the mouth large, the lips exquisitely sensitive, the gray eyes set deeply
under massive brows, and full of a melancholy and pleading tenderness,
which attracted attention to his face at once, as the face of one
who had thought and suffered much.

"His walk was quick and nervous, with an energy in it that betokened
decision of character, but ill sustained by the stammering speech;
for in society he was the shyest and most undemonstrative of men.
To a single friend whom he trusted, he would pour out his inmost heart;
but let two or three be gathered together, above all, introduce a stranger,
and he instantly became a quiet, unobtrusive listener,
though never a moody or uncongenial one!

"Among men of letters, he was always esteemed as a most sympathetic companion;
timid, reserved, unready, if taken by surprise, but highly cultivated,
and still more highly endowed.

"The key to his social character was to be found in the feminine gentleness
of his temperament. He shrank from noisy debate, and the wordy
clash of argument, as from a blow. It stunned and bewildered him,
and left him, in the m|^el|/ee, alike incapable of defense or attack.
And yet, when some burly protagonist would thrust himself too rudely into
the ring, and try to bear down opposition by sheer vehemence of declamation,
from the corner where he sat ensconced in unregarded silence,
HE WOULD SUDDENLY SLING OUT SOME SHARP, SWIFT PEBBLE OF THOUGHT,
which he had been slowly rounding, and smite with an aim so keen and true
as rarely failed to bring down the boastful Anakim!"

In Charleston, as a first effort in life, for a brief period Timrod attempted
the law, but found that jealous mistress unsuited to his life work,