“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.
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