Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-16
From Sketches Of Public Character.
DANIEL, WEBSTER.


The person of Mr.. Webster is singular and COM
maudng: his height above the ordinary Size, blu,
he he called tall, he broad across the chest,
and stouily and firmly built but there is nothing OF
curnsiness either in his form gait. His head is
very large his forehead high, with good shaped tenn
pies lie has large, black, solemn looking eye, that
cShios strcngth and stcadfastness, and which
times burns, but seldom sparkles. HIS HAIR is of
raven black, and both thick and short. without the
mark of gray hair. His eve -beows are of the same
colour, thick and strongly marked, which give his
features the appearance OF sternness but the general
expression OF his Ia after it properly examined,
Is rattSr mild and amiabe than Otherwise. HIS
movements III the house and in the street slow and
dgniued; there Is peculiar sweetness IN his voice,
Its tones rather harsh than musical! still there
great variety in them; and some of them catch the
ear aud chan it down to the most perfect attention.
lie bears traits OF great men al labour, but marks
"of age; In fact his person imposing now, in
hs forty eighth year. than 1t ut thirty years of
age
AR. Webster was born in the State of New Hump
SHIRE the town of Salisbury, on the banks of the
Merrmlck; his early education was scruty, for at
mat time the pnb!c schools in that part of New
Ehgland where he lived, not in he state
tley now are. a few months of inst ruction from,
badly educated scoo-na all that could
be obtained at home. Mr.. Websters iather was u
man of note IN his neishborLood; sometimes repre-
sentative TO the legislature county Judge, and at
Ill times farmer; having several children he did
icel able tn give them tie advantages of liberal
education. but the faculties of is Daniel attract
ing the attention of all the intelligent part of the
conimuni v about him, he made effort, and sent
Inn to an academy 10 prepare himself for college
The sagaclous eye of hts instructor long in
seeing his extraordinary capacity for his studies. for
he strobe before his classma With case, and left
them TO Come up as they could
In 1907 he entered Dartmouth college, and gradu-
ated In course IN 1901 In thus seminary he was dis
tingulshed as young man OF astonishing powers of
mind but he coursed too large field of knowl-
edge TO allow him time for those minute and accurate
studies winch alone can make a thorough classic
.bn1 In Oh, ,1s,
academy for year. usual coarso for the graduates
OF that college, and then commenced the study of the
law. He rem lined considerable time in the cnun-
try IN his native village i'll the office OF tasteful and
an elegant sholar but who then engaged i'm the
profitable part of bis profession the collecting bust
nos; and this practice being soon understood, Mr
w ebster DESTROYS of seeing courts and Witness
ing more enlarged of practice; and for this
purpose went TO Boston, and put himself under the,
care OF Christopher Gore, u distinguished advocate
in that metropolis. Gore soon saw and spoke pro
phecaIly OF the talents OF his pupil. Some political
essays he wrote in the papers at that time attracted
tons were spoken Of as exhibiting great vgour and
point "A soon as he admitted to the bar he re-
turned into the country and commenced the practice
OF his profession at Boscawen, the town adioinnr his
liiive village. 1t long before all ewes were
turned upon hun, and his business rapidly increased
Tut he doomed the field narrow for him, and in
about three or four years h. left Bo>cawen for Ports
mouth, tho largest town III New Hampshire, q place
Of extensive commerce and great enlerprize His
fame had preceded him, he soon known to all,
and eml Eyed in of the important cases in the
courts throughout the State. Smith and nj asou we're
then his competitors they shrewd and learned
men; who had been brought up IN school of sharp
practice, and the young aspirant for distinction had
light them hard, and he did beard them by all the
suoteties OF special pieading and wth equal taunts
and g,bes and sarcasm and such weapons inflicted
equal BARNS, until they acknowledged hun as their
peer, and made him an amnesty that vas perpetual
Mr. Webster has often said that this was a good
.ko,>l L., L.,
him to be under the necessity of contendmp alone
With his seniors, men who were at the head of
the bar and had long nlonopoled the best business
MIR Webster had not been at the bar more than se
ven years. when he shared with them the lea din ca Res
in all courts.
At this time party spirit high, and the prom
nent men in New-tiampshire were anxious 10 see
Nlr Webster display his powers in the halls of Con-
gress.-He had taken des in politics 10 carly life.
and had been active with his pen in support Of his
principles; bu he suffered his zeal to get the
better of his judgmcnt;-hn no dculagogue
The first halo of political glory that hung around his
brow at convention OF al! the great spirits in the
county OF Rockingham, where he then resided and
such representatives from he other counties US we're
sent to this convention, to take into consideration the
state OF the nation, and markout such course for
themselves should be deemed advisable bv the col
lccted wisdom of those assembled. On this occoSon
address with string of resolutions were PROMISED
for adoption. Of which he said 10 be the author
They exhibited uncommon powers of ntellcct and
profound knowledge of our national interest Flo 7
made most powerful speech in support of these reso
lutions portions Of which were reprinted at Tint
time and which were much admired every part of the
Union. From this time he belonged tn The un;,od
STATES and not to New Hampshire exclusively Mas
eachusets seemed to take deep an interest in hs
career his native state Not far from this period
traveller passing through Portsmouth,, when some
election at hand, when at the inn it was an
nounced the dinner table that Mr.. Webster
was to speak at that evening; this news ran
from one part ofthe town to another. and all were
enthusiastic at hearing that Mr.. Webster was poIn0
to- speak. The genteman's carriage came to the door
and he about get into it. when the ostler said
sir, are you going to leavetown? Mr. Webster is 10
speak to night. The gentleman finding all classes so
delighted to hear that Mr. Webster was ooinp 70
speak, ordered his horses the stable, and put off
his iorncy until he morrow
At early candlelght he went to the caucus room.
it was filled to overlooking, but some persons seeing
that he stranger gave way, and he found con-
renien raIac To tan m nuc Lit