fearless look in them, hair
crisp and inclined to curl, conversation short and decided. This
was Major C. G. Gordon."

General Sir Gerald Graham who, to use his own words, was Gordon's
"school-fellow at Woolwich, his comrade in the Crimea and China, and
for many years past a more or less regular correspondent," has put on
record the following interesting description of the hero, and it
should not be forgotten that, excepting his companion, Colonel Donald
Stewart, and Mr Power, General Graham was the last Englishman to see
General Gordon in this world.

"Not over 5 feet 9 inches in height, but of compact build, his
figure and gait characteristically expressed resolution and
strength. His face, although in itself unpretending, was one that
in the common phrase 'grew upon you.' Time had not streaked with
grey the crisp, curly brown hair of his youth and traced lines of
care on his ample forehead and strong clear face, bronzed with
exposure to the tropical sun. His usual aspect was serene and
quiet, and although at times a ruffling wave of uncontrollable
impatience or indignation might pass over him, it did not disturb
him long. The depth and largeness of Gordon's nature, which
inspired so much confidence in others, seemed to afford him a
sense of inner repose, so that outer disturbance was to him like
the wind that ruffles the surface of the sea, but does not affect
its depths. The force and beauty of Gordon's whole expression
came from within, and as it were irradiated the man, the steady,
truthful gaze of the blue-grey eyes seeming a direct appeal from
the upright spirit within. Gordon's usual manner charmed by its
simple, unaffected courtesy, but although utterly devoid of
self-importance he had plenty of quiet dignity, or even of
imperious authority at command when required. With his friends he
had a fund of innocent gaiety that seemed to spring from his
impulsiveness, while his strong sense of humour often enabled him
to relieve his impatience or indignation by a good-natured
sarcasm."

Two further descriptions by men who served under him at Gravesend in
the interval between the Taeping War and the first mission to the
Soudan will suffice to complete the personal impressions that may help
the reader to form some idea of the appearance of General Gordon. The
first is from the pen of Mr W