1771-1845
[Sidenote: Duycknick’s _Memoir of Sydney Smith_. *]
“In person, Sydney Smith, as he has been described to us by those who
knew him, was of the medium height; plethoric in habit though of great
activity, of a dense brown complexion, a dark expressive eye, an open
countenance, indicative of shrewdness, humour, and benevolence. There
is a look too, in the English engraved portraits, of a thoughtful
seriousness. His ‘sense, wit, and clumsiness,’ said a college
companion, gave ‘the idea of an Athenian carter.’”
[Sidenote: Reid’s _Life and Times of Sydney Smith_. *]
“Strangers entering St. Paul’s ... would have witnessed a burly but
active-looking man of sixty-three, of medium height, with a dark
complexion and iron-gray hair, ascend the pulpit. When he stood up to
preach, the shapely and well-carried head, the fine eyes, with their
quick and penetrating glance, the expression of thorough benevolence
which lit up the sensitive yet boldly chiselled features of the strong
and intellectual face, would all contribute to heighten favourably
the first general impression concerning a man whose every movement
suggested intelligence, determination, and kindliness.”--1834.
[Sidenote: Reid’s _Life and Times of Sydney Smith_.]
“Very distinctly do I recall the portly figure of Sydney Smith seated
in his large yellow chariot--then a fashionable style of carriage--the
full-sized head, the face indicative, as it now presents itself to my
mind’s eye, of mental power, of kindliness, and of the spirit of humour
which possessed him.... This brilliant man was not brilliant only;
there was in his character, as I conceive, an unusually substantial
basis of sound common sense.”