Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXVII, August 1852, Vol. VVarious
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXVII, August 1852, Vol. V
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Visionaries are usually slovens. They despise fashions, and imagine
that dirtiness is an attribute of genius. To do the honorable member
for Artois justice, he was above this affectation. Small and neat in
person, he always appeared in public tastefully dressed, according
to the fashion of the period--hair well combed back, frizzled, and
powdered; copious frills at the breast and wrists; a stainless white
waistcoat; light-blue coat, with metal buttons; the sash of a
representative tied round his waist; light-colored breeches, white
stockings, and shoes with silver buckles. Such was his ordinary
costume; and if we stick a rose in his button-hole, or place a
nosegay in his hand, we shall have a tolerable idea of his whole
equipment. It is said he sometimes appeared in top-boots, which is
not improbable; for this kind of boot had become fashionable among
the republicans, from a notion that as top-boots were worn by
gentlemen in England, they were allied to constitutional government.
Robespierre's features were sharp, and enlivened by bright and
deeply-sunk blue eyes. There was usually a gravity and intense
thoughtfulness in his countenance, which conveyed an idea of his
being thoroughly in earnest. Yet, his address was not unpleasing.
Unlike modern French politicians, his face was always smooth, with
no vestige of beard or whiskers. Altogether, therefore, he may be
said to have been a well-dressed, gentlemanly man, animated with
proper self-respect, and having no wish to court vulgar applause by
neglecting the decencies of polite society.
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