“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. *]