1748-1832
[Sidenote: Sir John Bowring’s _Autobiographical Recollections_.]
“In the very centre of the group of persons who originated the
_Westminster Review_ stands the grand figure of Jeremy Bentham.
Though closely resembling Franklin, his face expresses a profounder
wisdom and a more marked benevolence than the bust of the American
printer. Mingled with a serene contemplative cast, there is something
of playful humour in the countenance. The high forehead is wrinkled,
but is without sternness, and is contemplative but complacent. The
neatly-combed long white hair hangs over the neck, but moves at every
breath. _Simplex munditiis_ best describes his garments. When he walks
there is a restless activity in his gait, as if his thoughts were, ‘Let
me walk fast, for there is work to do, and the walking is but to fit me
the better for the work.’”
[Sidenote: Sir John Bowring’s _Life of Bentham_.]
“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.