American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-08-02
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Gilbert Stuart, the Portrait Painter.

Gilbert Stuart, the Portrait Painter.
The Yankees have become notorious
for their question asking propensity aud
yet John Bull exhibits 50 remarkable a
development of this trait, we must
conclude that Jonathan aud John are
at least cousins. A good anccGote is
related of Gilbert Stuart, celebrated
American portrait painter, whose replies
pnZzled the inquiSitiveucss of his Eng
iish travelling companions in their at
,cmpts to find out his calling,
On one occasion Stuart was travelling
i'll large coach, in England with some
gentlemen who were strangers, but al
Of whom were sociabIe and foil Of AMI
nation. His brilliant conversational
powers attracted attention, and his com
paniDns became DESTROYS TO know who
and what ho was. They asked many
roundabout questions to find ont his cal
ling or profession. Mr.. Stuart answer.
ed with gravo face and serious tone,
that he sometimes dressed geutIemen,
and ladies' hair.
"You arc hair dresser, thcn," re.
marked one Of his companions, inqui-
linsly.
"What," said he, edo you take me
for bar Der -
81 beg your pardon, sir, but infer
red it from what you said. fl mistooll
you, may take the liberty to ask you
what you do, then"
IL sometimes brush a gen,leman's
coat or hat, and sometimes adjust era.
vat"
On, you are valet, then to some no.
bleman.'
A valet! indeed, Sir, am not SER
>aut--io be sure mako coats and
waistcoatsjfor gentlemen"
con, you are tailor!'
"Tailor! Do look like tailorl
assure you never handled goose 9TH
CT than roasted one"
BY this time the passengers were in
roar; and one of them exclaimed
"What are you then -
"I'll tell yoo," said Stuart. BE as.
snrcd all | have lsaid is literally true.
| dress hair, brush hats and coats, adjust
cravat, and make coats, waistcoats and
brecchcs, and likewise boots and shoes
at your. services
"Oho, boot and shoemaker, after ALL"
Guess again, gentlemen. | never
handled boot or shoe but of my own
fee. and legs; yet all have told you
is strictly trne."
'Wo may as well give up our CUES
sing them" remarked one of the party.
After checking his laughter he said
o thom very gravely, "Now,g gentlemen
[ will not play the fool, with you, but
will tell you on my honor as gentle.
man, bona lidc my profession. Igetmy
bread By making Jaccs."
He then screwed his conntonapco,
and twisted tho liniments Of his visagc
n a manner such az Samuel Fooie or
Charles Mathews might have envied.
When his companions, after load pcaIs
Df laughter, had composed themselves,
each took credit TO himself for having
IL the while suspected the gentleman
belonged to tho theatre; and now
hoy all knew that he must be com,
nodian by profession. But to their ut
:cr surprise, no assured them that no
was never Oh tho stage and very rarely
Jaw the inside Of a theatre. His com.
1aui0ns now looked at him and each 9TH
. in astonishment.
Before parting, Stuart said to his com
-InionS:
"Gentlemon, you will find that all
have said Of my various cmploymeHIs
comprised in these few words: Tam
. portrait painter. If you will call at
hn Palmer's York buildings, LonGon
ahall be ready and willing to brush
y ur coat or hat, dress your hair, supply
u if in need with wig Of any fushion
-. dimensions, accom- moda'o you with
OTIS or shoes, give you ruitlI0s or era
'a;s, and make faces foryou."
On parting with him at the inn, they
.cgged leave To inquire in what part
f England he was born.
He replied, Il was not born in Eng.
land, Wales, ireland or Scotland"
Horo was another puzzlcr for them
"Whoro then - was their eager inquiry.
II was born at Narragansct,," was
his reply.
"Whore's that :"
"Six miles from POttaw oonc, and ton
miles from Poppasquash, and about four
milcs west of Connecticut, aud not far
from the spot whero tho famous battle
with the Pequots was fought"
"I0 what part Of tho East Indies is
~, sirl" was the response.
East Indies, my dear sir 1t is in
e State of Rhode Island, between
Massachusetts, aud the Connecticut Riy-