Southern shield., 1850-09-21
VOL. XI.
"Reminiscences of Congress.
BY CHARLES ". MARCH.

Under this general tlte, lhe Wil'ei ol 'h0 present volume has given series of per- sonal and political "reminiscences of DANIEL WEBSTER, accompanid with sketches oi the leading public characters whose career mas brought them into connection With the ols- tinCuished Massachusetts Senator. we predict for this work wide and instant popularity. in spite of the great freedom ol speech in which the author indulges, m ms discussion of political celebrities and Pupllc events. He writes with vigor, clearnesS and spirit, although in his choice of phrases he sometimes shows an excessive democrat ic license, refusing to obey the current usages of our language, when 1t better serves his turn to neg feet them. Ills mate rials bear the evident stamp ot authentlcIty' being derived in a great measure from per sonal intercourse with the subjects ot hls narrative, and from an extensive cores pondence with individuals whose position gave them access to the best sources ot ln- formation. Without any love ot trltilng gossip, or an over-weening spirit of hero worship, he brings forward an abundance of interesting details, personal anecdotes, and amusing incidents, which give con- stant liveIinesS to his descriptions, and re- lieve the tediousneSs of mere political speculation.
 Among the recollectons of Mir. WEB sTERs early life, we find little incident showing how nearly the illustrious states man was lost in the Clerk of a County Court
 The clerk of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of fHillsborough, New Hamp- shire, resigned his office iu January, IoOo. Mir. Webster's father was one of the judges of this court; and his colleagues, from re- gard for him, rendered his son the vacant clerkship. It was what Judge Webster had long desired. The office was worth $l,5OO per annum, which was in those days, and in that neighborhood, compe- tenCy; or rather absolute wealth. NIT. Webster himself considered it great prize, and was eager 10 accept it. He weighed the question in his mind. On the one side he saw immediate comfort; on the other, at the best, doubtful struggle. By its ac- ceptance. he made sure his own good con- dilion, and, what was nearer to his heaIt, that of lis family, By its refusal, he con- demned both himself and them to an uncer- tain, and probably, harrassing future.- Whatever aspirations he might have cher ished of professional distinction, he was willing cheerfully 10 relinquish, to promote the immediate welfare of those he held most dear.
 But MT, Gore peremptoriIy and vehem- ently interposed his dissent. He urged every argument against the purpose. lie exposed its absurdity and its consequence. He appealed to the ambition of his pupil; once a clerk, lie said, he always would be clerk-there would be no step upward. He attacked him, too, on the side of his family affection; telling him that he would be far more able to gratify his friends from his professional labols than in the clerkshp. "Go on," he said, "and finish your studies; you are poor enough, but there are greater evils than poverty; live on no mans favor; what bread you do eat, let it be the bread ot independence; pursue your profession; make yourself useful to your friends, and a little formidable to your enemies, and you have nothing to fear"
 Diverted from his design by arguments like these, it still remained to Mir. Webster 10 acquant his father with his determna- ton, and satisfy him of its p7oprety. He felt this would be no easy task, as his father had set his heart so much upon the office; but he determined to go home immediately and give him in full the reasons of his con- duct.
 II was mid-winter, and he looked round for country sleigh-for stage-coaches at that time were things unknown in the cen ter of NewHampshire-and finding one that had come down to market, he took passage therein, and in two or three days was set down at his fathers door. (The same journey is made now in four hours by steam) It was evening when he arrived. l have heard him tell the story of the in terview. His father was sitting before the fire, and received him with manifest iov.- lie looked teebler than be had ever appear ed, but his countenance lighted up on sec ing his clerk stand before him in good health and spirits. He lost no time in al- iudlng to the great ppontment-said how spontaneousy y it had been made-how kindly the chief justice proposed it, with what unanlmlty all assented, &c. &c.- During this speech, it can be we'll imagined how embarrassed Mr. Webster felt, com peled, as he thought, from conviction of duty to disapPoini his fathers sanguine ex- pectations. Nevertheless, he commanded his countenance and voice, so as to reply in sufficiently assured manner He spoke gally about the office; expressed his great obligation to their Honors, and his inten- ton 10 write them a most respectful letter; he could have consented to record any body's judgments, he should have been proud to have recorded their Honors,' &c &c. He proceeded in this strain, till his