But Hamilton's bold, aggressive genius, his audacity, fertility, and resource, did not appeal to Mr.Webster as did the prudence, the constructive wisdom, and the safe conservatism of the gentle Madison, whom he never wearied of praising.

The same description may be given of his imagination, which was warm, vigorous, and keen, but not poetic.

He used it well, it never led him astray, and was the secret of his most conspicuous oratorical triumphs.
He had great natural pride and a strong sense of personal dignity, which made him always impressive, but apparently cold, and sometimes solemn in public.

In his later years this solemnity degenerated occasionally into pomposity, to which it is always perilously near.

At no time in his life was he quick or excitable.