“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.’