From the multitude his joy and his grief, his affection and his resentment, were hidden by a phlegmatic serenity, which made him pass for the most coldblooded of mankind.

Those who brought him good news could seldom detect any sign of pleasure.

Those who saw him after a defeat looked in vain for any trace of vexation.

He praised and reprimanded, rewarded and punished, with the stern tranquillity of a Mohawk chief: but those who knew him well and saw him near were aware that under all this ice a fierce fire was constantly burning.

It was seldom that anger deprived him of power over himself.