Encounters
''prepossessing'' ▫ᴱᴺ｜encounter｜ENC｜20260904152658-04-•
Connoisseurs of political speaking gave Lincoln good marks, despite some reservations about his appearance. Gustave Koerner reported that at a Belleville rally in April, the other orators “outshone Lincoln in melody of voice and graceful delivery,” but that he was the strongest “in argument.” Lincoln’s “appearance was not very prepossessing,” for his “exceedingly tall and very angular form made his movements rather awkward,” and his features, especially his high cheekbones, were unpleasant to behold, said Koerner. “His complexion had no roseate hue of health, but was then rather bilious, and, when not speaking, his face seemed to be overshadowed by melancholy thoughts.” Koerner observed Lincoln carefully and detected “a good deal of intellect in him, while his looks were genial and kind,” but doubted that he “had much reserve will-power.” Earlier that month, Lincoln won a more positive notice in a Whig newspaper, the Alton Telegraph, which reported that his “highly argumentative and logical” speech in that city “was enlivened by numerous anecdotes” and “was received with unbounded applause.” The Telegraph also noted that at Carlinville on April 6, Lincoln spoke “with great power and eloquence.”
Source: Abraham Lincoln ∶ A Life ▫𓂃
Link to original