“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. *]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account