, 1880-08-22

| 1t Is probably the title OF "Superb" " WHICH
Mr.. Dan Dougherty bestowed upon Gen.
Hancock in the Cincinnati Convention, and
the reputation which the Democratic candl-
date for President enjoys for personal mag
nifcenco, which have led to some discussion
! of the influence OF "good looks" upon a
candidacy for Office. At all events, writer
| in the Boston Traveller bus traced back the
| personal appearance of tho various Presi-'
dcnts,-that OF the later ones from his own
observation, and that Of the earlier ones from
memoirs Of their times. The sum Of his re-
flections would seem to be unfavorable to
Gen. Hancock's chances Of success.-though
the writer does not draw this conclusion,-
since the line of Presidents has not" deYel-
oped any strikingly handsome mcn, but has
been prolific In plain and awkward men.
The popular notion Of Washlngton's per-
sonal appearance. drawn from Stuart's por-
trait, seems to be somewhat erroneous.
Josiah Quincy, as reported by his son, said
that this portrait was "highIy idealized"
and mot strong resemblance of tho
actual man III tho flesh" Tho same autho rity
spoke Of Washington as having AZ the air Of a
Country gentleman, q little stiff In his person,
not little formal III his manners, not par
tlcularly at ease in the presence Of stran-
gers" Mrs. Quincy, 1t should be said, was
more enthusiastic in her recollections Of
Washington. "John Adams,'' as described
by his grandson, twas not tall, but of astout
well-knit frame. denotmg vigor and long
lie, yet, as be grew old, inclning more and
more to corpulence." Jefferson was very tall
aud in early life very slim, with good but
not handsome face" Madison was man
Of ':small stature. rather protuberant person
in front, and small lower liubs." Monroe is
described as " Insignificant" John Quincy
Adams was small man, "with stoop.'
Jackson was::' thin and spare" with face
described as ivan and thin." Van Bufen's
chief personal characteristic was his bald
Aeadedness, which rarely enhances a
nuns appearance, Pierce was q man
who "would not have been noted for
good looks in a crowd" Buchanan had
face described as having "a semi
simpering expression that did not match
Cell with his portly proportions" Haw-
thorne said there was "a kind Of rusticity
about him." Lincoln was ungainlv in
figure and homely in countenance to the
short and plain-lookiug man. The "accl-
dental" Presidents seem to have been bet
ter-looking men than those elected directly
by the people. Fillmore was what will
always be called q handsome man, and so
was Tyler. johnson was by no means bad
looking, though somewhat coarse iu appear
ance Hayes Is substantialiooking man,
but far from handsome.
From all this it would appear that fine
looking personal appearance is but a small
factor III the making of'Presideuts. Perhaps
the same Is true Of the entire official class.
though such generalization would certainly
be resented by majority Of those
now III office and Of those who
have held Office The dignity Of Off
cial position and the Importance given
to 1t as rule are apt to give the tenant a
high sense Of his personality, which would
include his "looks"; but, as a matter of |
fact, "good looks" count for very little In |
securing votes. It might be different il |
women were voters and the men candidates; !
it certainly would be different if women ran |
for Office and the votes were furnished BY |
the men. But the average man has q sort |
OF prejudice against beauty i'll his own sex, |
however much he may admire it in the op- |
posit sex. This bias may be born Of envy, or !
1t may be the underlined result that striking |
]y handsome men rarely have mental facul~ |
lies to correspond. It is probable, therefore,
that the title of "superb" " will not attract |
any considerable number OF votes to Gen.
Hancock at the critical points. It Is so-
briquet that would not be applied to Gen.
Garfield. who would naturally be designated |
as wholesome and intellectual-lookIng, |
rather than 4 superb" man.