The homely old copybook text so familiar to our grandmothers, “Beauty is as beauty does,” applies well to the appearance of Lincoln, and to the first impressions received by those who saw him. Paraphrasing the poet, “none knew him but to love him, none knew him but to praise.” He was like one transformed in the animation and zeal of expressing his profound sentiments of freedom, humanity and truth.
One who knew Lincoln well says, “He was one of the homeliest men ever seen when walking around, but while he was making a speech he was one of the handsomest men I have ever known.”
III. THE WIT-MAKERS AND THEIR WIT
Lincoln’s quick wit never contained any sting and he lost no friends by it. On one occasion several of his friends got into an argument about the proper proportions of the body. They could agree on their theories in all respects excepting the relative length of the legs. Lincoln listened gravely to their arguments, and, as usual, some one asked him his opinion.
“It is of course one of the most important of problems, and doubtless was a source of great anxiety to the maker of man. But, after all is said and done, it is my opinion that man’s lower limbs, in order to combine harmony and service, should be at least long enough to reach from his body to the ground.”
At another time a very unhandsome man stopped Lincoln and peered offensively into his face.
“What seems to be the matter, my friend,” inquired Lincoln.
“Well,” replied the stranger, “I have always considered it my duty if ever I came across a man uglier than myself to shoot him on the spot.”
Lincoln took his hand in friendly agreement.