Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-08
DANIEL WEBSTER.
To die Editors of Tie .Ne,o YORK. Ca,

To The Editors Of Tie .Neso York GaseNc
GENTLEMEN-According TO my promise, I am A.
bout to give you brief sketch of Mr.. WEBSTER.
OF his carly history it Is not necessary for me to
speak With that, at present, ] will have nothing
to do 1t is my desire to describe him he appears
on the floor Of the Senate.
am aware that il is almost needless 10 sketch his
person, flor among citizens it is well knownl but
as the editor Of the Ulster Sentinel has done So
suppose must follow the example. Mr.. Webster
then, 10 rather above the middng height, strongly
built, and slightly inclined to corpulency. His face
is of the most expressive cast, sallow and without
colour, but finely formed. His forehead is high but
OF irregular shape, and his hair coal black and rath
er stiff and obstinate in its leaBngs He has, to use
the words Of the poet, ian Asiatic cye," intensely
black, mild in its general expression, but with Gu
pacty TO eRbody every species of sensation and pas
sion which lofty aims and dignified ambition enrcn-
der. His mouth is Of the finest ever saw. in
the movements of his lips there is neither prudsh
compression nor ippant activity. His words fall nat
nay, aid the expression Of his face betrays neither
an anxiety to be expressive (Which generally defeats
object nor the slightest degree of careless
ness Indeed, when speaking his features seem to
be merely the passive instruments of his thoughts
as he makes apparent effort to throw the workings
OF his minds into thc countenunce HIS voice is
deep yer mellow and pleasing; only when raised a
little above its natural PITCH failing in its ordinary
roundncss and volume. But he seldom, exerts it be.
yond It's powers and is never guilty of the reduco ad
abSurdum universally experienced by tbos who tax
their vocal capacities too high I'm his pesticuaton
I
atorcal flourish IN his speaking, neither s there any
thing theatrical in his gestures. The distinguishing
feature of his oraory dignifed soernnty; and in
proportion as he seems impressed with the Importance
OF the subject IN which be ~ engaged, is the hear
81 disposed 10 syHspa;hiEs with the speaker This
circumstance explains tho secret Of the fixed atcn-
ton with which nc Is always heard, and tho peculiar
charm Of his eoquence. The hearer is impressed
with high and lofty feeling Of the momentous dec
Iaraions gravely and solemnly made by the speaker
while the purity Of his language and the clcarness
with which his ideas Expressed, confirm the first
Impression arising from his manner. His delivery
has always the effect to his hearers that hc
10 an earHes-that what he utters hc reilly feels and
believes that the of his opinions are neither
party annoslty, spleen, nor prejudice Hence his
more vigorous sallics produce powerful effect, and
the conviction in his hearers that they are moi the
exhibitions Of passionwhilc tho equabe tenor ofhs
oratory renders those flights of fancy which ocoa-
sionnlly enbcish his speeches doubly pleasing. They
evidently come unbIdden-thcy bear tho stamp of
the spontaneous growth ola highly cultivated mont
soil, instead Of the gaudy coloriDg of exotcs
In argument, few excel Mr. Webster lie loses
sight Of the deduction which he intends draw wandeTs
IN irrelevant defamation into subjects foreign the
hand lib dscs is 10 bring outward aid TO his reasoning;
not TO confuse or myy With sefposscssion which,
seldom seen e1ualed he coolly his defence
agansmspsenaton, the bitter Of opponent
IT'S irony seems 20 borrow force from the cool and upimt
soned tone IN which IL expressed; and huTs back
which had fallen hurtless his feet. with aim sure
band as steady as those Of the ancient psr,bian lie
much gwen but in its well the
preston Of counenancc which gives point and force well