Page:The Marquess of Hastings, K.G..djvu/47

Rh in complexion, with a stately figure and an impressive and dignified bearing. He had the reputation of being in his day 'the ugliest man in England'; but his manner was happy and genial, his politeness true and genuine, and his address engaging, so that a general charm pervaded his features, and relieved them of the disqualification which nature had inflicted. In spite of his 'ugliness' he was a favourite subject of all the best artists of the day, and many portraits of him exist, painted by Reynolds, Gainsborough, Lawrence, &c.

In his personal relations with others he was generous and affable; in his domestic circle he was affectionate and warm-hearted. General Doyle, who served under him and who knew him well, makes the following comments upon his character : —

'No man possessed in a higher degree the happy but rare faculty of attaching to him all who came within the sphere of his command. When they saw their general take upon himself the blame of any failure in the execution of his plans (provided it did not arise from want of zeal or courage), and where it succeeded giving the whole credit to those he employed, every man found himself safe; an unlimited confidence infused itself into all ranks, and his army became irresistible. Never was there a man of whom it could be more truly said, "Self was the only being seemed forgot!"'

The excess of his generosity, not unmixed with a fondness of display, led to unbounded extravagance, which, wasting a large private fortune, crippled his resources in his declining years. Nor is it impro-