The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1881-08-27
CHIEF MAGISTRATES.
Tho Personal Appearances OF the Men
Who Have Occupied the Presi-
dental Chair.

The Presidents of the United States
were generally men Of good personal
appearance. The extremes in point Of
stature were in Polk and Lincoln-thc
latter Of whom was six feet four, while
the former was little more than five feet
three. Van Buren, was alsoa small man.
The first four were men Of much digni-
ty. Concerning Washington nothing
need be added on this point. He was
the best ideal of manly beauty, even in
his latter days, and when Stuart under
took to paint bis portrait, the artist was
SO overcome by the majesty Of his patron
that at first he was unable to proceed
with his task. John Adams lacked
Washington'snob! stature and grandeur
Of micn, but he was man of much dig
nifty. Jefferson was n noble Of personel
tall, wcll-built. and of imposing APP
pcarancc. Madison had merely re-
spectacle look, and being dressed in
black, presented much the appearance
of clergyman. Monroe and Washing.
ton were the only Presidents that served
in the field during the revolution. They
were together at Trenton, where Mon
roe was a Lieutenant and received ball
which he carried through life. He was
the last Of the revolutionary Presidents,
and wore the cooked hat and Contincn-
tai uniform which become him TO 4 re.
markablc degree. John Quincy Adams,
like his father, was stout, thick set, and
deficient i'll point OF stature. Jackson
was tall and gaunt, with bris,ling hair,
high cheek bones, and 4 nervous but
defiant countenance. Van Buren, lacked
personal dignity in every point, and in
decd was the most deficient Of all our
Presidents in physique except Polk.
Harrison was a man OF much personal
dignity. Tyler was a spare faced man,
with long thin nose, which gave him
comical appearance. Il was his sta
tion As President that won the hand Of
the rich woman, Mrs. Gardiner, rather
than any personal attraction. Polk
was as mas been said small man, with
a cold rcpuls;ve count, nance, and a
hard staring pair of eyes that were sin
gu!arly free from anything like kindly
genial lIok.
Taylor was heavy built man, with
rough visage, as might have been ex-
pected Of one whose life was passed on
the frontier. He was bred a soldier,
and loved the service. His face had a
pleasant smile at times, but was Of often
impressed with the stern character of
military life. Fillmore had alymphatic
countenance-dull, except when lit up
by business or pleasure. He was agree.
able in society and interesting in con.
versation, to a degree much beyond his
predecessors. He was Of more than
average size,. and of proportions which
suggested dignity, il not elegance
Buchanan was dull old gentleman,
whose white chokcr suggested the cleri-
cal order. His countcnance, however,
showed that he was not 4 man Of pro-
gress, and rather suggested the fossil
order Of intellect.
Lincoln was in shape the most un.
cou,h Of all the Presidents. He did
not, il is true, have the vulgar aspect Of
Andy Johnson, but there were such
ungainly manners and such length Of
limb that il was much against his per-
sonal appearance. His countenance
was suggestive Of deep thought, and an
expression Of deep melancholy gave it
an air Of refinement, but it had none Of
the artificial polish Of modern society.
Destitute Of culture, it was rich in native
grace for, as has hcen well remarked:
"Mr, Lincoln had all the instincts of a
gentleman" Andy Johnson had, rs has
been suggested, a countenance which
was essentially vulgar. The expression
did not indicate poverty or toll, but
narrowness Of mind and bitter prejudice.
He and PolL were the worst looking Of
the entire Presidential coterie. Grants
countenancc is too familiar to need CON-
ment. Though destitute Of what is
called COUTURE" it is suggestive Of
power, and also indicates kindly dis.
position. Hayes is fine looking man,
and Garfeld's countenance needs no
further reference.
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