Page:The Early Kings of Norway.djvu/230

 220 THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX. of what in modem speecli is called humbug. NotHng hypocritical, foolish or untrue can find harbour in this man; a pure, and mainly silent, tenderness of affection is in him, touches of genial humour are not wanting under his severe austerity ; an occasional growl of sarcastic indignation against malfeasance, falsity, and stupidity; indeed secretly an extensive fund of that disposition, kept mainly silent, though inwardly in daily exercise ; a most clear-cut, hardy, distinct and effective man ; fearing God and without any other fear. Of all this you in vain search for the smallest trace in this poor Icon of Beza's. No feature of a Scottish man traceable there, nor indeed, you would say, of any man at all ; an entirely insipid, expression- less individuality, more like the wooden Figure-head of a ship than a living and working man ; highly un- acceptable to every physiognomic reader and knower of Johannes Cnoxits CHfforcliensis Scofiis. Under these circumstances it is not a surprise, and is almost a consolation, to find that Beza has as little knowledge of Knox's biography as of his natural face. Nothing here, or hardly anything but a blotch of ignorant confusion- The year of Knox's birth is