"The French painter's remark that 'he was more like one of the old
Dutch admirals we see in picture galleries than a man of letters,'
conveyed an admirably true idea to his friends. He had, indeed,
much of the quiet, resolute manner of command of a captain of a
ship. He trod along briskly as he walked; as he listened, his
searching eye rested on you, and the nerves in his face quivered,
much like those in the delicately formed nostrils of a finely bred
dog. There was a curl or two in his hair at each side, which was
characteristic; and the jaunty way he wore his little morning hat,
rather on one side, added to the effect. But when there was
anything droll suggested, a delightful sparkle of lurking humor
began to kindle and spread to his mouth, so that, even before he
uttered anything, you felt that something irresistibly droll was at
hand."