Daily national Democrat., 1859-02-20
Henry Ward Reecher.

Mr. Beecher is frequently humorous both
in tone and expression, when he is atogher
una ware that he is so. 1t is conceded that.
great as is this orator, and noblv as
truth and earnestness are stamped on ali that
he says and does, that master as he is of ges
ture and expression, there still is lowering
about him somewhat Of the udicrous.
Certain motions he has which always in
cline one to smile The wag of his head
when he is about to clinch an argument; the
shake of his elbows and knees, when he
knows that he has you penned the eager.
ness with which he seizes upon that devoted
handkerchief when he is about to Charge"
the strength with which, as he commences
his tilt, he squeezes it Cunning his hand
palm towards his chair and back towards the
desk, leaning on knuckles and thumb, one
foot crossed over the other, and supported
upon his toe J the force with which he
thro ws it from him. as he comes forward to
close in the conflict he has waged are all
manGuvers certain to be repeated, almost
constantly, and one cannot avoid being anus
ed by seeing them 50 unconsciously, yet en-
ergetically, performed.
Although Mr. Beecher himself seldom an.
pears to be in much haste, there is always an
air of being in a hurry about his clothes and
his hair. They manifest intentions of going
forward, whether he goes or remains stand.
ing still. His neck is so short that he never
ventures standing up collar. This, proba-
bly,, in consideration for his ears.
One very remarkable singularity in his
face Is, the utter incongruity between its
front and its side views. Upon being told
he resembled Henry Ward Beecher. "a rela-
tive of that clergyman replied, laughngly,
IL know that | am said to look like him, but
It's such resemblance as sheep bears to a
h0n." Now the fact is, were that humble
minded relative of the famed Lion" a great
deal more like "sheep" than he considers
himself to be, he might still bear striking re.
semblance to his cousin, for though when he
turns full towards you, in the heat of dis
course, Mr.. Beecher frequently does present
the appearance of lion, it is next to inpos-
sible for q person of an imaginative turu Of
mind to view his profile without being strong.
ly reminded of ovine faces seen and perhaps
loved in the days and the years gone by.
When not in "a brown study" Mr. Beech.
ers manner is the most free and genial that
can be imagined, but every year seems to
render him more and more distracted. Peo-
pie are sometimes hurt and offended by his
indifference and forgetfulness of them, when
he is utterly unconcious ofall outward things,
makes his sermons in the streets, in stores
in lumber.yards, on ferry.boats, or wherever
he may chance to be. And it is plain to be
seen. that man in the midst of sermon max
ing cannot he very thoughtful of his man.
ners to those who chance to pass or pause
beside him.
1t is said that a polished and courteous
brother clergyman one day called on Mr.
Beecher, and Cd being shown into his study,
found him stretched upon the floor, from
which he made no haste to rise Il am
studying my sermon" said Mr.. Beecher, look
ing steadily and gravely in the fire which
burned before him.
On one occasion il was thought needful
that Mr.. Beecher should be waited on by
committee Of ministers, in order that they
might reassure themselves and the churches
of his sound orthodoxy When the Object of
their visit was stated-"Let us pray said
MrIBeecher nstanty-"let us pray" and the
prayer, if We mistake not, settled the matter
acknowledgement Pulpit