The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-10
From the National Mteihgener.
SKETCHES
OF THE Personal AND PUBLIC CHARACTER or
DANIEL WEBSTER.
LETTER No. III.

~ a ~ u J" Il ID Il H.
LETTER NO. NJ
R, Mass, July, 1889.
DEAR Sin You remark that Mr. Webster is cold
and distant IN his manners. Have YOU not been ac-
cuStomed TO view him through the msgnfying glass Of
his great reputation, and has this magic Of your
own fancy thrown over him false colorng which be-
longs rather to you than hint Have you not been
accustomed 10 see him at Washington, where, while
| other great men smiling, and smiling and playing
the villain, Webster is deeply bordering upon his du-
ties where while others are trying 10 make friends
and a,enng Their way prcferment, he is care worn
from the laboratory OF thought where he has been SUBJ
Jecting Nulihcation," the :. Sub-ireasuryn or
some similar scheme, 10 the crucibc of truth In
either OF hese cases, you could not see Mr. Webster in
right light Let me take you in Imagination, TO his
residence, which you know at Marsh6eld near the
seashore and some twenty miles southeast from Bos.
ton.
few years since, Mr.. Webster was near his
grounds, aud close 10 the bank Of small stream The
showers had been plentiful, and this river was now full
TO the hrm, An old came along on foot, and meet
ing Mr. Webster without knowing him, inquired the
way to certain house IN the vicinity Mr. Webster
told him that he must take path which led the
stream The old man remarked that the appeared
to be deep, and asked If there was no other wsy Of
reaching The place of his destination. Being informed
that there Other he seemed to be in some ankle
iy when MIR. Webster offered carry him over After
some parey this offer accepted, and. mounting a
pair OF broad shoulders the old man rode safely across
the stream Daniel Webster's back But there was
nothing IN the circumstances which seemed strike
him as peculiar, the good nature Of the act and
IN this way he mentioned It at the place he going
TO- The story led TO some inquiries, and the old man
soon learnt who it that friend in need, had
been friend indeed
| Perhaps, my dear sir, If you have found Webster
naughty at Washington, you could learn better a, Marsh
| field.
The late MIR. Writ was man Of elegant yet winning
manners. He had not the sunny address Of Henry
Clay, which makes every mans heart he approaches
melt like wax within him; had he the fascination OF
Calhoun, which would be irresistible, it for
the sinister rattle that faint but distinct to the
ear nor had he the elaborate and boated poitessc of
Benton; nor the smooth and appant couriliness Of
Van Buren, but he had the best style of Virginian
manners OF the old school he hearty yet digui-
fled; sincere though polite He had often met Web
ster and as they were Of the politics, they had
mutual respect for each other. Writ remarked how
ever, that, IN spite OF the many circumstances likely
draw them together, there kind Of distance be-
tween them
AT length, Webster had occasion to call on Writ, at
his offce for he was then Attorney General Being
engaged In writing at the moment, he asked Mr.. Web
ster to SIT down few minutes the fire, while he con-
tnued writing at the further end of tho room Webster
took his aud gazed ntenv into the mass Of glow
ing anthracite Presently Wirt's daughter a beautiful
chld, oil five or six years old, in and, not seeing
Webster's face, mstook him for her father She walk
ed round, and, placing her arms over Webs,er's knee
looked up famllary in his face. AT this instant he
withdrew his gaze from the fire. and looked into the
eyes OF the child, who shrunk back in fear As soon,
however, as the image OF the child had reached Web
steIs braln smile his face and the little
glrl completely by it, SIN led back again. aud in
stantly returned to her former position of familiarity and
confidence. Writ noticed this little scene, aud his
bosom was of nature to feel it, He did feel il and
coming forward, shook Webster's hand heartily the
tears trimming III his eyes From that time according
to the report Of his words, he felt that suspect
Webster OF GOODNESS, either Of heart
do him injustice and he himself confessed that he be-
'ieycd the Kind of non.condnc'or which had separated
them before was want Of simplicity and naturaness
IN his mode of approaching him.
have but this remark to make, that If Webster is
distant and naughty in his to the coury and at
court, seems not to be ndulged either an old man
who wishes to stream, or child whose face re-
fleets the soul the lake gives back the image Of
Heaven May we not suppose that Webster has not
forgotten his village breeding, and that being simple in
his feelings, simplicity is best adapted to draw out his
kindly nature
/ am yours, truly.