The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-12-06

The Ts~gsdy In Bsstsa.
The interest Of the drama deepens as the proofs thicken
uponus egse in another column copious details Of the
transaction II is startling TO see the suspicious generally
entertained Of Prof Webster and the evidence which APP
pears TO be accommodating upon his head II difficult to
resist the impression that he concerned in the murder
OF Dr. Parkman strange and horrible the very SUPPOSE
ton is But the of Eugene AIam, who was detected
IN England, and the conviction and execution OF
Eppes in Virginia. who murdered his neighbor to get pos.
session Of the bonds which he had given him. are con-
hrmatory instances going to show the impeecton OF
men who have fallen victims to their passions Il is
possible that if Webster be the murderer OF Parkman,
ne may have been stimulated at once by revenge, on
account of some ill-blood which had arisen between
them, but still by his anxiety to release himself
from the debt which he had contracted What a
startling lesson to every TO keep his expenses within
the bounds OF his revenues and avoid the pressure of
debt and the sting OF necessity II the same feeling
which made Benedict Arnold traitor to his country.
lie lived in luxurious and extravagan
involved in debwas cut off from the means OF indulgng
his inornaie love Of expense-and he fell prey to the
gold and seducons Of England From similar feelings,
the Professor in Boston may have fallen victim to his
own extravaganza. The community have taken SO deep
an interest in the development Of this most extraordinary
transaction, WHERE amid the refnemens Of fashion, the
treasures Of science. and the attractions Of domestic fell
city, murder Of the most atrocious description has been
attributed 70 citizen Of Boston, that we are sure the
following sketch of his character, which we find in the
newspapers, will be read with great curiosity:
Dr. Webster has been professor Of hemsry in Harvard
University since the decease the late Dr. Gorham pe
Rod OF over twenty-five years Tn this capacity he is
member Of the Faculty Of Medicine la the Harvard Med.
cal school, which has Its location in Boston, He Is proba.
ply not far from 90 Of age, although his and
appearance those Of much younger man His renu
ation in his profession is respectable but not brilliant
he Is man Of varied accomplishments and of elegant
tastes. AS member OF society in Boston and Cambridge
ne has always enjoyed unusual popularity His musi
cal talents are Of high ORDER and has done much 10
elevate the standard Of musical Boston His house
has been distinguished the of hospitality
"nere, surrounded BY sngnarly lovely family he has
appeared 70 ENJOY the highest delight in the courteous
tertanment OF numerous circle of friends With mild
kind and unassnming dispostonwith eminenty social
feelings, and manners Of afability-he proba
bly, had not an enemy His character was far from any
stain-he was the last In the world who would be
thought capable of committing crime.
There is no doubt that he labored under one defect
which may have lead him to the dreadful deed of which
ne Is accused With expensive habits and luxury
he had no skill or ability the management of pecunary
affairs Hence, he is known have been generally in
state OF great embarrassment We have 1t from the best
authority that this has at times brought him almost into
condition OF frantic excitement which led the appre
henson that desperate be the consequences
is possible that the repeated demands the payment of
the mortgage alluded acting morbidy nervous TEN
permanent may have produced paroxysm of sudden fen
which resulted in the crime which be thought
of without shudder recorded 10 connexion with his
name except with sitting heart-breakng emotion OF
agony
The deceased about sixty years age He belonged
to one OF the weahest and distinguished families of
his native city. He had received thorough medical edu
cation in early life, and much interested in medical
science, but the care of his large induced him
confine his practice limited circle. The establishment
OF the hospital for the insane and Of the asylum for the
blind, in the vicinity OF Boston, greatly forwarded by
the zeal and energy Of Dr. Parkman He had the repua-
ton Of skiul fnancier, had realized large gains by in
vesments In real estate, and and mehodca In
his business habits. II is highly his credit and
worthy his character that his best friends
were among his numerous tenants who consisted great
extent OF the poorer classes.