Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-08
PERSONAL APPEARANCE AND
CHARACTER OF MR.. LINCOLN.
The Chicago Press and Trabune SAYS =


Ten thousand inquiries will be made as to
the looks, the habits, tastes, and other
characteristics of Honest Old Abe We an
ticipate few of of them.
Mr.. Lincoln stands six feet four inches
high in his stockings. His frame is not
muscular, but gaunt and wiry; his arms are
long, but not unreasonably 50 for person
OF his height; his lower limbs are not dis
proportioned to bis body. In walking, his
galt though firm is never brisk. He steps
slowly and deliberately, almost always with
hls head inclined forward and his hands
clasped behind his back. In matters of dress,
ne IS by no means precise. Always clean,
ne is never fashionable; he is careless, but
hot slovenly. In manrer he is remarkably
cordial. and, at the same time, simple. His
pollteness is always sincere, bnt never elab-
crate and oppressive. A warm shake of the
hand, and warmer smile ofrecognition, are
his methods of greeting his friends. At rest,
his ieatores, though those Of a man of mark,
are not such as belong to handsome man;
but when his fine dark grey eyes are lighted
up by any emotion, and his features begin
their play, he would be chosen from among
a crowd as one who had in him not only the
kindly sentiments which woman loves, but
the heavier IN etal of which full-grown men
and Presidents are made. His hair is black,
and, though thin, is wiry. His head sits
well on his shoulders, but beyond that, it
defes description. 1t nearer resem bles that
of Clay than Webster; but it is unlike eth
er. 1t is very large, and, phrenolOgically,
well proportioned, betokening power in all
its developments. A slightly roman nose,
a wide cut mouth, and dark mplezion,
with the appearance of having been weather
beaten, complete the description.
In personal habits, Mr.. Lincoln is as simple
as a child. He loves good dinner, and eats
with the appetite which goes with great
brain; but his food is plain and nutritious.
He never drinks intoxicating liquors of any
sort, not even glass of wine. He is not
addicted to tobacco in any of its shapes. He
never was accused Of a licentious act in all
his life. lie never uses profane language
lie never CANDLES; we doubt if he ever in
dulged in game of chance. He is particu
larly cautious about mourning pecunlary
Obligations for any purpose whatever; and
in debt is never content until the score is
discharged. We presume he owes no man
dollar. lie never speculates. The rage for
the sudden acquisition OF wealth never took
hold of him. His gains from his profession
have been moderate, but sufficient for hls
purposes While others have dreamed of gold
he has been in pursuit of knowledge. In all
his dealings be has the reputation of being
generous but exact, aud, above all, vigorously
honest He would be bold man who would
say that Abraham Lincoln ever wronged any
one out of cent, or ever spent dollar that
he had not honestly earned. His struggles
in early life, have made him careful of money,
but his generosity with his own is proverbial.
He is a regular attendant upon religious
worship. and though not a communicate, is
a pew holder and liberal supporter of the
Presbyterian Church in Springfield, to which
Mrs. Lincoln belongs. He is scrupulous
teller of the truth-too exact in his notions
to suit the atmosphere of Washington, as it
Is now. His enemies may say that he tells
Black Republican lies but no man ever
charged that, in Il professional capacity, or
as citizen dealing with his neighbors, he
would depart from the scriptuTal command.
At home he lives like a gentleman Of modest
means and simple tastes. a good-sized house
of wood, simply but tasteiully furnished,
surrounded by trees and flowers, is his own,
and there he lives, at peace with himself,
the idol Of his family, and for his honesty,
ability and patriotism, the admiration of his
counuymen.
The DEuoCRAriC PARTY-A Washington