1711-1776
[Sidenote: Chambers’s _Eminent Scotsmen_.]
“Lord Charlemont, who at this period met with Mr. Hume at Turin, has
given the following account of his habits and appearance, penned
apparently with a greater aim at effect than at truth, yet somewhat
characteristic of the philosopher: ‘Nature, I believe, never formed
any man more unlike his real character than David Hume. The powers of
physiognomy were baffled by his countenance; neither could the most
skilful in the science pretend to discover the smallest trace of the
faculties of his mind in the unmeaning features of his visage. His face
was broad and fat, his mouth wide, and without any other expression
than that of imbecility. His eyes vacant and spiritless; and the
corpulence of his whole person was far better fitted to communicate
the idea of a turtle-eating alderman than of a refined philosopher.
His speech in English was rendered ridiculous by the broadest Scotch
accent, and his French was, if possible, still more laughable, so that
wisdom most certainly never disguised herself before in so uncouth a
garb.’”
[Sidenote: Lockhart’s _Peter’s Letters_.]
“The prints of David Hume are, most of them, I believe, taken from
the very portrait I have seen; but of course the style and effect
of the features are much more thoroughly to be understood when one
has an opportunity of observing them expanded in their natural
proportions. The face is far from being in any respect a classical
one. The forehead is chiefly remarkable for its prominence from the
ear, and not so much for its height. This gives him a lowering sort
of look forwards, expressive of great inquisitiveness into matters
of fact and the consequences to be deduced from them. His eyes are
singularly prominent, which, according to the Gallic system, would
indicate an extraordinary development of the organ of language behind
them. His nose is too low between the eyes, and not well or boldly
formed in any other respect. The lips, although not handsome, have in
their fleshy and massy outlines abundant marks of habitual reflection
and intellectual occupation. The whole had a fine expression of
intellectual dignity, candour, and serenity. The want of elevation,
however, which I have already noticed, injures very much the effect
even of the structure of the lower part of the head.... It is to be
regretted that he wore powder, for this prevents us from having the
advantage of seeing what was the natural style of his hair--or, indeed,
of ascertaining the form of any part of his head beyond the forehead.”
[Sidenote: David Hume’s _Life_.]
“To conclude historically with my own character. I am, or rather was
(for that is the style which I must now use in speaking of myself,
which emboldens me the more to speak my sentiment); I was, I say, a
man of mild dispositions, of command of temper, of an open, social,
and cheerful humour, capable of attachment, but little susceptible
of enmity, and of great moderation in all my passions. Even my
love of literary fame--my ruling passion, never soured my temper,
notwithstanding my frequent disappointments. My company was not
unacceptable to the young and careless, as well as to the studious and
literary; and as I took a particular pleasure in the company of modest
women, I had no reason to be displeased with the reception I met with
from them.”