XIV 
AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF 
six feet high, all but half an inch. On looking at 
myself in the glass, I can see at once that my face 
is any think but comely : continual exposure to the 
sun, and to the rains of the tropics, has furrowed it 
in places, and given it a tint, which neither Row- 
land's Kalydor, nor all the cosmetics on Belinda's 
toilette, would ever be able to remove. My hair, 
which I wear very short, was once of a shade 
betwixt brown and black : it has now the appear- 
ance as though it had passed the night exposed to a 
November hoarfrost. I cannot boast of any great 
strength of arm ; but my legs, probably by much 
walking, and by frequently ascending trees, have 
acquired vast muscular power : so that, on taking a 
view of me from top to toe, you would say that the 
upper part of Tithonus has been placed upon the 
lower part of Ajax. Or to speak zoologically, were 
I exhibited for show at a horse fair^ some learned 
jockey would exclaim, he is half Rosinante, half 
Bucephalus. 
I have preferred to give this short description of 
myself by the pen, rather than to have a drawing 
taken by the pencil, as I have a great repugnance 
to sit to an artist ; although I once did sit to the 
late Mr. Peale of Philadelphia, and he kept my 
portrait for his museum. Moreover, by giving 
this description of myself, it will prevent all chance 
in future, of the nondescript's* portrait in the 
Wanderings being taken for my own. 
* A late worthy baronet in the North Riding of Yorkshire, having 
taken up the Wanderings, and examined the representation of the nonde- 
script with minute attention, " Dear me!" said he, as he showed the 
engraving to his surrounding company, *' what a very extraordinary look- 
ing man Mr. W^aterton must be ! " 
