Thick lips, in keeping with a repulsive double chin, the beard of which, rarely cleaned more than once a week, was encircled with a dirty silk handkerchief twisted to a cord; a short neck, rolling in fat, and heavy cheeks completed the characteristics of brute force which sculptors give to their caryatids.

Minoret-Levrault was like those statues, with this difference, that whereas they supported an edifice, he had more than he could well do to support himself.

You will meet many such Atlases in the world.

The man's torso was a block; it was like that of a bull standing on his hind-legs.

His vigorous arms ended in a pair of thick, hard hands, broad and strong and well able to handle whip, reins, and pitchfork; hands which his postilions never attempted to trifle with.