Page:Life of Napoleon Buonaparte.pdf/23

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air bore little marks of the attentions of the toilet. The shape of the countenance approached more than is usual in the human race to a square. His eyes were grey, and full of expression, the pupils rather large, and the eye-brows not very strongly marked. The brow and upper part of the countenance was rather of a stern character. His nose and mouth were beautifully formed. The upper lip was very short. The teeth were indifferent, but were little shown in speaking. His smile assessed uncommon sweetness, and is stated to have been irresistible. The complexion was a clear olive, otherwise in general colourless. The prevailing character of his countenance was grave, even to melancholy, but without any signs of severity or violence. After death, the placidity and dignity of expression which continued to occupy the features, rendered them eminently beautiful, and the admiration of all who looked on them.

His personal and private character, was decidedly amiable, excepting in one particular His temper, when he received, or thought he received, provocation, especially if of a personal character, was men warm and vindictive. He was, however, placable in the case even of his enemies, providing that they submitted to his mercy; but he had not that species of generosity, which respects the sincerity of a manly and fair opponent. On the other hand, no one was a more literal rewarder of the attachment of his friends. He was an excellent husband, a kind relation, and, unless when state policy, intervened, a most affectionate brother.

There was gentleness, and even softness, in his character. He was affected when he rode over the fields of battle, which his ambition had strewed with the dead and the dying, and seemed not only