Allston, in his eulogium on Stuart, says, "The narratives and anecdotes with which his knowledge of men and the world had stored his memory, and which he often gave with great beauty and dramatic effect, were not unfrequently employed by Mr. Stuart in a way, and with an address peculiar to himself. From this store it was his custom to draw largely, while occupied with his sitters, apparently for their amusement; but his object was rather, by thus banishing all restraint, to call forth, if possible, some involuntary traits of natural character. It was this which enabled him to animate his canvass, not with the appearance of mere general life, but with that peculiar, distinctive life which separates the humblest individual from his kind. He seemed to dive into the thoughts of men—for they were made to rise and speak on the surface."
STUART'S CONVERSATIONAL POWERS.
Dr. Waterhouse relates the following anecdote of
Stuart. He was traveling one day in an English
stage-coach, with some gentlemen who were all
strangers, and at first rather taciturn, but he soon
engaged them in the most animated conversation.
At length they arrived at their place of destination,
and stopped at an inn to dine. "His companions,"
says the Doctor, "were very desirous to know who
and what he was, for whatever Dr. Franklin may
have said a half century ago about the question-asking
propensity of his countrymen, I never noticed
