Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1857-03-05


is told Of Gilbert Stuart, celebrated American
painter, whose replies puzzled the inquisitive-
ness Of his English travelling companions in their
attempts to find out his calling.
On one occasion, Stuart wus travelling in a
stage coach in England, with some gentlemen
who were strangers to him, but all Of whom were
sociable and full OF animation. His brilliant
conversational power attracted much attention,
and his companions became anxious to know
who and what he was. They asked many round
about Questions, to find out his calling or pro.
fession. Mr.. Stuart answered, with grave face
and serious tone, thst he sometimes dressed
getlemen's and ladies' hair.
" on are hair dresser, then" remarked one
of his companions, inquiringly.
" What" said he, $ do You take mo for u
barber r.
81 beg your pardon, sir, but | inferred il
from what You said. If l mistook you may
take the liberty to ask you what you are theni''
"Why, sometimes brush gentleman's coat
or hat, and sometimes adjust II cravat.'
"Oh, you are valet, then, to some noble
man."
ga valet Indeed, sir, am not servant.
To be sure make coats and waist-coats for
gentlemen"
'sOh you are tailor 20
"Tailorl DO look like tailor3 assure
you never handled the goose, other than a
roasted one"
and one of them exclaimed, "What are you,
then1n
81 tell YOU" said Stuart, s'Be assured all
have said is literally truo. dress hair, brush
hats and coats, adjust cravat, and make coats,
waist coats and breeches, and likewise boots
and shoes, at your SERVICE"
80 h! then, boot and shoe maker, after
ALL"
"Guess again, gentlemen. never handled
boot or sho e but for my own feet and legs yet
all | have told you is true"
eve may as well give up guessing, them
remarked one Of the party.
After checking his laughter, he said to them
very grlvely, Snow, gentlemen, will not play
| the fool with you, but will tell YOU upon nv
honor as gentleman, bona fie, my profession
Il get my bread by making faces" HI then
screwed his countenlnce, and twisted the liu5a.
lnentS OF MS yiSage in Il manner such as Samuel
Foote or Charles Matthews might havo enYied.
when ms companions, after loud peals Of
laughter, had composed themselves, each took
credit to himself for having all the while sus-
pocted that the gentleman belonged to the the
atre' and now they all knew that he must be
comedian by profession. But to their utter as.
constituent, he assured them that hu never was
Oh tho stage, and very rarely saw tho inside Of
amy theatre. His companions now looked at
MN, and On each other, with establishment.
Before parting, Stuart said to his companions
my various employments is comprised in these
t9w words-l am portrait painter. Ii you will
call at John Pelmdr's York buildings, London,
! shall be willing to brush your coat, or hat,
dress your haird la mode, supply you il in need
with wig of any fashion or dimensions, ac-
commodate you with boots or shoes, give you
rnthes or cravats, and make faces for you.''
On parting with him at the inn, thoy begged
leave to inquire in what part OF England no was
born. He replied, 81 vas not born in England.
Wales, ireland orScotand." Here was another
puzzle for them ''where then, y was their eager
inquiry.
81 was born at Narrag was his re-
ply.
Where's that2'
"Six miles from Pottawoone, and ten miles
from Poppasquash, aud about five miles west Of
Connecticut, and not far from the spot where
the famous battle of the Pequots was fought"
SIN what part OF tho East Indies is that STRIP
was the response.
East Indies, my dear sir! it is in tho State of
Rhode Island, between the Massachusetts and
Connecticut river"
This was all Greek to his companions and he
lett them to study new lesson in geography
aiiording another instance Of the Ignorance res
pceting mcn ol genius, whose vefnucular tongue
IS the same as that Of Bacon, Newton, Locke,
Shakespeare, Milton and Pope.