He was a vigorous and original critic, and he had shrewd, cogent, and clear-cut reasons for the particular views at which he had arrived; whether one could always agree with them or not, they invariably commanded respect.

Yet his erudition was seldom displayed.

One came upon it unexpectedly in conversation with him, through the accident of some reference or the discussion of some disputed point of fact.
In his appearance MacDowell suggested a fusion of Scandinavian and American types.

His eyes, of a light and brilliant blue, were perhaps his most salient feature.

They betrayed his inextinguishable humour.
When he was amused--and he was seldom, in conversation, grave for long--they lit up with an extraordinary animation; he had an unconscious trick of blinking them rapidly once or twice, with the effect of a fugitive twinkle, which was oddly infectious.