" (13)
Washington, who was an Englishman in his lineage, was also one in
his shyness. He is described incidentally by Mr. Josiah Quincy,
as "a little stiff in his person, not a little formal in his
manner, and not particularly at ease in the presence of strangers.
He had the air of a country gentleman not accustomed to mix much
in society, perfectly polite, but not easy in his address and
conversation, and not graceful in his movements."
Although we are not accustomed to think of modern Americans as
shy, the most distinguished American author of our time was
probably the shyest of men. Nathaniel Hawthorne was shy to the
extent of morbidity. We have observed him, when a stranger
entered the room where he was, turn his back for the purpose of
avoiding recognition. And yet, when the crust of his shyness was
broken, no man could be more cordial and genial than Hawthorne.
We observe a remark in one of Hawthorne's lately-published
'Notebooks,' (14) that on one occasion he met Mr. Helps in society,
and found him "cold." And doubtless Mr. Helps thought the same of
him. It was only the case of two shy men meeting, each thinking
the other stiff and reserved, and parting before their mutual film
of shyness had been removed by a little friendly intercourse.
Before pronouncing a hasty judgment in such cases, it would be
well to bear in mind the motto of Helvetius, which Bentham says
proved such a real treasure to him: "POUR AIMER LES HOMMES, IL
FAUT ATTENDRE PEU.
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