The daily gazette., 1880-07-09
A PEN PICTURE OF HANCOCK

"Gath'' (George Alfred, Townsend),
who visited Mai. Gen. Hancock at his |
headquarters ON Governors Island day |
or two ago, draws the following pen |
picture Of our next President:
He wore, as is obligatory on such oc-
a rich blue suit, full epaulets of
gold and itch belt and side arms, and on
his nose was a pair OF common horn
eyeglasses. His mustache was trimmed
French or Spanish style, and with his
rather heavy throat, small, narrow ears
and level military eyes, l thought had
seen pictures like him of modern French
marshals and generals, such as Bszine.
The character OF his features indicates
Just what he has been-a well concen-
trated military officer, of original good
health, of whom the discipline of West
Point bad brou .ht out at his handsom
est, till under the labors of real warfare
and the relaxations and hospitalilies of
peace, increasing age had given more
fluid and flesh TO his body, and he was
nov rather portly man, though full
everywhere and not with paunch. His
sbouldes and figures are very straight;
his eyes are those of observation and
dispatch without much incidental ex-
pressoa, such as wou'd follow from
much reading or reflection, or from a
quarrelsome nature, or excessive ambi-
ton. Nature and his parents gave him
good health; he gave himself a wife
early; his employment was TO his liking,
and therefore his life, Notwithstanding
its sufferings and successes, has been
congenial. He has forehead by no
means high, yet modelled on the lines of
a head of action, the faculties being COM
pressed there, though in harmony. HIS
blue eyes are guarded by pair OF slffish
lashes, which, without beirg soft Ur beau
tiful, give fine regularity to this part Of
the face coupled with decision and some
times sternness. He seldom smiles AMI
never laughs. He seems to measure
what is going on with these lashes plac-
idly and when they rise aud open more
than usual the mettle in the man then is
seen TO be formidable. He has straight
nose, not particularly striking or large, a
chin well rounded but not heavy, though
The CHOPS AID throat come up to its as
sistance and show the bull dog lying
about the jaws and neck. His hair Is
yet smooth and of light brown color, a
little warmer than sandy, and some gray
now appears both there and in the goatee
and mustache, but not enough to ex
punge the phantom of the young officer
at The outbreak of the rebellion, who
bounded from a quartermaster's captain
to be brigadier general Of volunteers.
The bodily parts of Hancock are equally
harmonious; it is easy to be seen how
his fine, straight fgure-neither rigid nor
plant, but soIid--seated on horse and
with his cool but watchful face dominat-
ing il, would look to be one OF the spir-
its of battle. The army, indeed, has
taken healthy subject from nature and
mod lied 1t to her uses and history.
With a warmish LatHre but cool hab-
its the man has never lost sight either OF
his profession or his responsibility, and,
| may add, his self-respect, and they
have finally made out of good, beety
son of Pennsylvania a soldier and a gen
tleman. Men with perhaps more mill
tary talent have yielded to the fascina-
tions of conviviality, or to rivalry. g ssip
or rancors, and have failed OF their great
promise, while this man, who was only
e-looking officer for years, gravita-
ting toward family life, restraining his
| ardOr in any particular uirection, anu
always making the best, if not the most,
of battle opportunity, has come to be
the leading major general IN the army
and without a stain, so that he was eli
gble for a great party as lis presidential
candidate. Ii he had allowed one enc
my to disturb his head, one appetite 10
ontgrow itself, we should never have
heard his name at the head of nation
al ticket. Though his name is Winfield
Scott lie has avoided the egotisms and
complacency Of that prodigious old man.
by no means negative persona-c, Han
cock has yet placed obedience higher
than genius, and this has kept him hon
saying anything, which might annoy hi:
party. vas talking to one OF his stat
officers moment yesterday, who said
"They may talk personalities as much
as they like; they will find no stigma oil
Ha cock. lie has been pure man il
his family and military life, and thos'
/ are the only two lives he has ied." Tht
same officer remarked: 81 think boil
nominations have been good ones in thi
respect at least, that they have broker
two old machines to pieces. 1t wa
time for new dispensations in both par
|