Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/204

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Aubrey's friendly pen we get a sketch of Sir William at about this period of his life. 'He is a proper handsome man, the antiquarian writes; 'measures six foot high, good head of brown hair, moderately turning up—vide his picture as Dr. of Physick. His eyes are a kind of goose grey, but very short sighted, and as to aspect, beautiful, and promise sweetness of nature; and they do not deceive, for he is a marvellous good natured person, and εὺσπλαγχνος. Eyebrows thick, dark and straight (horizontal). His head is very large, μακροκεφαλος. He was in his youth slender; but, since these twenty years and more past, he grew very plump, so that now (1680) he is abdomine tardus. This last March 1679-80 I persuaded him to sit for his picture to Mr. Logan the graver, whom I forthwith went for myselfe; and he drewe it just before his going into Ireland, and 'tis very like him. But about 1659, he had a picture in miniature drawne by his friend and mine, Mr. Samuel Cowper (prince of limners of his age), one of the likest that ever he drew. He is a person of admirable inventive head and practicall parts.'

It has been seen that in the letter to Lord Anglesea, written