. E. Lilley, who brought out a special
volume on Gordon at Gravesend.

"In Colonel Gordon's appearance there was nothing particularly
striking. He was rather under the average height, of slight
proportions, and with little of the military bearing in his
carriage, so that one would hardly have imagined that this
kindly, unassuming gentleman was already one who had attracted
the notice of his superiors by his courage and zeal in the
Crimean War, and who had won lasting renown by subduing in China
one of the greatest revolts the world had ever seen. This last
exploit had gained for him the name by which he was from that
time best known, viz. "Chinese Gordon." The greatest
characteristic of his countenance was the clear blue eye, which
seemed to have a magical power over all who came within its
influence. It read you through and through; it made it impossible
for you to tell him anything but the truth, it inspired your
confidence, it kindled with compassion at any story of distress,
and it sparkled with good humour at anything really funny or
witty. From its glance you knew at once that at any risk he would
keep his promise, that you might trust him with anything and
everything, and that he would stand by you if all other friends
deserted you."

The other impression, formed under precisely the same circumstances,
is that of Mr Arthur Stannard, recorded in the _Nineteenth Century_ of
April 1885.

"The next moment I was looking into Chinese Gordon's eyes. What
eyes they were! Keen and clear, filled with the beauty of
holiness, bright with an unnatural brightness, their expression
one of settled feverishness, the colour blue-grey as is the sky
on a bitter March morning. In spite of the beautiful goodness of
his heart and the great breadth of his charity, Gordon was far
from possessing a placid temperament or from being patient over
small things. Indeed his very energy and his single-mindedness
tended to make him impatient and irritable whenever any person or
thing interfered with his intentions or desires.... For a man of
his small stature his activity was marvellous--he seemed able to
walk every one else off their legs over rough ground or
smooth.... In Gordon strength and weakness were most
fantastically mingled. There was no trace of timidity in his