There was another point of resemblance
in the external being of the two, perfectly corresponding with
that of the internal, a sense of which peculiarity drew on
Byron some ridicule. I mean that it was the intention of
nature, that neither should ever grow fat, but remain a
Cassius in the commonwealth. And both these heads are taken
while they were at an early age, and so thin as to be still
beautiful. This head of Napoleon is of a stern beauty. A head
must be of a style either very stern or very chaste, to make
a deep impression on the beholder; there must be a great force
of will and withholding of resources, giving a sense of depth
below depth, which we call sternness; or else there must be
that purity, flowing as from an inexhaustible fountain through
every lineament, which drives far off or converts all baser
natures. Napoleon's head is of the first description; it is
stern, and not only so, but ruthless. Yet this ruthlessness
excites no aversion; the artist has caught its true character,
and given us here the Attila, the instrument of fate to serve
a purpose not his own. While looking on it, came full to mind
the well-known lines,--
'"Speak gently of his crimes:
Who knows, Scourge of God, but in His eyes, those crimes
Were virtues?"
His brows are tense and damp with the dews of thought.
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