Page:The writings of Henry David Thoreau, v5.djvu/17

 NOTE ON THE PORTRAIT The portrait which prefaces this volume is from a daguerreotype taken by Moxham, in Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. W. E. Channing has given a description of Thoreau when in his vigor, which may be read as an accompaniment to this portrait. spare, with limbs that were rather longer than usual, or of which he made a longer use. His face, once seen, could not be forgotten. The features were quite marked : the nose aquiline or very Roman, like oue of the portraits of CsBsar (more like a beak, as was said) ; large, over- hanging brows above the deepest-set blue eyes that could be seen, in certain lights, and in others gray, — eyes ex- pressive of aU kinds of feeling, but never weak or near- sighted ; the forehead not unusually broad or high, full of concentrated energy and purpose ; the mouth with prominent lips, pursed up with meaning and thought when silent, and giving out when open a stream of the most varied and unusual and instructive sayings. His hair was a dark brown, exceedingly abundant, fine, and soft ; and for several years he wore a comely beard. His whole figure had an active earnestness, as if he bad no moment to waste. The clenched hand betokened purpose. In walking, he made a short cut if he could, and when sitting in the shade or by the wall-side seemed merely the clearer to look forward into the next piece of activity. Even in the boat he had a wary, transitory air, bis eyes on the outlook — perhaps there might be ducks, or the Blondin turtle, or an otter, or sparrow.''
 * ^ In height, he was about the average ; in his build,