STUART’S NOSE.
Reading edition
Stuart always maintained that a likeness depended more on the nose, than any other feature, and in proof of his theory, he would put his thumb under his own large and flexible proboscis, and turning it up, exclaim, “who would know my portrait with such a nose as this?” Therefore, he is said to have generally painted a likeness, before putting in the eyes. On one occasion, a pert young coxcomb, who was sitting for his portrait, stole a glance at the canvass and exclaimed, “why, it has no eyes!” Stuart coolly observed, “It is not nine days old yet,” referring of course to the time when a puppy first opens its eyes.