And the same seeming want of respect for his
audience, or, at any rate, the same disregard for what I believe
he considers the troublesome forms of politeness, is visible at the
commencement of his lecture. Having ascended his desk, he gives a
hearty rub to his hands, and plunges at once into his subject. He
reads very closely, which, indeed, must be expected, considering
the nature of the topics which he undertakes to discuss. He is not
prodigal of gesture with his arms or body; but there is something in
his eye and countenance which indicates great earnestness of purpose,
and the most intense interest in his subject. _You can almost fancy,
in some of his more enthusiastic and energetic moments, that you
see his inmost soul in his face_. At times, indeed very often, he so
unnaturally distorts his features, as to give to his countenance a
very unpleasant expression. On such occasions, you would imagine that
he was suddenly seized with some violent paroxysms of pain. _He is
one of the most ungraceful speakers I have ever heard address a public
assemblage of persons_.
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