Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1845-11-06

and child in the country is as familiar
with his personal appearance as ~ possi-
BILE for pictorial description to furnish (;
but the Almighty iilDmines the human
fnce, in some instances, with an erprts-
sion which neither pen or pencil can de-
scribe or copy. In this respect, MIR
Clay is a remarkable instance. II is
impossible for any one, To even measur-
ably, appreciate the thrilling power oi
his glowing eloqoence, or the persuasive
and resistless influence Of MS personal
address, without hearing and seeing the
man. Thus, although l spent hours
with Mr.. Clay al his house and upon his
farm, and listened TO the instructive ac-
count Of his agricultural operations for a
series Of years, and saw before me the
rich results Of his practical knowledge
and thrifty industry. still it is impossible
Tor me to convey To others even iaint
idea OF the Fam, his conversation and
his works.
On this occasion Mr.. Clay was dress
ed in a plain suit Of domestic manuiac-
ture-joyous and cheerful, he appeared
more youthful aud vigorous than most
men Of fifty. first saw Mr.. Clay
twelve years ago, and since that time l
could not discover that age or the in
firmitles thereof had in the leas. impair
ed his physical or intellectual vigor.
Mr.. Clay Is associated with his son in
the practice Of the law at Lexington,
. and daily spends several hours at hls Of
fee in the city, dIscha'ging the duties
OF his profession with the sume zeal and
ability that characterized The conmen nee
ment OF his professional career. lie re-
marked 10 me, that his object was main
" To aid and advance his sou, aud II was
also essentiallo his bodily health tina, his
mind should be furnished with its wonted
intellectual food.
His office reminded me Of - olden
time"-no cushioned chairs, carpe,ed
floors, mahogany book cases aud writing
desks of modern davs. There was a
very large and well selected law library,
clean floor, common old fashioned Ia
bles and basket butiorned chairs. In
deed, Mr.. Clay is pre-emlnently PLAIN
and economical in his dress aud manner
of living, and has been the same unas-
suming Republican from orphannge to his
present elevated position IN the world )
estimation. While at his office, he dis
coursed of The law and the things there
unto apperiaining, illustrating the pro-
gress in legal science and practice by
lating amusing incidents that occurred
in the course OF his long and brilliant
professional life.
We went to the Count House, and The
suit IN which Mr. Clay was engsged
was put over for the day. Here saw
him at home mingllng cordially and with
Daternal familiarity with The young mem
hers of the Bar, and noticed The siudlous
return OF respectful and atfectIonaie con
sideraiion FROM the Court House we
walked about the town, and to the resi-
dence of Gen. Leslie Coombes, where
We me, the Hon. Willis Green, a glorI-
Gus Wing member oi the last Congress.
The incidents Of the late Presidential
canvass were here freely discussed, and
a more agreeable and cheerful hour ]
never spent. Although we were of the
deGaaied pswy, and Mr.. Clay the de-
feaied candidate of that party, still his
spark ling humor, illustrative anecdotes,
Joyous and brilliant descri piions and re-
cItals, made him to my mind as in fact
believe he really is, one OF the happIesl
men on the earth.
This, as | have said, was the eleventh
day Of April last, and II was as MIR.
Clay informed me the anniversary of
his marriage. This day, 46 years ago,
he was married, and was one day less
than 90 years Of age at the time-mak-
ing his age six,y-eight on the 18th OF
April, l845.
After dinner Mr.. Clay sat with me
two hours, discoursing freely and ear
nes,ly Of public men and public meas
ures. lie spoke Of Webster, Wright,
Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Tyler,
and others, and of the political acts and
principles of each. He talked Of sla-
very and abolition, Polk and Texas-oi
the present dangers and obstacles TO our
national honor and prosperity, Of and his
abiding confidence in, and his enduring .
gratitude to :he American People
Every word Of this calm but earnest
conversation, is fresh in my recollection,
and would that every man who claims
The protection and rights of American
citizenship, could have heard 1t. While
discussing the public acts Of poItical
friends and political opponents, in no in
stance did | discover any part'zan feel
ing or hear an unkind word. | heard
him speak of Mr.. Webster with pleas
ure, for it is generally understood that
their intercourse, for some years, has
not been very cordial. Of Mr.. Web
ster's public life and services he spoke in
strong terms of commentator, specify
ing numerous acts and deeds that secur-
ed unfading honors upon his county
He gave several senatorial illustrations
OF the intellectual powers and influence
Of Mr.. Webster, which were the biR III
rst possible eulogy one statesman could
cstow upon another. lie expressed
much gratifcat ion at the election to the
u. s. Senate Of Messrs. Webster,
Davis and Others, confident that
W ilh such men in the Senate and the ac-
1--we efforts of able men without, the Ia
If, the Public Lands and other Wing
measures will be preserved and adopted,
aud many OF the destructive schemes
and revolutionary doctrines ofthe Demo-
ratic party repudinted. II