untidily dressed, -but with his hat pushed far up in front of his forehead, and hanging -on his hindhead, so that the back rim must have been resting on his -coat-collar. At a little distance I recognised it to be De Quincey; -but, not considering myself entitled to interrupt his meditations, I -only whispered the information to my friend, that he might not miss -what the look at such a celebrity was worth. So we passed him, giving -him the wall. Not unnaturally, however, after we passed, we turned -round for the pleasure of a back view of the wee, intellectual wizard. -Whether my whisper and our glance had alarmed him, as a ticket-of-leave -man might be rendered uneasy in his solitary walk by the scrutiny of -two passing strangers, or whether he had some recollection of me (which -was likely enough, as he seemed to forget nothing), I do not know, -but we found that he, too, had stopped, and was looking round at us. -Apparently scared at being caught doing so, he immediately wheeled -round again, and hurried his face towards a side-turning in the lane, -into which he disappeared, his hat still hanging on the back of his -head. That was my last sight of De Quincey.”--1846. - -[Sidenote: Page’s _de Quincey_.] - -“Pale he was, with a head of wonderful size, which served to make more -apparent the inferior dimensions of his body, and a face which lived -the sculptured past in every lineament from brow to chin. One seeing -him would surely be tempted to ask who he was that took off his hat -with such grave politeness, remaining uncovered if a lady were passing -almost until she was out of sight, and would get for an answer likely -enough, ‘Oh, that is little De Quincey, who hears strange sounds and -eats opium. Did you ever see such a little man?’ Little he was, indeed, -like Dickens and Jeffrey, the latter of whom had so little flesh that -it was said that his intellect was indecently exposed.” - -[Sidenote: James Payn’s _Literary Recollections_.] - -“In the ensuing summer, after the publication of another volume of -poems, I visited Edinburgh, and called upon De Quincey, to whom I -had a letter of introduction from Miss Mitford. He was at that time -residing at Lasswade, a few miles from the town, and I went thither -by coach. He lived a secluded life, and even at that date had become -to the world a name rather than a real personage; but it was a great -name. Considerable alarm agitated my youthful heart as I drew near -the house: I felt like Burns on the occasion when he was first about -‘to dinner wi’ a Lord.’... My apprehensions, however, proved to be -utterly groundless, for a more gracious and genial personage I never -met. Picture to yourself a very diminutive man, carelessly--very -carelessly--dressed; a face lined, careworn, and so expressionless -that it reminded one of ‘that chill changeless brow, where cold -Obstruction’s apathy appals the gazing mourners heart’--a face like -death in life. The instant he began to speak, however, it lit up as -though by electric light; this came from his marvellous eyes, brighter -and more intelligent (though by fits) than I have ever seen in any -other mortal. They seemed to me to glow with eloquence. He spoke of my -introducer, of Cambridge, of the Lake Country, and of English poets. -Each theme was interesting to me, but made infinitely more so by some -apt personal reminiscence. As for the last-named subject, it was like -talking of the Olympian gods to one not only cradled in their creed, -but who had mingled with them, himself half an immortal.” - - - - -ANN RADCLIFFE - -1764-1823 - - -[Sidenote: Kavanagh’s _English Women of Letters_. *] - -“Ann Ward’s education was plain and somewhat formal. She was shy; she -showed no extraordinary genius, and the times were not propitious -to the development of female intellect. The young girl’s person was -probably more admired than her mind. She was short, but exquisitely -proportioned; she had a lovely complexion, fine eyes and eyebrows, and -a beautiful mouth. She had a sweet voice too, and sang with feeling and -taste.” - -[Sidenote: Scott’s _Memoir of Ann Radcliffe_.] - -“This admirable writer, whom I remember from about the time of -her twentieth year, was, in her youth, of a figure exquisitely -proportioned, while she resembled her father and his brother and sister -in being low of stature. Her complexion was beautiful, as was her whole -countenance, especially her eye, eyebrows, and mouth.” - -[Sidenote: _Memoir of Mrs. Ann Radcliffe._] - -“Mrs. Radcliffe, though a giant in intellect, was low in stature, and -of a slender form, but exquisitely proportioned: her countenance was -beautiful and expressive.” - - - - -SIR WALTER RALEIGH - -1552-1618 - - -[Sidenote: _The Nineteenth Century_, 1881. *] - -“In appearance what manner of man was Raleigh when in Ireland? There -was much change, of course, from the dashing captain of eight and -twenty, when he was putting the unarmed men to the sword and hanging -the women in Dingle Bay, to the admiral of sixty-five who, between the -Tower and the scaffold, visited his old haunts in the county of Cork -for the last time in the three summer months of 1617. - -“But all accounts agree in giving him a commanding presence, a handsome -and well-compacted figure, a forehead rather too high; the lower part -of his face, though partly hidden by the moustache and peaked beard, -showing rare resolution. His portrait, a life-sized head, painted -when he was Major of Youghal, was recently presented to the owner -of his house, where it had been years ago, by the senior member for -the county of Waterford; and another original picture of him when in -Ireland is in the possession of the Rev. Pierce W. Drew of Youghal. -Both these Irish pictures show the same lofty brow and firm lips. There -is an old and much-prized engraving by Vander Werff of Amsterdam that -seems to combine all his characteristic features--the extraordinarily -high forehead, the moustache and peaked beard, ill-concealing a too -determined mouth. The likeness is most striking.” - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_. *] - -“He was a tall, handsome, and bold man; but his _næve_ was, that he was -damnably proud.... In the great parlour at Downton, at Mr. Ralegh’s, -is a good piece (an originall) of Sir W. in a white sattin doublet, -all embroidered with rich pearles, and a mighty rich chaine of great -pearles about his neck. The old servants have told me that the pearles -were neer as big as the painted ones. He had a most remarkable aspect, -an exceedingly high forehead, long-faced, and sourlie-bidded, a kind of -pigge-eie.... He spake broad Devonshire to his dye-ing day. His voice -was small, as likewise were my schoolfellowes, his gr. nephews.” - -[Sidenote: _Publications of the Prince Society._ *] - -“In all the pictures we have of him, there is almost nothing to suggest -the typical Englishman. Burly and robust. About six feet in height, -he is rather thin than corpulent, and in the vivacity of expression -and the nervous cast of his features he resembles rather the modern -New-Englander than the old-time Englishman. He was nineteen years -younger than Elizabeth, and had, as Naunton describes him, ‘a good -presence in a handsome and well-compacted person.’ Fuller has already -told us that at the time of his entrance at the court his clothes made -a ‘considerable part of his estate.’ He seems to have had an innate -love for the luxury and splendour of dress. He lived at a period -when gentlemen as well as ladies indulged in all the glory of gay -colours. Edwards, describing some of the more noted pictures of him, -says: ‘In another full-length, which long remained in the possession -of his descendants, he is apparelled in a white satin pinked vest, -close sleeved to the wrists with a brown doublet finely flowered -and embroidered with pearls, and a sword, also brown and similarly -decorated. Over the right hip is seen the jewelled pommel of his -dagger. He wears his hat, in which is a black feather with a ruby and -pearl drop. His trunk hose and fringed garters appear to be of white -satin. His buff-coloured shoes are tied with white ribbons.’” - - - - -CHARLES READE - -1814-1884 - - -[Sidenote: Coleman’s _Personal Reminiscences_.] - -“On arriving at Bolton Row I was shown into a large room littered over -with books, MSS. agenda, newspapers of every description from the -_Times_ and the _New York Herald_ down to the _Police News_. Before me -stood a stately and imposing man of fifty or fifty-one, over six feet -high, a massive chest, herculean limbs, a bearded and leonine face, -giving traces of a manly beauty which ripened into majesty as he grew -older. Large brown eyes which could at times become exceedingly fierce, -a fine head, quite bald on the top but covered at the sides with soft -brown hair, a head strangely disproportioned to the bulk of the body; -in fact I could never understand how so large a brain could be confined -in so small a skull. On the desk before him lay a huge sheet of drab -paper on which he had been writing--it was about the size of two sheets -of ordinary foolscap; in his hand one of Gillott’s double-barrelled -pens. (Before I left the room he told me he sent Gillott his books, and -Gillott sent him his pens.) - -“His voice, though very pleasant, was very penetrating. He was rather -deaf, but I don’t think quite so deaf as he pretended to be. This -deafness gave him an advantage in conversation; it afforded him time to -take stock of the situation, and either to seek refuge in silence or to -request his interlocutor to propound his proposal afresh. At first he -was very cold, but at last, carried away by the ardour of my admiration -for his works, he thawed, and in half an hour he was eager, excited, -delighted and delightful.”--1856. - -[Sidenote: _The Contemporary Review_, 1884.] - -“The man in truth justified Lavater, for his physiognomy was noble, -and his body the perfection of symmetry and grace. Nature gave him -a forehead as high as Shakespeare’s, but broader; the mild, pensive -ox-eye so dear to the old Greek æsthetes; a marble skin, a mouth that -was sarcasm itself. His personal attractiveness was phenomenal. In any -roomful of people, however illustrious, he became involuntarily--for -he was as little self-asserting off his paper as he was dogmatic on -it--the centre. Living immersed in Bohemianism, and in the society of -a large-hearted, yet not very cultured woman, he never parted company -with his Ipsden breeding, and his natural bearing was that of one born -to command.” - -[Sidenote: _Eclectic Magazine_, 1880.] - -“In personal appearance Mr. Reade is tall, erect, of a commanding -presence, with a full, expressive brown eye and a noble brow. His -manner is singularly dignified without being arrogant, and in society -he sustains an enviable reputation as a conversationalist.” - - - - -SAMUEL RICHARDSON - -1689-1761 - - -[Sidenote: Barbauld’s _Life of Richardson_. *] - -“Richardson was, in person, below the middle stature, and inclined -to corpulency; of a round, rather than oval face, with a fair, ruddy -complexion. His features, says one who speaks from recollection, -bore the stamp of good nature, and were characteristic of his placid -and amiable disposition. He was slow in speech, and, to strangers at -least, spoke with reserve and deliberation; but in his manners was -affable, courteous, and engaging, and when surrounded with the social -circle he loved to draw around him, his eye sparkled with pleasure, -and often expressed that particular spirit of archness which we see -in some of his characters, and which gave, at times, a vivacity to -his conversation not expected from his general taciturnity and quiet -manners.” - -[Sidenote: Richardson’s _Correspondence_.] - -“Short, rather plump, about five feet five inches, fair wig, one hand -generally in his bosom, the other a cane in it, which he leans upon -under the skirts of his coat, that it may imperceptibly serve him as a -support when attacked by sudden tremors or dizziness; of a light brown -complexion; teeth not yet failing him. Looking directly foreright as -passengers would imagine, but observing all that stirs on either hand -of him, without moving his short neck; a regular even pace, stealing -away ground rather than seeming to rid it; a gray eye, too often -overclouded by mistiness from the head, by chance lively, very lively, -if he sees any he loves; if he approaches a lady, his eye is never -fixed first on her face, but on her feet, and rears it up by degrees, -seeming to set her down as so and so.”--1749. - -[Sidenote: Stephen’s _Richardson_. *] - -“He looks like a plump white mouse in a wig, with an air at once -vivacious and timid, a quick excitable nature, taking refuge in the -outside of a smug, portly tradesman. Two coloured engravings in Mrs. -Barbauld’s volumes give us Richardson amidst his surroundings.... -One introduces us to Richardson at home. Half a dozen ladies and -gentlemen are sitting by the open window in his bare parlour looking -out into the garden. There is only one spindle-legged table, and a -set of uncompromising wooden chairs, just enough to accommodate the -party.... Miss Highmore, whose hoop can scarcely be squeezed into her -straight-backed chair, is quietly sketching the memorable scene. We are -truly grateful to her, for there sits the little idol of the party in -his usual morning dress, a nondescript brown dressing-gown with a cap -on his head of the same materials. His plump little frame fills the -chair, and he is apparently raising one foot for an emphatic stamp, -as he reads a passage of _Sir Charles Grandison_. We can see that as -he concludes he will be applauded with deferential gasps of heartfelt -admiration.” - - - - -SAMUEL ROGERS - -1763-1855 - - -[Sidenote: S. C Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“His countenance was the theme of continual jokes. It was ‘ugly,’ -if not repulsive. The expression was in no way, nor under any -circumstances, good; he had a drooping eye and a thick underlip; his -forehead was broad, his head large--out of proportion indeed to his -form; but it was without the organs of benevolence and veneration, -although preponderating in that of ideality. His features were -‘cadaverous.’ Lord Dudley once asked him why, now that he could afford -it, he did not set up his hearse; and it is said that Sydney Smith gave -him mortal offence by recommending him, ‘when he sat for his portrait, -to be drawn saying his prayers, with his face hidden by his hands.’” - -[Sidenote: Jerdan’s _Men I have known_.] - -“His personal appearance was extraordinary, or rather his countenance -was unique. His skull and facial expression bore so striking a likeness -to the skeleton pictures which we sometimes see of Death, that the -facetious Sydney Smith (at one of the dressed evening parties ...) -entitled him the ‘Death dandy.’ And it was told (probably with truth), -that the same satirical wag inscribed upon the capital portrait in his -breakfast-room, ‘Painted in his lifetime.’” - -[Sidenote: Mackay’s _Forty Years’ Recollections_.] - -“My first look at the poet, then in his seventy-eighth year, was an -agreeable surprise, and a protest in my mind against the malignant -injustice which had been done him. As a young man he might have been -uncomely, if not as ugly as his revilers had painted him, but as an -old man there was an intellectual charm in his countenance, and a -fascination in his manner which more than atoned for any deficiency of -personal beauty.”--1840. - - - - -DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI - -1828-1882 - - -[Sidenote: William Sharp’s _Dante Gabriel Rossetti_.] - -“According to a sketch by Mr. Eyre Crowe, dated about this time, -Rossetti must have had anything but a robust appearance, being very -thin and even somewhat haggard in expression. He went about in a long -swallow-tailed coat of what was even in 1848 an antique pattern. That -his appearance in his twentieth and some subsequent years was that -of an ascetic I have been told by several, including himself, and in -addition to such pen-and-ink sketches as the above, and of himself -sitting to Miss Siddall (his future wife) for his portrait, there are -the perhaps more reliable portraitures in Mr. Millais’s _Isabella_ -(painted in 1849), and Mr. Deverell’s _Viola_. On the other hand, -a beautifully-executed pencil head of himself in boyhood shows him -much removed from the ascetic type of later years, not unlike and -strongly suggestive of a young Keats or Chatterton; while in maturer -age he carefully drew his portrait from his mirrored image, the result -being a highly-finished pen-and-ink likeness. While speaking of -portraits, I may state that Rossetti was twice photographed, once in -Newcastle (which is the one publicly known, and upon which all other -illustrations have been based), and once standing arm-in-arm with Mr. -Ruskin, the latter being the best likeness of the poet-artist as he was -a quarter of a century ago. There is also an etching by Mr. Menpes, -which, however, is only founded on the well-known photograph; and, -finally, there is a portrait taken shortly after death by Mr. Frederick -Shields.” - -[Sidenote: Hall Caine’s _Recollections of Rossetti_.] - -“Very soon Rossetti came to me through the doorway in front, which -proved to be the entrance to his studio. Holding forth both hands -and crying, ‘Hulloa!’ he gave me that cheery hearty greeting which -I came to recognise as his alone, perhaps, in warmth and unfailing -geniality among all the men of our circle. It was Italian in its -spontaneity, and yet it was English in its manly reserve, and I -remember with much tenderness of feeling that never to the last (not -even when sickness saddened him, or after an absence of a few days or -even hours), did it fail him when meeting with those friends to whom -to the last he was really attached. Leading the way to the studio, he -introduced me to his brother, who was there upon one of the evening -visits, which at intervals of a week he was at that time making with -unfailing regularity. I should have described Rossetti, at this time, -as a man who looked quite ten years older than his actual age, which -was fifty-two, of full middle height and inclining to corpulence, -with a round face that ought, one thought, to be ruddy but was pale, -large gray eyes with a steady introspecting look, surmounted by broad -protrusive brows and a clearly-pencilled ridge over the nose, which -was well cut and had large breathing nostrils. The mouth and chin -were hidden beneath a heavy moustache and abundant beard, which grew -up to the ears, and had been of a mixed black-brown and auburn, and -were now streaked with gray. The forehead was large, round, without -protuberances, and very gently receding to where thin black curls, that -had once been redundant, began to tumble down to the ears. The entire -configuration of the head and face seemed to me singularly noble, and -from the eyes upwards full of beauty. He wore a pair of spectacles, -and, in reading, a second pair over the first: but these took little -from the sense of power conveyed by those steady eyes, and that ‘bar -of Michael Angelo.’ His dress was not conspicuous, being however -rather negligent than otherwise, and noticeable, if at all, only for -a straight sack-coat buttoned at the throat, descending at least to -the knees, and having large pockets cut into it perpendicularly at -the sides. This garment was, I afterwards found, one of the articles -of various kinds made to the author’s own design. When he spoke, even -in exchanging the preliminary courtesies of an opening conversation, -I thought his voice the richest I had ever known any one to possess. -It was a full deep baritone, capable of easy modulation, and with -undertones of infinite softness and sweetness, yet, as I afterwards -found, with almost illimitable compass, and with every gradation of -tone at command, for the recitation or reading of poetry.”--1880. - -[Sidenote: William Sharp’s _Dante Gabriel Rossetti_]. - -“As to the personality of Dante Gabriel Rossetti much has been written -since his death, and it is now widely known that he was a man who -exercised an almost irresistible charm over most with whom he was -brought in contact. His manner could be peculiarly winning, especially -with those much younger than himself, and his voice was alike notable -for its sonorous beauty and for a magnetic quality that made the ear -alert, whether the speaker was engaged in conversation, recitation, -or reading. I have heard him read, some of them over and over again, -all the poems in the _Ballads and Sonnets_; and especially in such -productions as _The Cloud Confines_ was his voice as stirring as -a trumpet tone; but where he excelled was in some of the pathetic -portions of the _Vita Nuova_, or the terrible and sonorous passages -of _L’Inferno_, when the music of the Italian language found full -expression indeed. His conversational powers I am unable adequately to -describe, for during the four or five years of my intimacy with him -he suffered too much from ill-health to be a consistently brilliant -talker, but again and again I have seen instances of those marvellous -gifts that made him at one time a Sydney Smith in wit, and a Coleridge -in eloquence. In appearance he was, if anything, rather over middle -height, and, especially latterly, somewhat stout; his forehead was -of splendid proportions, recalling instantaneously to most strangers -the Stratford bust of Shakespeare; and his gray blue eyes were clear -and piercing, and characterised by that rapid penetrative gaze -so noticeable in Emerson. He seemed always to me an unmistakable -Englishman, yet the Italian element was frequently recognisable. As far -as his own opinion is concerned, he was wholly English.”--1878. - - - - -RICHARD SAVAGE - -1697-1743 - - -[Sidenote: _Dublin University, Magazine_, 1858. *] - -“His companion, Who is he? He looks a little older, and is a great deal -slenderer, and very much better dressed; that is, his clothes are well -made, but alas! they are also well worn. He has an air of faded fashion -about him. There is decision in every line of the lank, and long, and -melancholy visage; it is a veritable Quixotic face. Meagre and proud, -and high and pale. An exceeding ‘woeful countenance,’ which sadness -and scorn alternately cloud and corrugate. It is mixed up with extreme -diversities. The brow and eye are intellectual and bright, while the -lower features are sensual and coarse: humour and passion both lurk in -the mouth, yet few smiles expand those lips from which laughter seems -altogether banished, while the voice is sweet, soft, and lute-like; -the pace is slow, and the gait has a certain pretension to importance, -which ill harmonises with the rest of his appearance. This person is -Richard Savage, a man whose rare talents might have brought him poetic -immortality, and a lofty pedestal in the muse’s temple, had not his -coarser vices, together with his pride and his ingratitude, dragged him -down to the lowest moral depth, and buried the many bright things he -had in brain and bosom, head and heart, in the same mud-heap.” - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Life of Savage_.] - -“He was of a middle stature, of a thin habit of body, a long visage, -coarse features, and melancholy aspect; of a grave and manly -deportment, a solemn dignity of mien, but which, upon a nearer -acquaintance, softened into an engaging easiness of manners. His walk -was slow, and his voice tremulous and mournful. He was easily excited -to smiles, but very seldom provoked to laughter.” - - - - -SIR WALTER SCOTT - -1771-1832 - - -[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Life of Scott_.] - -“His personal appearance at this time was not unengaging. A lady of -high rank, who remembers him in the Old Assembly Rooms, says, ‘Young -Walter Scott was a comely creature.’ He had outgrown the sallowness of -early ill-health, and had a fresh, brilliant complexion. His eyes were -clear, open, and well set, with a changeful radiance, to which teeth -of the most perfect regularity and whiteness lent their assistance, -while the noble expanse and elevation of the brow gave to the whole -aspect a dignity far above the charm of mere features. His smile was -always delightful; and I can easily fancy the peculiar intermixture -of tenderness and gravity, with playful innocent hilarity and humour -in the expression, as being well calculated to fix a fair lady’s eye. -His figure, excepting the blemish in one limb, must in those days -have been eminently handsome; tall, much above the usual standard, -it was cast in the very mould of a young Hercules; the head set on -with singular grace, the throat and chest after the truest model of -the antique, the hands delicately finished; the whole outline that of -extraordinary vigour, without as yet a touch of clumsiness. When he -had acquired a little facility of manner, his conversation must have -been such as could have dispensed with any exterior advantages, and -certainly brought swift forgiveness for the one unkindness of nature. -I have heard him, in talking of this part of his life, say, with an -arch simplicity of look and tone which those who were familiar with him -can fill in for themselves--‘It was a proud night with me when I first -found that a pretty young woman could think it worth her while to sit -and talk with me, hour after hour, in a corner of the ball-room, while -all the world were capering in our view.’”--1790. - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Life of Carlyle_.] - -“I never spoke with Scott.... Have a hundred times seen him, from of -old, writing in the Courts, or hobbling with stout speed along the -streets of Edinburgh; a large man, pale, shaggy face, fine, deep-browed -gray eyes, an expression of strong homely intelligence, of humour and -good-humour, and, perhaps (in later years amongst the wrinkles), of -sadness or weariness.... He has played his part, and left _none like_ -or second to him. _Plaudite!_” - -[Sidenote: Sir John Bowring’s _Autobiographical Recollections_.] - -“More eloquent men I have known, I think, but I never knew any one so -attractive. The variety of his conversation is stupendous, while it -overflows with the most agreeable anecdotes, and almost every person -who has figured in modern times has in some way or other been connected -with him. His manner of talking is without the smallest pretence, and -is gentle and humorous. His eye has a constant play upon it, and around -it. His dress is that of a substantial farmer,--a short green coat with -steel buttons, striped waistcoat and pantaloons, and he put on light -gaiters when we sallied forth.” - - - - -WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE - -1564-1616 - - -[Sidenote: E. T. Craig’s _Portraits of Shakespeare_. *] - -“The portrait of Martin Droeshout” (_published with the first folio -edition of Shakespeare’s works in 1623_) “has a greater claim to -attention, as it was engraved by a well-known artist at the time when -published by Shakespeare’s contemporaries, Heminge and Condell, and -has the additional testimony of the poet’s friend, Ben Jonson, in its -favour, in the following lines inscribed opposite to the engraving of -the portrait:-- - - ‘This figure, that thou here seest put, - It was for gentle Shakespeare cut; - Wherein the graver had a strife - With Nature, to out-doo the life. - O, could he but have drawne his wit - As well in brasse as he hath hit - His face, the print would then surpasse - All that was ever writ in brasse; - But since he cannot, reader, looke - Not on his picture, but his booke.’ - -These lines would indicate that the portrait of the face was -represented with some degree of truth. It may be observed here that -until within the last few years artists were less exact and minute -in the delineation of the head than the face; and the head appears -unusually high for its breadth, and impresses you with the semblance of -a form more like Scott than Byron, of Canova than Chantrey. - -“The features of Droeshout’s engraving bear a closer resemblance to -the plaster cast than to the Stratford bust. The nose has the same -flowing outline, well defined, prominent, yet finely chiselled, and -the nostrils rather large. There is the same long upper lip, and a -general correspondence with the mouth of the cast. The eye is large and -round, and in life would be mild and lustrous. The hair is thin and not -curled, and the head is high but comparatively narrow. There would be -moderate secretiveness, less destructiveness, small constructiveness, -and little acquisitiveness. There is an ample endowment of the higher -sentiments. The imaginative and imitative faculties are represented -as very large. Ideality, wonder, wit, imitation, benevolence, and -veneration, comparison and causality, are all very large. The -perceptive region is scarcely sufficiently indicated for the powers -of mind possessed by Shakespeare, in his vast and ready command of -view over the range of natural objects so evident in his works. This -may be the fault of the engraver. It is the opposite in this respect -to the cast from the face. There is one feature in the portrait which -harmonises with Milton’s praise and Jonson’s worship and Spenser’s -admiration,--his large benevolence, veneration and ideality, and his -small destructiveness and acquisitiveness, leading to the control over -his feelings and generous sympathy with others, manifested by his -quiet manner and gentle nature. Men of strong passions like Jonson -and Byron have very different heads to this portrait, which presents -a great contrast both to the bust and the Chandos portrait” (_said to -be painted by Burbage, a player contemporary with Shakespeare_). “The -physical proportions of the Droeshout figure harmonise better with a -fine temperament and an intellectual head than the Stratford bust with -Shakespeare’s mental activity.” - -[Sidenote: Halliwell-Phillipps’s _Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare_. -*] - -“The exact time at which the monument was erected in the church” -(_Stratford-on-Avon_) “is unknown, but it is alluded to by Leonard -Digges as being there in the year 1623. The bust must, therefore, have -been submitted to the approval of the Halls, who could hardly have been -satisfied with a mere fanciful image. There is, however, no doubt that -it was an authentic representation of the great dramatist, but it has -unfortunately been so tampered with in modern times that much of the -absorbing interest with which it would otherwise have been surrounded -has evaporated. It was originally painted in imitation of life, the -face and hands of the usual flesh colour, the eyes a light hazel, and -the hair and beard auburn. The realisation of the costume was similarly -attempted by the use of scarlet for the doublet, black for the loose -gown, and white for the collar and wristbands.” - -[Sidenote: E. T. Craig’s _Portraits of Shakespeare_. *] - -“It only remains to examine the cast from the face of Shakespeare. The -documentary statements published by Mr. Friswell tend to establish a -claim to attention. It was left in the possession of Professor Owen -by Dr. Becher, the enterprising botanist, who fell a victim to his -zeal in the unfortunate Australian expedition under Burke. The cast, -it appears, originally belonged to a German nobleman at the Court of -James I., whose descendants kept it as an heirloom till the last of -the race died, when his effects were sold. Mr. Friswell observes that -‘the cast bears some resemblance to the more refined portraits of the -poet. It is not unlike the ideal head of Roubillac, and bears a very -great resemblance to a fine portrait of the poet in the possession of -Mr. Challis.’ It has some of the characteristics of Jansen’s portrait. -The mask has a mournful aspect, and sensitive persons are affected -when they look at it.... There are indications visible ... of wrinkles -and ‘crow’s feet’ at the corners of the eyes. It is utterly destitute -of the jovial physiognomy of the Stratford bust and portrait. It is -certainly the impress from one who was gifted with great sensibility, -great range of perceptive power, a ready memory, great facility of -expression, varied power of enjoyment, and great depth of feeling. -The year 1616, when Shakespeare died, is recorded on the back of the -cast. Hairs of the moustache, eyelashes, and beard still adhere to -the plaster, of a reddish brown or auburn colour, corresponding with -several portraits and the Stratford bust.... The cast presents to view -finely formed features, strongly marked, yet regular. The forehead is -well developed in the region of the perceptive powers; but scarcely so -high as the Droeshout, and the coronal region is much lower than in -that of the Felton head. The sides of the head are well developed, and -there is a large mass of brain in the front. The moustache is divided, -and falls over the corners of the mouth, and the beard, or imperial, -is a full tuft on the chin, which, as well as the moustache, appears -to be marked with a tool since taken. The face is a sharp oval, that -of the bust is a blunt or round one. The chin is rather narrow and -pointed, yet firm; that of the bust well rounded. The cheeks are thin -and fallen; in those of the bust full, fat, and coarse, as if ‘good -digestion waited on appetite,’ without thought, fancy, or feeling, -troubling either. The mask has a moderate-sized upper lip, the bust a -very large one, although Sir Walter Scott lost his wager in asserting -that it was longer than his own. The lips of the cast are thin and well -marked; those of the bust present a rude opening for the mouth. The -nostrils are drawn up, and this feature is exaggerated in the bust. -The nose of the cast is large, finely marked, aquiline, and delicately -formed. That of the bust is short, mean, straight, and small. In -their physiognomy and phrenology they are utterly different. The cast -indicates the man of thought, emotion, and suffering; the bust, of -ease, enjoyment, and self-satisfaction. If the bust is to represent -the living image of the dead poet, the answer is, death does not -immediately alter the language once written on the ivory gate at the -temple of thought. It has been said by John Bell that the Stratford -bust was cut from a mask, but by a clumsy sculptor, who modified -his work. A monument, erected as a memorial of Shakespeare, should -therefore avoid the evident discrepancies that already exist, and -perpetrate no repetition of forms inconsistent with nature, truth, and -beauty.” - - - - -MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT SHELLEY - -1798-1851 - - -[Sidenote: _Anecdote Biography of P. B. Shelley._] - -“... At the time I am speaking of, Mrs. Shelley was twenty-four. Such a -rare pedigree of genius was enough to interest me in her, irrespective -of her own merits as an authoress. The most striking feature in her -face was her calm gray eyes; she was rather under the English standard -of woman’s height, very fair and light-haired, witty, social, and -animated in the society of friends, though mournful in solitude.”--1821. - -[Sidenote: The Cowden Clarkes’ _Recollections of Writers_.] - -“Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, with her well-shaped, -golden-haired head, almost always a little bent and drooping; her -marble-white shoulders and arms statuesquely visible in the perfectly -plain black velvet dress, which the customs of that time allowed to be -cut low, and which her own taste adopted; ... her thoughtful, earnest -eyes; her short upper lip and intellectually curved mouth, with a -certain close compressed and decisive expression while she listened, -and a relaxation into fuller redness and mobility when speaking; her -exquisitely formed, white, dimpled, small hands, with rosy palms, -and plumply commencing fingers, that tapered into tips as slender and -delicate as those in a Vandyck portrait,--all remain palpably present -to memory.”--About 1824. - -[Sidenote: _The Cornhill_, 1875.] - -“Shelley’s second love, who was five years his junior, is described -as ‘rather short, remarkably fair, and light-haired with brownish -gray eyes, a great forehead, striking features, and a noticeable air -of sedateness.’ One writer has compared her with the classic bust of -Clytie.” - - - - -PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY - -1792-1822 - - -[Sidenote: Stoddard’s _Anecdote Biography of Percy Bysshe Shelley_.] - -“As I felt in truth but a slight interest in the subject of his -conversation, I had leisure to examine, and, I may add, admire the -appearance of my very extraordinary guest. It was a sum of many -contradictions. His figure was slight and fragile, and yet his bones -and joints were large and strong. He was tall, but he stooped so much -that he seemed of a low stature. His clothes were expensive, and -made according to the most approved mode of the day; but they were -tumbled, rumpled, unbrushed. His gestures were abrupt and sometimes -violent, occasionally even awkward. His complexion was delicate and -almost feminine, of the purest red and white; yet he was tanned and -freckled by exposure to the sun, having passed the autumn, as he said, -in shooting. His features, his whole face, and particularly his head, -were, in fact, unusually small; yet the last _appeared_ of a remarkable -bulk, for his hair was long and bushy, and in fits of absence, and in -the agonies (if I may use the word) of anxious thought, he often rubbed -it fiercely with his hands, or passed his fingers quickly through his -locks unconsciously, so that it was singularly wild and rough. In -times when it was the mode to imitate stage-coachmen as closely as -possible in costume, and when the hair was invariably cropped, like -that of our soldiers, this eccentricity was very striking. His features -were not symmetrical (the mouth, perhaps, excepted), yet was the effect -of the whole extremely powerful. They breathed an animation, a fire, an -enthusiasm, a vivid and preternatural intelligence, that I never met -with in any other countenance.”--1810. - -[Sidenote: The Cowden Clarke’s _Recollections of Writers_.] - -“Shelley’s figure was a little above the middle height, slender, and -of delicate construction, which appeared the rather from a lounging or -waving manner in his gait, as though his frame was compounded barely -of muscle and tendon; and that the power of walking was an achievement -with him and not a natural habit. Yet I should suppose that he was not -a valetudinarian, although that has been said of him on account of his -spare and vegetable diet; for I have the remembrance of his scampering -and bounding over the gorse-bushes on Hampstead Heath late one -night--now close upon us, and now shouting from the height like a wild -school-boy. He was both an active and an enduring walker,--feats which -do not accompany an ailing and feeble constitution. His face was round, -flat, pale, with small features; mouth beautifully shaped; hair bright -brown and wavy; and such a pair of eyes as are rarely in the human or -any other head,--intensely blue, with a gentle and lambent expression, -yet wonderfully alert and engrossing; nothing appeared to escape his -knowledge.” - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“Shelley, when he died, was in his thirtieth year. His figure was tall -and slight, and his constitution consumptive. He was subject to violent -spasmodic pains, which would sometimes force him to lie on the ground -until they were over; but he had always a kind word to give to those -about him when his pangs allowed him to speak. In this organisation, -as well as in some other respects, he resembled the German poet -Schiller. Though well-turned, his shoulders were bent a little, owing -to premature thought and trouble. The same causes had touched his -hair with gray; and though his habits of temperance and exercise gave -him a remarkable degree of strength, it is not supposed that he could -have lived many years. He used to say that he had lived three times as -long as the calendar gave out; which he would prove, between jest and -earnest, by some remarks on Time, - - ‘That would have puzzled that stout Stagyrite.’ - -Like the Stagyrites, his voice was high and weak. His eyes were large -and animated, with a dash of wildness in them; his face small, but well -shaped, particularly the mouth and chin, the turn of which was very -sensitive and graceful. His complexion was naturally fair and delicate, -with a colour in the cheeks. He had brown hair, which, though tinged -with gray, surmounted his face well, being in considerable quantity, -and tending to a curl. His side face, upon the whole, was deficient -in strength, and his features would not have told well in a bust; but -when fronting and looking at you attentively, his aspect had a certain -seraphical character that would have suited a portrait of John the -Baptist, or the angel whom Milton describes as holding a reed ‘tipt -with fire.’”--1822. - - - - -RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN - -1751-1816 - - -[Sidenote: Moore’s _Life of Sheridan_.] - -“It has been seen, by a letter of his sister already given, that, -when young, he was generally accounted handsome; but in later years -his eyes were the only testimonials of beauty which remained to him. -It was, indeed, in the upper part of his face that the spirit of the -man chiefly reigned; the dominion of the world and the senses being -rather strongly marked out in the lower. In his person, he was above -the middle size, and his general make was, as I have already said, -robust and well-proportioned. It is remarkable that his arms, though of -powerful strength, were thin, and appeared by no means muscular. His -hands were small and delicate; and the following couplet, written on -the cast of one of them, very livelily enumerates both its physical and -moral qualities:-- - - ‘Good at a fight, better at a Play, - God-like in giving, but--the Devil to pay!’” - -[Sidenote: Jerdan’s _Men I have known_.] - -“I have seen his large beautiful eyes speak sadly, even while his -brilliant tongue was rehearsing the gayest sentiments and the finest -wit.... What a portrait to pronounce of intellect is that by Sir -Joshua! The head so fine, the expression so brilliant, and the lower -part of the countenance, in the prime of life, without the sensuous -encroachment of luxurious indulgence upon later years. And how -light-hearted the look.” - -[Sidenote: Gantter’s _Standard Poets of Great Britain_.] - -“Sheridan was above the middle size, and of a make robust and -well-proportioned. In his youth, his family said, he had been handsome; -but in his latter years he had nothing left to show for it but his -eyes. ‘It was, indeed, in the upper part of his face,’ says Mr. Moore, -‘that the spirit of the man chiefly reigned; the dominion of the world -and the senses being rather strongly marked out in the lower.’” - - - - -SIR PHILIP SIDNEY - -1554-1587-8 - - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_. *] - -“He was not only an excellent witt, but extremely beautiful; he much -resembled his sister but his haire was not red, but a little inclining; -viz., a darke amber colour. If I were to find a fault in it, methinkes -’tis not masculine enough; yett he is a person of great courage.... My -great-uncle Mr. T. Browne, remembered him, and sayd that he was wont to -take his table-booke out of his pocket and write downe his notions as -they came into his head, when he was writing his _Arcadia_ (which was -never finished by him) as he was hunting on our pleasant plaines.” - -[Sidenote: The Worthie Sir Phillip Sidney, Knight, his Epitaph.] - - “A man made out of goodliest mould - As shape in ware were wrought, - Or Picture stoode in stampe of gold - To please each gazer’s thought.... - ... His silent lookes sayd wisdome great - Did lodge in loftie brow: - His patient heart (in chollers heate) - Supprest all passion’s throw. - ... A portly presence passing fine - With beautie furnisht well, - Where vertues buds and grace divine - And daintie gifts did dwell.” - -[Sidenote: _The Edinburgh Review_, 1876. *] - -“He was tall, shapely, and muscular, with large blue-gray eyes, a long -aquiline nose, hair of a dark auburn tint, and full sensitive lips, the -slightly pensive expression of which was relieved by the decision of -the jaw and chin.” - - - - -HORACE SMITH - -1779-1849 - - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“Horace was delicious.... A finer nature than Horace Smith’s, except in -the single instance of Shelley, I never met with in man; nor even in -that instance, all circumstances considered, have I a right to say that -those who knew him as intimately as I did the other, would not have -had the same reasons to love him.... The personal appearance of Horace -Smith, like that of most of the individuals I have met with, was highly -indicative of his character. His figure was good and manly, inclining -to the robust; and his countenance extremely frank and cordial; sweet -without weakness. I have been told he was irascible. If so, it must -have been no common offence that could have irritated him. He had not a -jot of it in his appearance.”--1809. - - - - -SYDNEY SMITH - -1771-1845 - - -[Sidenote: Duycknick’s _Memoir of Sydney Smith_. *] - -“In person, Sydney Smith, as he has been described to us by those who -knew him, was of the medium height; plethoric in habit though of great -activity, of a dense brown complexion, a dark expressive eye, an open -countenance, indicative of shrewdness, humour, and benevolence. There -is a look too, in the English engraved portraits, of a thoughtful -seriousness. His ‘sense, wit, and clumsiness,’ said a college -companion, gave ‘the idea of an Athenian carter.’” - -[Sidenote: Reid’s _Life and Times of Sydney Smith_. *] - -“Strangers entering St. Paul’s ... would have witnessed a burly but -active-looking man of sixty-three, of medium height, with a dark -complexion and iron-gray hair, ascend the pulpit. When he stood up to -preach, the shapely and well-carried head, the fine eyes, with their -quick and penetrating glance, the expression of thorough benevolence -which lit up the sensitive yet boldly chiselled features of the strong -and intellectual face, would all contribute to heighten favourably -the first general impression concerning a man whose every movement -suggested intelligence, determination, and kindliness.”--1834. - -[Sidenote: Reid’s _Life and Times of Sydney Smith_.] - -“Very distinctly do I recall the portly figure of Sydney Smith seated -in his large yellow chariot--then a fashionable style of carriage--the -full-sized head, the face indicative, as it now presents itself to my -mind’s eye, of mental power, of kindliness, and of the spirit of humour -which possessed him.... This brilliant man was not brilliant only; -there was in his character, as I conceive, an unusually substantial -basis of sound common sense.” - - - - -TOBIAS SMOLLETT - -1721-1771 - - -[Sidenote: Chalmers’s _Life of Smollett_.] - -“The person of Smollett was stout and well-proportioned, his -countenance engaging, his manner reserved, with a certain air of -dignity that seemed to indicate that he was not unconscious of his own -powers.” - -[Sidenote: Anderson’s _Poets of Great Britain_. *] - -“In his person he was graceful and handsome, and in his air and manner -there was a certain dignity which commanded respect. He possessed a -loftiness and elevation of sentiment and character, without pride -or haughtiness, for to his equals and inferiors he was ever polite, -friendly and generous.” - -[Sidenote: Chambers’s _Eminent Scotsmen_. *] - -“Smollett, who thus died prematurely in the fifty-first year of his -age, and the bloom of his mental faculties, was tall and handsome, with -a most prepossessing carriage and address, and the marks and manners of -a gentleman.” - - - - -ROBERT SOUTHEY - -1774-1843 - - -[Sidenote: Froude’s _Carlyle_.] - -“A man towards well up in the fifties; hair gray, not yet hoary, -well setting off his fine clear brown complexion, head and face both -smallish, as indeed the figure was while seated; features finely -cut; eyes, brow, mouth, good in their kind--expressive all, and even -vehemently so, but betokening rather keenness than depth either of -intellect or character; a serious, human, honest, but sharp, almost -fierce-looking thin man, with very much of the militant in his -aspect,--in the eyes especially was visible a mixture of sorrow and of -anger, or of angry contempt, as if his indignant fight with the world -had not yet ended in victory, but also never should in defeat.”--1835. - -[Sidenote: _Southey’s Life and Correspondence._] - -“The personal appearance and demeanour of Southey at this time (he -was then aged sixty-two) was striking and peculiar. The only thing in -art which brings him exactly before me is the monument by Lough, the -sculptor. Like many other young men of the time who had read Byron -with great admiration, I had imbibed rather a prejudice against the -Laureate. This was weakened by his appearance, and wholly removed by -his frank conversation. He was calm, mild, and gentlemanly; full of -quiet, subdued humour; the reverse of ascetic in his manner, speech, or -actions. His bearing was rather that of a scholar than that of a man -much accustomed to mingle in general society.... In any place Southey -would have been pointed at as ‘a noticeable man.’ He was tall, slight, -and well made. His features were striking, and Byron truly described -him as ‘with a hook nose and a hawk’s eye.’ Certainly his eyes were -peculiar,--at once keen and mild. The brow was rather high than square, -and the lines well defined. His hair was tinged with gray, but his head -was as well covered with it--wavy and flowing--as it could have been in -youth. He by no means looked his age; simple habits, pure thoughts, the -quietude of a happy hearth, the friendship of the wise and good, the -self-consciousness of acting for the best purposes, a separation from -the personal irritations which men of letters are so often subjected -to in the world; and health, which to that time had been so generally -unbroken, had kept Southey from many of the cares of life, and their -usually harrowing effect on mind and body. It is one of my most -pleasant recollections that I enjoyed his friendship and regard.”--1836. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“His height was five feet eleven inches. ‘His forehead was very broad; -his complexion rather dark; the eyebrows large and arched; the eye well -shaped, and dark brown; the mouth somewhat prominent, muscular, and -very variously expressive; the chin small in proportion to the upper -features of the face.’ So writes his son, who adds that ‘many thought -him a handsomer man in age than in youth,’ when his hair had become -white, continuing abundant, and flowing in thick curls over his brow. -Byron, who saw him but twice, once at Holland House, and once at one -of Rogers’ breakfasts, said, ‘To have that man’s head and shoulders, I -would almost have written his sapphics.’ That was in 1813, when Southey -was in his prime.” - - - - -EDMUND SPENSER - -1553-1599 - - -[Sidenote: Grosart’s _Life of Spenser_. *] - -“But of Edmund Spenser we have inestimable portraits. In the first -rank must be placed the miniature now in the inherited possession -of Lord Fitzhardinge. It was a gift to the Lady Elizabeth Carey -(Althorp Spenser), heiress of the Hunsdons, to whom it was left by -Queen Elizabeth. It thus came with an indisputable lineage through the -marriage of a Berkeley to Lady Elizabeth Carey. It is an exquisitely -beautiful face. The brow is ample, the lips thin but mobile, the eyes -a grayish-blue, the hair and beard a golden red (as of ‘red monie’ -of the ballads) or goldenly chestnut, the nose with semi-transparent -nostril and keen, the chin firm-poised, the expression refined and -delicate. Altogether just such ‘presentment,’ of the Poet of Beauty -_par excellence_ as one would have imagined. To be placed next is the -older face of the Dowager Countess of Chesterfield. It is identically -the same face. But there is more roundness of chin, more fulness -or ripening of the lips (especially the under), more restfulness. -There is not the ‘fragile’ look of the Fitzhardinge miniature. Hair -and eyes agree with the miniature. The only other with a pedigree -or sufficiently authenticated,--not mere ‘copies,’ such as those at -Pembroke College,--is the very remarkable one that came down as a -Devonshire heirloom to the Rev. S. Baring Gould, M.A., with a companion -of Sir Walter Raleigh. - -“Both have been in the family beyond record. This shows the poet in the -full strength of manhood. It is a kind of three-quarter profile, and as -one studies it, it seems to vindicate itself as ‘our sage and serious -Spenser.’ Again, hair and eyes agree with the others. The Spaniard’s -haughty face, for long engraved and re-engraved, ought never to have -been engraved as Spenser. There is not a jot or tittle of evidence in -its favour. It is an absolutely un-English, and palpably Spanish face, -and an impossible portrait of our Poet.” - -[Sidenote: Payne Collier’s _Life of Spenser_. *] - -“Several portraits of Spenser are in existence; but it is difficult to -settle the degree of authenticity belonging to them. The late Mr. Rodd, -of Newport Street, had a miniature of the poet in his possession in -1845, and perhaps afterwards, which corresponded pretty exactly with -the ordinary representations, but what became of it is not known to us. -The features were sharp and delicately formed, the nose long, and the -mouth refined; but the lower part of the face projected, and the high -forehead receded, while the eyes and eyebrows did not very harmoniously -range.” - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Men_. *] - -“Mr. Beeston sayes he was a little man, wore short haire, little band, -and little cuffs.” - - - - -ARTHUR PENRHYN STANLEY - -1815-1881 - - -[Sidenote: _Harper’s Magazine_, 1881.] - -“He was at that time (and indeed always remained) very slight of his -age, of rather florid complexion, and with a singularly bright, quick, -and yet often dreamy expression. He wore his hat rather on the back of -his head, and walked with queer little short shuffling paces, rather on -his heels, so that you could tell him by his gait at any distance--a -singular contrast to the Doctor’s long shambling stride as they -walked along at the side of Mrs. Arnold’s gray pony on half-holiday -afternoons.”--1834. - -[Sidenote: _Macmillan_, 1881.] - -“Il n’improvisait jamais; il lisait avec gravité, avec une force réelle -qui étonnait, sortant d’un corps si fragile, mais avec une sorte de -monotonie. L’action oratoire manquait de variété et d’abandon; c’était -toujours la même note. Du reste, personne n’avait l’oreille moins -musicale que le doyen.... D’une complexion délicate, de petite taille, -son corps semblait n’être qu’un prétexte pour être, et pour retenir son -esprit dans le monde visible.” - -[Sidenote: _Temple Bar_, 1881.] - -“Dean Stanley, like so many great men, possessed some strongly-marked -personal characteristics. If he was superintendent in some qualities -there were some of which he was almost altogether destitute. He was -utterly careless of personal appearance, and of external circumstances. -Short and spare in figure, there was a beauty and a dignity about him -that made his presence a perpetual pleasure. Those clear-cut features, -the beautiful forehead, and the silvery head of hair, will remain -photographed on the minds of this generation. When in the performance -of any sacred or secular function, the more crowded his auditory, the -more he was at ease. There must be many who can remember him as he used -to stand at the lectern in the Abbey waiting to read the lesson in one -of those crowded services in the nave, with the people clustered even -round his feet, and yet unconsciously, as if in his own library, with -the old familiar action, passing his hand across his face and ruffling -up his head.” - - - - -SIR RICHARD STEELE - -1671-1729 - - -[Sidenote: Thackeray’s _English Humourists_.] - -“Dennis, who ran a-muck at the literary society of his day, falls foul -of poor Steele, and thus depicts him: ‘Sir John Edgar, of the County -of ---- in Ireland, is of a middle stature, broad shoulders, thick -legs, a shape like the picture of somebody over a farmer’s chimney; a -short chin, a short nose, a short forehead, a broad, flat face, and a -dusky countenance. Yet with such a face and such a shape, he discovered -at sixty that he took himself for a beauty, and appeared to be more -mortified at being told that he was ugly, than he was by any reflection -made upon his honour or understanding.’” - -[Sidenote: _Dublin University Magazine_, 1858. *] - -“The interior of a coffee-house at Hyde Park Corner. Here in a room -small and meanly furnished, sit two men who have just arrived in a -handsome carriage, which is at this moment driving from the door. One -of these is Richard Savage; the other, who is fully twenty years his -senior, is a _beau_ and a _militaire_, being a Captain in Lord Lucas’s -regiment of Fusileer Guards. With a somewhat diminutive stature and -a long dress sword; he has laced ruffles in abundance on his shirt -sleeves and at his bosom, but not a shadow on his smiling face; with an -air at that time styled ‘genteel,’ in these days called _distingué_. -Around this gentleman’s agreeable face and person there is a brilliant -atmosphere of life and animation, for the three Celtic characteristics -are his--vivacity, volatility, and versatility,--by turns the curse -and advantage, the obstacle and ornament of his nation,--for he is an -Irishman, and his name is Sir Richard Steele.” - -[Sidenote: Swift’s _Works_.] - -“He has naturally a downcast foreboding aspect, which they of the -country hereabouts call a hanging look, and an unseemly manner of -staring, with his mouth wide open, and under-lip propending, especially -when any ways disturbed.... He takes a great deal of pains to persuade -his neighbours that he has a very short face, and a little flat nose -like a diminutive wart in the middle of his visage.... His eyes are -large and prominent, too big of all conscience for the conceited -narrowness of his phiz.... His back, though not very broad, is well -turned, and will bear a great deal; I have seen him myself, more -than once, carry a vast load of timber. His legs also are tolerably -substantial, and can stride very wide upon occasion; but the best thing -about him is a handsome pair of heels, which he takes especial pride -to show, not only to his friends, but even to the very worst of his -enemies.” - - - - -LAURENCE STERNE - -1713-1768 - - -[Sidenote: Sir Walter Scott’s _Memoir of Sterne_. *] - -“We are well acquainted with Sterne’s features and personal appearance, -to which he himself frequently alludes. He was tall and thin, with a -hectic and consumptive appearance. His features, though capable of -expressing with peculiar effect the sentimental emotions by which -he was often affected, had also a shrewd, humorous, and sarcastic -expression, proper to the wit and the satirist. His conversation was -as animated as witty, but Johnson complained that it was marked by -licence, better suiting the company of the Lord of Crazy Castle than of -the great moralist.” - -[Sidenote: Timbs’s _Anecdote Biography_. *] - -“In the same year (1761) that Reynolds exhibited the large equestrian -portrait of Lord Ligonier, now in the National Gallery, he also -exhibited the half-length of Sterne, seated, and leaning on his hand. -This portrait was painted for the Earl of Ossary, and afterwards came -into the possession of Lord Holland, on whose death in 1840, it was -purchased for 500 guineas by the Marquis of Lansdowne. ‘This,’ says -Mrs. Jameson, ‘is the most astonishing head for truth of character -I ever beheld; I do not except Titian; the character, to be sure, -is different: the subtle evanescent expression of satire round the -lips, the shrewd significance in the eye, the earnest contemplative -attitude,--all convey the strongest impression of the man, of his -peculiar genius, and peculiar humour.’” - -[Sidenote: _Memoir of Sterne._ *] - -“Speaking of Sterne’s physiognomy, Lavater says, ‘In this face -you discover the arch, satirical Sterne, the shrewd and exquisite -observer, more limited in his object, but on that very account more -profound,--you discover him, I say, in the eyes, in the space which -separates them, in the nose and the mouth of this figure.’” - - - - -SIR JOHN SUCKLING - -1608-1641 - - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_.] - -“His picture, which is like him, before his poems, says that he was -but twenty-eight years old when he dyed. He was of middle stature and -slight strength, brisque round eie, reddish fac’t, and red-nosed (ill -liver), his head not very big, his hayre a kind of sand colour, his -beard turn’d up naturally, so that he had a brisk and graceful looke. -He died a batchelour.” - -[Sidenote: W. C. Hazlitt’s _Life of Sir John Suckling_.] - -“He was a man of grave deportment and very comely person: of a fair -complexion, with good features and flaxen haire.” - -[Sidenote: W. C. Hazlitt’s _Life of Sir John Suckling_. *] - -“In person he was of a middle size, though but slightly made, with a -winning and graceful carriage, and noble features.” - - - - -JONATHAN SWIFT - -1667-1745 - - -[Sidenote: Scott’s _Life of Swift_. *] - -“Swift was in person tall, strong, and well made, of a dark complexion, -but with blue eyes, black and bushy eyebrows, nose somewhat aquiline, -and features which remarkably expressed the stern, haughty, and -dauntless turn of his mind. He was never known to laugh, and his smiles -are happily characterised by the well-known lines of Shakespeare. -Indeed the whole description of Cassius might be applied to Swift: - - ‘He reads much; - He is a great observer and he looks - Quite through the deeds of men; ... - Seldom he smiles, and smiles in such a sort, - As if he mock’d himself and scorn’d his spirit - That could be moved to smile at any thing.’ - -... In youth he was reckoned handsome; Pope observed that though his -face had an expression of dulness, his eyes were very particular. They -were as azure, he said, as the heavens, and had an unusual expression -of acuteness. In old age the Dean’s countenance conveyed an expression -which, though severe, was noble and impressive.” - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Life of Swift_. *] - -“The person of Swift had not many recommendations. He had a kind -of muddy complexion which, though he washed himself with oriental -scrupulosity, did not look clear. He had a countenance sour and severe, -which he seldom softened by an appearance of gaiety. He stubbornly -resisted any tendency to laughter.” - -[Sidenote: Thomas Roscoe’s _Life of Dean Swift_. *] - -“Swift was of middle stature, inclining to tall, robust, and manly, -with strongly-marked and regular features. He had a high forehead, -a handsome nose, and large piercing blue eyes, which retained their -lustre to the last. He had an extremely agreeable and expressive -countenance, which, in the words of the unfortunate Vanessa, sometimes -shone with a divine compassion,--at others, the most engaging vivacity, -indignation, fearful passion, and striking awe. His mouth was pleasing, -he had a fine regular set of teeth, a round double chin with a small -dimple; his complexion a light olive or pale brown. His voice was -sharp, strong, high-toned; but he was a bad reader, especially of -verses, and disliked music. His mien was erect, his head firm, and his -whole deportment commanding. There was a sternness and severity in his -aspect which wit and gaiety did not entirely remove. When pleased he -would smile, but never laughed aloud.... In his person he was neat and -clean even to superstition, and appeared regularly dressed in his gown -every morning, to receive the visits of his most familiar friends.” - - - - -WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY - -1811-1863 - - -[Sidenote: Theodore Taylor’s _Thackeray_.] - -“As for the man himself who has lectured us, he is a stout, healthful, -broad-shouldered specimen of a man, with cropped grayish hair, and -keenish gray eyes, peering very sharply through a pair of spectacles -that have a very satiric focus. He seems to stand strongly on his own -feet, as if he would not be easily blown about or upset, either by -praise or pugilists; a man of good digestion, who takes the world easy, -and scents all shams and humours (straightening them between his thumb -and forefinger) as he would a pinch of snuff.”--1852. - -[Sidenote: Stoddard’s _Anecdote Biography of Thackeray_.] - -“Good portraits of Thackeray are so common, and so many of your -readers saw him in the lecture-room, that I need not describe his -person. The misshaped nose, so broad at the bridge and so stubby at -the end, was the effect of an early accident. His near-sightedness, -unless hereditary, must have had, I think, a similar origin, for no -man had less the appearance of a student who had weakened his sight by -application to books. In his gestures--especially in the act of bowing -to a lady--there was a certain awkwardness, made more conspicuous by -his tall, well-proportioned, and really commanding figure. His hair, -at forty, was already gray, but abundant and massy; the cheeks had a -ruddy tinge, and there was no sallowness in the complexion; the eyes, -keen and kindly even when they bore a sarcastic expression, twinkled -through and sometimes over the spectacles. What I should call the -predominant expression of the countenance was courage--a readiness to -face the world on its own terms, without either bawling or whining, -asking no favour, yielding, if at all, from magnanimity. I have seen -but two faces on which this expression, coupled with that of high and -intellectual power, was equally striking--those of Daniel Webster -and Thomas Carlyle. But the former had a saturnine gloom even in its -animation, and the latter a variety and intensity of expression which -was absent from Thackeray’s.” - -[Sidenote: Watts’s _Great Novelists_.] - -“In stature he was tall and commanding, and he walked erect. With -gray eyes--not over luminous--and a noble brow, his appearance was -confident, but never conceited or aggressive. He wore long hair, and, -but for a small whisker, shaved clean. His features, if anything, -were immobile; the nose, which had been fractured in youth at the -Charterhouse, was, like Milton’s, ‘a thoughtful one,’ and the nostrils -were full and wide, as are those of all men of genius, according to -Balzac.” - - - - -JAMES THOMSON - -1700-1748 - - -[Sidenote: Johnson’s _Life of Thomson_.] - -“Thomson was of stature above the middle size, and ‘more fat than bard -beseems,’ of a dull countenance, and a gross, unanimated, uninviting -appearance; silent in mingled company, but cheerful among select -friends, and by his friends very tenderly and warmly beloved.” - -[Sidenote: Murdoch’s _Thomson_.] - -“Our author himself hints, somewhere in his works, that his exterior -was not the most promising--his make being rather robust than graceful, -though it is known that in his youth he had been thought handsome. His -worst appearance was when you saw him walking alone in a thoughtful -mood, but let a friend accost him and enter into conversation, he would -instantly brighten into a most amiable aspect, his features no longer -the same, and his eye darting a peculiar animating fire. The case was -much alike in company, where, if it was mixed or very numerous, he made -but an indifferent figure, but with a few select friends he was open, -sprightly, and entertaining. His wit flowed freely but pertinently, and -at due intervals leaving room for every one to contribute his share. -Such was his extreme sensibility, so perfect the harmony of his organs -with the sentiments of his mind, that his looks always announced and -half expressed what he was about to say, and his voice corresponded -exactly to the manner and degree in which he was affected.” - -[Sidenote: Rossetti’s _Memoir of Thomson_. *] - -“Thomson was above the middle size, of a fat and bulky form, with a -face that might almost be called dull, and an uninviting heavy look, -although in his early youth he had even been counted handsome, and his -eyes were expressive. He was mostly taciturn, save in the company of -his familiar friends; with them he was cheerful and pleasant, and he -secured their attachment in an eminent degree.” - - - - -ANTHONY TROLLOPE - -1815-1882 - - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“I remember a man hitting off a very good description of Trollope’s -manner, by remarking that ‘he came in at the door like a frantic -windmill.’ The bell would peal, the knocker begin thundering, the door -be burst open, and the next minute the house be filled by the big -resonant voice inquiring who was at home. I should say he had naturally -a sweet voice, which through eagerness he had spoilt by holloing. He -was a big man, and the most noticeable thing about his dress was a -black handkerchief which he wore tied _twice_ round his neck. A trick -of his was to put the end of a silk pocket-handkerchief in his mouth -and to keep gnawing at it--often biting it into holes in the excess -of his energy; and a favourite attitude was to stand with his thumbs -tucked into the armholes of his waistcoat. He was a full-coloured man, -and joking and playful when at his ease. Unless with his intimates, -he rarely laughed, but he had a funny way of putting things, and was -usually voted good company.” - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“Trollope said his height was five feet ten, but most people would -have thought him taller. He was a stout man, large of limb, and always -held himself upright without effort. His manner was bluff, hearty, and -genial, and he possessed to the full the great charm of giving his -undivided attention to the matter in hand. He was always enthusiastic -and energetic in whatever he did. He was of an eager disposition, and -doing nothing was a pain to him. In early manhood he became bald; in -his latter life his full and bushy beard naturally grew to be gray. He -had thick eyebrows, and his open nostrils gave a look of determination -to his strong capable face. His eyes were grayish-blue, but he was -rarely seen without spectacles, though of late years he used to take -them off whenever he was reading. From a boy he had always been -short-sighted.” - -[Sidenote: A personal friend.] - -“Standing with his back to the fire, with his hands clasped behind -him and his feet planted somewhat apart, the appearance of Anthony -Trollope, as I recall him now, was that of a thorough Englishman in -a thoroughly English attitude. He was then, perhaps, nearing sixty, -and had far more the look of a country gentleman than of a man of -letters. Tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a careless though not -slovenly fashion, it seemed more fitting that he should break into -a vivid description of the latest run with the hounds than launch -into book-talk. Either subject, however, and for the matter of that -I might add _any_ subject, was attacked by him with equal energy. -In writing of the man, this, indeed, is the chief impression I -recall--his energy, his thoroughness. While he talked to me, I and -my interests might have been the only things for which he cared; and -any passing topic of conversation was, for the moment, the one and -absorbing topic in the world. Being short-sighted, he had a habit of -peering through his glasses which contracted his brows and gave him the -appearance of a perpetual frown, and, indeed, his expression when in -repose was decidedly severe. This, however, vanished when he spoke. He -talked well, and had generally a great deal to say; but his talk was -disjointed, and he but rarely laughed. In manner he was brusque, and -one of his most striking peculiarities was his voice, which was of an -extraordinarily large compass.”--1873. - - - - -EDMUND WALLER - -1605-1687 - - -[Sidenote: Aubrey’s _Lives of Eminent Persons_.] - -“His intellectuals are very good yet; but he growes feeble. He is -somewhat above a middle stature, thin body, not at all robust: fine -thin skin, his face somewhat of an olivaster; his hayre frized, of a -brownish colour, full eie, popping out and working; ovall faced, his -forehead high and full of wrinkles. His head but small, braine very -hott, and apt to be cholerique. _Quarto doctior, eo iracundior._--CIC. -He is somewhat magisteriall, and hath received a great mastership of -the English language. He is of admirable elocution, and gracefull, and -exceeding ready.”--1680. - -[Sidenote: _Life of Edmund Waller._ *] - -“Waller’s person was handsome and graceful. That delicacy of soul -which produces instinctive propriety, gave him an easy manner, which -was improved and finished by a polite education, and by a familiar -intercourse with the Great. The symmetry of his features was dignified -with a manly aspect, and his eye was animated with sentiment and -poetry. His elocution, like his verse, was musical and flowing. In the -senate, indeed, it often assumed a vigorous and majestick tone, which, -it must be owned, is not a leading characteristick of his numbers.... -His conversation was chatised by politeness, enriched by learning, and -brightened by wit.” - -[Sidenote: _An account of the life of Mr. Edmund Waller._ *] - -“’Twas the politeness of his manners, as well as the excellence of his -genius, which endeared him to these foreign wits. All the world knows -Mr. St. Evremond was polite almost to a fault, for ev’ry virtue has its -opposite vice, and this has affectation; and yet writing to my Lord St. -Albans he says, ‘Mr. Waller vous garde une conversation délicieuse, je -ne suis pas si vain de vous _parleur_ de mienne.’... We shall close -what we intend to say of his manners and personal endowments with the -Earl of Clarendon’s short character of him: ‘There was of the House -of Commons one Mr. Waller, and a gentleman of very good fortune and -estate, and of admirable parts and faculty of wit, and of an intimate -conversation with those who had that reputation.’ This, and what has -been taken out of his lordship’s history which has respect to Mr. -Waller’s qualities, confirm the judgment we endeavour to form of him -that he was one of the most polite, the most gallant, and the most -witty men of his time, and he supported that character above half a -century.” - - - - -HORACE WALPOLE - -1717-1797 - - -[Sidenote: _Walpoliana._] - -“The person of Horace Walpole was short and slender, but compact and -neatly formed. When viewed from behind he had somewhat of a boyish -appearance, owing to the form of his person, and the simplicity of his -dress. His features may be seen in many portraits; but none can express -the placid goodness of his eyes, which would often sparkle with sudden -rays of wit, or dart forth flashes of the most keen and intuitive -intelligence. His laugh was forced and uncouth, and even his smile not -the most pleasing. His walk was enfeebled by the gout; which, if the -editor’s memory do not deceive, he mentioned he had been tormented -with since the age of twenty-five.... This painful complaint not only -affected his feet, but attacked his hands to such a degree that his -fingers were always swelled and deformed.... His engaging manners and -gentle endearing affability to his friends exceed all praise.” - -[Sidenote: Cunningham’s _Letters of Walpole_. *] - -“The person of Horace Walpole[6] was short and slender, but compact, -and neatly formed. When viewed from behind he had, from the simplicity -of his dress, somewhat of a boyish appearance: fifty years ago, he -says, ‘Mr. Winnington told me I ran along like a pewet.’ His forehead -was high and pale. His eyes remarkably bright and penetrating. His -laugh was forced and uncouth, and his smile not the most pleasing. -His walk, for more than half his life, was enfeebled by the gout, -which not only affected his feet, but attacked his hands. Latterly -his fingers were swelled and deformed, having, as he would say, more -chalk-stones than joints in them, and adding with a smile, that he -must set up an inn, for he could chalk a score with more ease and -rapidity than any man in England.... His entrance into a room was -in that style of affected delicacy which fashion had made almost -natural--_chapeau bras_ between his hands as if he wished to compress -it, or under his arm, knees bent, and feet on tiptoe, as if afraid of -a wet floor. His summer dress of ceremony was usually a lavender suit, -the waistcoat embroidered with a little silver, or of white silk worked -in the tambour, partridge silk stockings, gold buckles, ruffles, and -lace frills. In winter he wore powder. He disliked hats, and in his -grounds at Strawberry would even in winter walk without one. The same -antipathy, Cole tells us, extended to a greatcoat.” - -[Sidenote: Hawkins’s _Memoirs_.] - -“His figure was not merely tall, but more properly long and slender to -excess; his complexion, and particularly his hands, of a most unhealthy -paleness. His eyes were remarkably bright and penetrating, very dark -and lively: his voice was not strong, but his tones were exceedingly -pleasant, and if I may say so, highly gentlemanly. I do not remember -his common gait; he always entered a room in that style of affected -delicacy which fashion had then made almost natural--_chapeau bras_ -between his hands, as if he wished to compress it, or under his arm, -knees bent, and feet on tiptoe, as if afraid of a wet floor. His -dress in visiting was most usually, in summer, when I most saw him, -a lavender suit, the waistcoat embroidered with a little silver, or -of white silk worked in the tambour, partridge silk stockings, and -gold buckles, ruffles and frill generally lace. I remember, when a -child, thinking him very much under-dressed, if at any time, except in -mourning, he wore hemmed cambric. In summer, no powder, but his wig -combed straight, and showing his very smooth, pale forehead, and queued -behind; in winter, powder.” - - - - -IZAAC WALTON - -1593-1683 - - -[Sidenote: Zouch’s _Memoir of Izaac Walton_. *] - -“The features of the countenance often enable us to form a judgment, -not very fallible, of the disposition of the mind. In few portraits -can this discovery be more successfully pursued than in that of Izaac -Walton. Lavater, the acute master of physiognomy, would, I think, -instantly acknowledge in it the decisive traits of the original,--mild -complacency, forbearance, mature consideration, calm activity, peace, -sound understanding, power of thought, discerning attention, and -secretly active friendship. Happy in his unblemished integrity, happy -in the approbation and esteem of others, he inwraps himself in his own -virtue. The exaltation of a good conscience eminently shines forth in -this venerable person-- - - ‘Candida semper - Gaudia, et in vultu curarum ignara voluptas.’” - - - - -JOHN WILSON - -1785-1854 - - -[Sidenote: de Quincey’s _Life and writings_.] - -“William Wordsworth it was who ... did me the favour of making me -known to John Wilson.... A man in a sailor’s dress, manifestly in -robust health, _fervidus juventa_, and wearing upon his countenance -a powerful expression of ardour and animated intelligence, mixed -with much good nature. ‘Mr. Wilson of Elleray’--delivered as the -formula of introduction, in the deep tones of Mr. Wordsworth--at once -banished the momentary surprise I felt on finding a stranger where I -had expected nobody, and substituted a surprise of another kind; and -there was no wonder in his being at Allan Bank, Elleray standing within -nine miles; but (as usually happens in such cases) I felt a shock of -surprise on seeing a person so little corresponding to the one I had -at first half-consciously prefigured. Figure to yourself a tall man -about six feet high, within half an inch or so, built with tolerable -appearance of strength; but at the date of my description (that is, in -the very spring-tide and bloom of youth) wearing, for the predominant -character of his person, lightness and agility or (in our Westmoreland -phrase) _lishness_, he seemed framed with an express view to gymnastic -exercises of every sort. Ask in one of your public libraries for that -little quarto edition of the ‘_Rhetorical Works of Cicero_’ ... and you -will there see ... a reduced whole-length of Cicero from the antique, -which in the mouth and chin, and indeed generally, if I do not greatly -forget, will give you a lively representation of the contour and -expression of Professor Wilson’s face. Of all this array of personal -features, however, I then saw nothing at all, my attention being -altogether occupied with Mr. Wilson’s conversation and demeanour, which -were in the highest degree agreeable; the points which chiefly struck -me, being the humility and gravity with which he spoke of himself, his -large expansion of heart, and a certain air of noble frankness which -overspread everything he said; he seemed to have an intense enjoyment -of life; indeed, being young, rich, healthy, and full of intellectual -activity, it could not be very wonderful that he should feel happy and -pleased with himself and others; but it was something unusual to find -that so rare an assemblage of endowments had communicated no tinge of -arrogance to his manner, or at all disturbed the general temperance of -his mind.”--1808. - -[Sidenote: Harriet Martineau’s _Biographical Sketches_.] - -“If the marvel of his eloquence is not lessened, it is at least -accounted for to those who have seen him,--or even his portrait. Such -a presence is rarely seen; and more than one person has said that he -reminded them of the first man, Adam, so full was that large frame -of vitality, force, and sentience. His tread seemed almost to shake -the streets, his eye almost saw through stone walls, and as for his -voice, there was no heart which could stand before it. He swept away -all hearts, whithersoever he would. No less striking was it to see him -in a mood of repose, as when he steered the old packet-boat that used -to pass between Bowness and Ambleside, before the steamers were put -upon the Lake. Sitting motionless with his hand upon the rudder, in -the presence of journey-men and market-women, with his eyes apparently -looking beyond everything into nothing, and his mouth closed under his -beard, as if he meant never to speak again, he was quite as impressive -and immortal an image as he could have been to the students of his -class or the comrades of his jovial hours.” - -[Sidenote: Forster’s _Life of Dickens_.] - -“Walking up and down the hall of the courts of law (which was full -of advocates, writers to the signet, clerks, and idlers), was a -tall, burly, handsome man of eight and fifty, with a gait like -O’Connell’s, the bluest eye you can imagine, and long hair--longer than -mine--falling down in a wild way under the broad brim of his hat. He -had on a surtout coat, a blue checked shirt; the collar standing up, -and kept in its place with a wisp of black neckerchief; no waistcoat; -and a large pocket-handkerchief thrust into his breast, which was all -broad and open. At his heels followed a wiry, sharp-eyed, shaggy devil -of a terrier, dogging his steps as he went slashing up and down, now -with one man beside him, now with another, and now quite alone, but -always at a fast, rolling pace, with his head in the air, and his eyes -as wide open as he could get them. I guessed it was Wilson; and it was. -A bright, clear-complexioned, mountain-looking fellow, he looks as -though he had just come down from the Highlands and had never in his -life taken pen in hand. But he has had an attack of paralysis in his -right arm within this month. He winced when I shook hands with him, and -once or twice when we were walking up and down slipped as if he had -stumbled on a piece of orange-peel. He is a great fellow to look at, -and to talk to; and, if you could divest your mind of the actual Scott, -is just the figure you would put in his place.”--1841. - - - - -ELLEN WOOD - -(MRS. HENRY WOOD) - -1814-1887 - - -[Sidenote: _The Argosy_, 1887.] - -“The face was a pure oval of the most refined description; that -perfection of form that is so rarely seen. A small, straight, very -delicate and refined nose; teeth of dazzling whiteness, entire to the -day of her death; a perfect mouth, revealing at once the sensitiveness -and tender sympathy of her nature, and the steadfastness of her -disposition. Her eyes were unusually large, dark, and flashing, with -a penetrating gaze that seemed to read your inmost thoughts. One felt -that everything before her had to be outspoken; for if you uttered -only half your thoughts, she would certainly divine the rest.... The -head was well set upon the shoulders; a head perfect in form, small -except where the intellectual faculties were developed. Her complexion -was dazzling, the most lovely bloom at all times contrasting with the -brilliant whiteness of her skin. In hours of animation I have watched -the delicate flush come and go a hundred times in as many minutes -across her wonderful countenance; and, to record the simile once used -by a friend in speaking to me of this peculiar beauty, ‘chasing each -other like the rosy clouds of sunrise sweeping across a summer sky.’ -She had a very keen sense of wit and humour. This strange beauty -remained with her to the end. Even in hours of illness and suffering -it never forsook her. Her face never lost its look of youth. It was -absolutely without line or wrinkle or any mark or sign of age. She kept -to the last the complexion and freshness of a young girl; that strange -radiancy which seemed the reflection of some unseen glory. This was so -great that to the last we were unable to realise that death could come -to her.” - - - - -WILLIAM WORDSWORTH - -1770-1850 - - -[Sidenote: Leigh Hunt’s _Autobiography_.] - -“Mr. Wordsworth ... had a dignified manner, with a deep and roughish -but not unpleasing voice, and an exalted mode of speaking. He had a -habit of keeping his left hand in the bosom of his waistcoat; and -in this attitude, except when he turned round to take one of the -subjects of his criticism from the shelves (for his contemporaries were -there also), he sat dealing forth his eloquent but hardly catholic -judgments.... Walter Scott said that the eyes of Burns were the finest -he ever saw. I cannot say the same of Mr. Wordsworth; that is, not in -the sense of the beautiful, or even of the profound. But certainly I -never beheld eyes which looked so inspired and supernatural. They were -like fires half burning, half smouldering with a sort of acrid fixture -of regard, and seated at the further end of two caverns. One might -imagine Ezekiel or Isaiah to have had such eyes. The finest eyes, in -every sense of the word, which I have ever seen in a man’s head (and I -have seen many fine ones), are those of Thomas Carlyle.”--1815. - -[Sidenote: S. C. Hall’s _Memories of Great Men_.] - -“His features were large, and not suddenly expressive; they conveyed -little idea of the ‘poetic fire’ usually associated with brilliant -imagination. His eyes were mild and up-looking, his mouth coarse rather -than refined, his forehead high rather than broad; but every action -seemed considerate, and every look self-possessed, while his voice, -low in tone, had that persuasive eloquence which invariably ‘moves -men.’”--1832. - -[Sidenote: Carlyle’s _Reminiscences_.] - -“... He (Wordsworth) talked well in his way; with veracity, easy -brevity, and force, as a wise tradesman would of his tools and -workshop,--and as no unwise one could. His voice was good, frank, and -sonorous, though practically clear, distinct, and forcible, rather -than melodious; the tone of him business-like, sedately confident; no -discourtesy, yet no anxiety about being courteous. A fine wholesome -rusticity, fresh as his mountain breezes, sat well on the stalwart -veteran, and on all he said and did. You would have said he was a -usually taciturn man; glad to unlock himself to audience sympathetic -and intelligent when such offered itself. His face bore marks of much, -not always peaceful, meditation; the look of it not bland or benevolent -so much as close, impregnable, and hard: a man _multa tacere loquive -paratus_, in a world where he had experienced no lack of contradictions -as he strode along! The eyes were not very brilliant, but they had a -quiet clearness; there was enough of brow, and well-shaped; rather -too much of cheek (‘horse face’ I have heard satirists say); face of -squarish shape, and decidedly longish, as I think the head itself was -(its ‘length’ going horizontal); he was large-boned, lean, but still -firm-knit, tall, and strong-looking when he stood, a right good old -steel-gray figure, with rustic simplicity and dignity about him, and a -vivacious strength looking through him which might have suited one of -those old steel-gray markgrafs whom Henry the Fowler set up to ward the -‘marches’ and do battle with the heathen in a stalwart and judicious -manner.” - - - - -SIR HENRY WOTTON - -1568-1639 - - -[Sidenote: _Reliquiæ Wottoninæ_] - -“He returned out of _Italy_ in _England_ about the thirtieth year of -his age, being then noted by many, both for his person and comportment; -for indeed he was of a choice shape, tall of stature, and of a most -persuasive behaviour; which was so mixed with sweet Discourse and -Civilities, as gained him much love from all Persons with whom he -entered into an acquaintance. And whereas he was noted in his Youth -to have a sharp Wit, and apt to jest; that, by Time, Travel, and -Conversation, was so polished, and made so useful, that his company -seemed to be one of the delights of mankind.”--1598. - -[Sidenote: M. E. W. *] - -“An eminently lovable face, albeit there is something in the -gravely-set mouth which recalls the old Elizabethan expression ‘_My -Dearest Dread_.’ The love of those about him for this tender-worded -amourous poet, this gentle student, this courtly gentleman, must have -struggled hard for the mastery with that reverence which they must have -felt for the learned author, the friend of kings, the diplomatist. -Something of all this, I fancy, shows in the face and figure of the man -as Jansen has portrayed him in the picture now hanging in the Bodleian -Library at Oxford. The high square brow from which the hair has been -brushed up and back in short silky waves, the strongly-marked eyebrows, -the long straight nose,--they all speak of good brains and an iron -will; while there is a suspicion of daintiness in the close-cropped -whiskers, trimly-pointed beard, and flowing moustache. The eyes are -his finest feature, large and oval, with the eyelid drooping somewhat -at the outer edge, which gives him a look of sadness. So far from -bending forward under the orthodox student’s-stoop, Sir Henry is tall, -straight, and broad-shouldered, for he comes of a fighting race, and -there is more of the soldier than of the scholar in his appearance. -The hands are strong, nervous, and well shaped; the dress that of -a sober-minded gentleman. That word indeed sums up his personal -appearance as fully as it does his character: the portrait of Sir Henry -Wotton is emphatically that of a gentleman.” - - -THE END. - - - - - _Printed by_ R. & R. CLARK, _Edinburgh_. - - _S. & H._ - - - - -RICHARD BENTLEY & SON’S - -LIST OF WORKS - -FOR - -_OCTOBER & NOVEMBER_ - -1887. - - -I - - =AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES= OF W. P. FRITH, R.A. In two - vols., demy 8vo., with two Portraits. - -II - - =WHAT I REMEMBER.= By THOMAS ADOLPHUS TROLLOPE. In two vols., demy - 8vo., with Portrait. - -III - - =MEMOIRS OF THE PRINCESSE HÉLÈNE= DE LIGNE. From the French of - LUCIEN PEREY, by LAURA ENSOR. In two vols., large crown 8vo., with - Portrait. - -IV - - =VERESTCHAGIN: PAINTER: SOLDIER=: TRAVELLER. Autobiographical - Sketches by Mons. and Madame VERESTCHAGIN, from the original by F. - H. PETERS, M.A. In two volumes, large crown 8vo., with upwards of - eighty Illustrations from sketches by the Author. - -V - - =AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND REMINISCENCES= OF SIR DOUGLAS FORSYTH, K.C.S.I., - C.B. Edited by his Daughter, ETHEL FORSYTH. In demy 8vo., with - Portrait on Steel, and Map. - -VI - - =THE COURT AND REIGN OF FRANCIS= THE FIRST, KING OF FRANCE. By - JULIA PARDOE. A New Edition in three volumes, demy 8vo., with - Illustrations on Steel, and voluminous Index. - -VII - - =THE LAST OF THE VALOIS: and the= Accession of Henry of Navarre, - 1559-1610. By CATHERINE CHARLOTTE LADY JACKSON. In two vols., large - Crown 8vo., with Portraits on Steel. 24s. - -VIII - - =A HOLIDAY ON THE ROAD.= An Artist’s Wanderings in Kent, Sussex, - and Surrey. By JAMES JOHN HISSEY. In demy 8vo., with numerous - Illustrations from Sketches by the Author, and engraved upon wood - by GEORGE PEARSON. - -IX - - =WILD LIFE AND ADVENTURE IN THE= AUSTRALIAN BUSH. By ARTHUR NICOLS, - F.G.S., F.R.G.S., Author of “Zoological Notes,” “Natural History - of the Carnivora,” etc. In two vols., large crown 8vo., with eight - Illustrations from Sketches by MR. JOHN NETTLESHIP. - -X - - =MY CONSULATE IN SAMOA.= With Personal Experiences of King Malietoa - Laupepa, His Country, and His Men. By WILLIAM B. CHURCHWARD. In - demy 8vo. 15s. - -XI - - =LETTERS FROM CRETE.= Written during the Spring of 1886. By CHARLES - EDWARDES. In demy 8vo. 15s. - -XII - - =THE ENGLISH OCCUPATION OF TANGIERS=, 1663-1684. Being the first - volume of “The History of the Second Queen’s Royal Regiment (now - the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment).” By Lieut.-Colonel JOHN - DAVIS, F.S.A., Author of “Historical Records of the Second Royal - Surrey Militia.” In royal 8vo., with Maps, Plans, and numerous - Illustrations. Vol. I. 24s. - - _The Work is expected to be completed in four volumes, royal 8vo._ - -XIII - - - =LORD CARTERET=: a Political Biography. By ARCHIBALD BALLANTYNE. In - demy 8vo. 16s. - -XIV - - =WORD PORTRAITS of FAMOUS WRITERS.= Edited by MABEL E. WOTTON. In - large Crown 8vo. - -XV - - =A GENTLEMAN OF THE OLDEN TIME.= FRANÇOIS DE SCÉPEAUX, SIRE DE - VIEILLEVILLE, 1509-1571. From the French of Madame C. Coignet, by - C. B. PITMAN. In two vols., crown 8vo. 21s. - - -LONDON: RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON ST. - -Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen. - - - - -FOOTNOTES: - - -[1] All wool. - -[2] “Prively a _penner_ gan he borwe, - And in a lettre wrote he all his sorwe!” - _Marchant’s Tale_, l. 9753. - -[3] A puppet. - -[4] Shy, reserved. - -[5] _Q. Quot feet I am high? Resp. of middle stature._ - -[6] Drawn from Pinkerton, Miss Hawkins, Coles MSS. and his letters. - - - - - * * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. - - Archaic spelling that may have been in use at the time of publication - has been preserved. - - Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been preserved. - - One unpaired double quotation mark could not be corrected. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WORD PORTRAITS OF FAMOUS WRITERS*** - - -******* This file should be named 56166-0.txt or 56166-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/6/1/6/56166 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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