Did you ever see a picture or painting of the Lady William Russell, the duke’s brother’s wife? that sort of face was perfect for a woman. If the eyebrows of a man are straight, and come nearly together, that is nothing; but, if they form an arch, it is always a sign of natural hum [melancholy or gloominess] in character. Never can such a one be contented or happy. Look at little Adams and General Taylor—how sincere are their black eyebrows!
Don’t make a mistake—wrinkles of age are not the wrinkles of youth, of which I am speaking. One line is not called a wrinkle. The wrinkles I speak of are found in children of seven years old when they laugh or cry.
The foot should be hollow and not flat. Club-feet stand good with all men and women. Legs that kick up dust when they walk, or a heavy walk, are bad. Stumpy hands are not good. Very white skin is not good; the yellow-white is better, and the veins should appear in the arms and wrists. An offensive, snapping voice, and awkward, snatching fingers, are bad; as is affectation of all sorts—bad teeth, unclean tongue and mouth, and bad smells about the person. Shun dry, crabbed dispositions, masked with smiles and gentleness; as also the officious and fidgety, the curious and intriguing, the discontented, and those with no feeling, or feeling false taught.
[Not signed.]
To this letter is appended a page of Arabic, written in English characters, which Lady Hester considered would be intelligible to me, accustomed as I was to her manner of speaking that language: but it is questionable whether any other person, however well acquainted with Arabic, would be able to make out her meaning. I shall beg leave, therefore, to omit the whole passage.
Lady Hester Stanhope to Dr. ——.
Djoun, Jan. 7, 1827.
Besides this, there is a letter addressed to Grosvenor Square, and one to the Strand. Do not own any of the three from me until you have read them all over, and made notes of what concerns me and my affairs. Communicate everything, as I desire you, to B., to Aug., and not to any one else at present, unless ordered by him.
Say not a word to X. until all is settled, one way or another. Then, before B., ask him these questions: Did not you say you had been the travelling-companion to B.’s son W., and had been like a child of the family?—Did not you show a present from Aug., saying, in case of accidents, that was a passport partout, and that money would be given you, if required, when that was seen?—Did not you show a paper, in a red box, as your grand credentials from the house of Sharka and Co.?—Did not you give a good reason for not being the bearer of private letters from Aug., B., and others?—Did not you say that all were mere dunces in comparison with Kokub? But all is trick. The poor devil, I believe, was given carte blanche to lie, provided he could spy—perhaps from another quarter?