The Placer herald., 1857-08-08
Gilbert Stuart.

times John Bull exhibits so remarkable a
development of this trait, we must conclude
that Jonathan and John are at least cousins.
A good anecdote is related of Gilbert Stuart,
celebrated American portrait painter, whose
replies puzzled the inquisitiveness of his Eng
lish travelling companions in their attempts
to find out bis calling.
On one occasion, Stuart was travelling in
a stage-coach, in England, with some gentle
men who were strangers to him, but all OF
whom were sociable and full of animation.
His brilliant conversational powers attracted
much attention, and bis companions became
DESTROYS to know who and what he was.
They asked many roupdabopt ouestions TO
find out his calling or profession. Mr. Stuart
answered with grave face and serious tone
that he sometimes dressed gentlemen's and
ladies' hair.
"You are hair-dresser, then," remarked
one OF his companions, inquiringly.
"What!" said he, "do you take me for a
barber1"
II beg your pardon, sir, but inferred it
from what you said. If mistook you, may
l take the liberty to ask what you are then9"
"Why, sometimes brush gentleman's
coat or hat, or sometimes adjust his cravat"
"Oh, you are valet, then, to some noble
man."
"A valet! Indeed, sir, 1 am not. I am
not servant. To be sure I make coats and
waistcoats for gentlemen"
"Oh, you are tailor!''
"Taior! DO l look like tailor! ! as
sure you never handled goose other than
roasted one"
BY this time the passengers were all in a
roar, and one Of them exclaimed, "What are
you, then!"
81 tell you," said Stuart "Be assured all
l have said is literally true l dress hair,
brush hats and coats, adjust cravat, and
make coats waistcoats and breeches, and
likewise boots aad shoes, at your SERVICE"
80 no! boot and shoemaker, after ALL"
"Guess again, gentlemen. never hapdl-
ed boot or shoe but for my own feet and
legs; vet all have told you is true"
ave may as we'll give up gessing, then"
remarked one Of the party,
After checking his laughter, he said to
them, "Now, gentlemen, will not play the
fool with you, but will tell you, upon my
honor as gentleman, bona ,fde, my pro-
fession-I get my bread by making faces"
lie then screwed his countenance and twist
ed the lineamcnts of his visage in manner
such as Charles Foote or Charles Mathews
might have envied.
When bis companions, after loud peals of
laughter, had composed themselves, each
took credit to himself for having all the while
suspected that the gentleman belonged to
the theatre, and now they all knew that he
must lie comedian by profession. But, to
their astonishment, he assured them that he
never was on the stage, and very rarely saw
the inside of theatre. His companions now
looked at him and at each other with aston
ishment.
Before parting, Stuart said to his COM
panions, Gentlemen, you will find that all
| have said of my various employments is
comprised of these few words-I am por
trait painter. If you will call at John Pal
mer's, York Buildings, London, shall be
ready and willing to brush your coat or hat,
dress your hair la mode, supply you, if in
need, with wig of any fashion or dimen-
sions accommodate you with boots or shoes,
give you ruffles or crayats, and make faces
for you."
On parting with him at the inn, they beg
ged leaye to inquire in what part Of England
he vas born. He replied, Il was not born
in England, Wales, ireland OF scptland."-
Here was another puzzle for them.
"Where thenl" was their eager inquiry.
81 was born at Narragansett," he replied
"Where is that!'
'Six miles from Pottawoone and ten miles
Dan~ooouoch
west of Connecticut, and not far from the
spot where the famous battle with the Pc.
quots was fought"
"1n what part of the East Indies was that,
sir?" was the response.
EAST Indies! my dear sir. 1t is in the
State Of Rhode Island, between Massachusetts
and the Connecticut riyer.'
This was all Greek to bis companions, and
he left them to study new esaoA in geo.
graphy; afording another instance Of the
ignorance respecting men of genius, whose
yernacNIar tongue is the same as that Of
Bacon, Newton, Milton, tpckke Shakespeare
and Pope. 7
A COMMON ERKoR.-All the newspapers,
and we believe, the orators, says the San
Joaquin Republican, speak of the 4th of July,
1857, As the eighty.6rst anniversary of Ame-
rican Independence. This is an error tho
more ipexcusable because so common and %
glaring. The first anniversary Of Indepep.
dence occurred on the 4th of July, l777-
consequently. tho Fourth jHst past was the
elghtieth anniversary.
The Republican itself falls into an "error
tho more ;nexcusable because so COMMON
and glaring." The 4th Of July, l777 being
tho first anniversary Of Independence, con-
sanuantlp fhA 4th of Inlv 1857 was tho