1689-1761
[Sidenote: Barbauld’s _Life of Richardson_. *]
“Richardson was, in person, below the middle stature, and inclined
to corpulency; of a round, rather than oval face, with a fair, ruddy
complexion. His features, says one who speaks from recollection,
bore the stamp of good nature, and were characteristic of his placid
and amiable disposition. He was slow in speech, and, to strangers at
least, spoke with reserve and deliberation; but in his manners was
affable, courteous, and engaging, and when surrounded with the social
circle he loved to draw around him, his eye sparkled with pleasure,
and often expressed that particular spirit of archness which we see
in some of his characters, and which gave, at times, a vivacity to
his conversation not expected from his general taciturnity and quiet
manners.”
[Sidenote: Richardson’s _Correspondence_.]
“Short, rather plump, about five feet five inches, fair wig, one hand
generally in his bosom, the other a cane in it, which he leans upon
under the skirts of his coat, that it may imperceptibly serve him as a
support when attacked by sudden tremors or dizziness; of a light brown
complexion; teeth not yet failing him. Looking directly foreright as
passengers would imagine, but observing all that stirs on either hand
of him, without moving his short neck; a regular even pace, stealing
away ground rather than seeming to rid it; a gray eye, too often
overclouded by mistiness from the head, by chance lively, very lively,
if he sees any he loves; if he approaches a lady, his eye is never
fixed first on her face, but on her feet, and rears it up by degrees,
seeming to set her down as so and so.”--1749.
[Sidenote: Stephen’s _Richardson_. *]
“He looks like a plump white mouse in a wig, with an air at once
vivacious and timid, a quick excitable nature, taking refuge in the
outside of a smug, portly tradesman. Two coloured engravings in Mrs.
Barbauld’s volumes give us Richardson amidst his surroundings....
One introduces us to Richardson at home. Half a dozen ladies and
gentlemen are sitting by the open window in his bare parlour looking
out into the garden. There is only one spindle-legged table, and a
set of uncompromising wooden chairs, just enough to accommodate the
party.... Miss Highmore, whose hoop can scarcely be squeezed into her
straight-backed chair, is quietly sketching the memorable scene. We are
truly grateful to her, for there sits the little idol of the party in
his usual morning dress, a nondescript brown dressing-gown with a cap
on his head of the same materials. His plump little frame fills the
chair, and he is apparently raising one foot for an emphatic stamp,
as he reads a passage of _Sir Charles Grandison_. We can see that as
he concludes he will be applauded with deferential gasps of heartfelt
admiration.”