ELIZABETH INCHBALD1753-1821

ELIZABETH INCHBALD1753-1821

Kavanagh’sEnglish Womenof Letters.*

“Miss Simpson... was ... tall and slender, with hair of a golden auburn, and lovely hazel eyes, perfect features, and an enchanting countenance.”—1771.

Mrs. Inchbald’sMemoirs.

“Description of Me.

Age.—Between 30 and 40, which, in the register of a lady’s birth, means a little turned of 30.Height.—Above the middle size, and rather tall.Figure.—Handsome, and striking in its general air, but a little too stiff and erect.Shape.—Rather too fond of sharp angles.Skin.—By nature fair, though a little freckled, and with a tinge of sand, which is the colour of her eyelashes, but made coarse by ill-treatment upon her cheeks and arms.Bosom.—None; or so diminutive, that it’s like a needle in a bottle of hay.Hair.—Of a sandy auburn, and rather too straight as well as thin.Face.—Beautiful in effect, and beautiful in every feature.Countenance.—Full of spirit and sweetness; excessively interesting, and, without indelicacy, voluptuous.Dress.—Always becoming; and very seldom worth so much aseightpence.”—About 1788.

Age.—Between 30 and 40, which, in the register of a lady’s birth, means a little turned of 30.

Height.—Above the middle size, and rather tall.

Figure.—Handsome, and striking in its general air, but a little too stiff and erect.

Shape.—Rather too fond of sharp angles.

Skin.—By nature fair, though a little freckled, and with a tinge of sand, which is the colour of her eyelashes, but made coarse by ill-treatment upon her cheeks and arms.

Bosom.—None; or so diminutive, that it’s like a needle in a bottle of hay.

Hair.—Of a sandy auburn, and rather too straight as well as thin.

Face.—Beautiful in effect, and beautiful in every feature.

Countenance.—Full of spirit and sweetness; excessively interesting, and, without indelicacy, voluptuous.

Dress.—Always becoming; and very seldom worth so much aseightpence.”—About 1788.


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