The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-15

in him as at the sound Of trumpet.
Mr.. Webster was early fond ofpoe,ry
lie was not satisfied with reading il
merely, but committed gteat deal To
memory. The whole Essay on Man he
could reciie uerbatim bufofe he was four.
tcru years old. A habit of attentive, ex.
elusive devotion to the subject before
him, aided by a wonderful memory, fixed
everything deeply in his mind |, is
this art, or talent or genius, that works
the miracles we read and behold. lie
had a great taste, too, for devotional poe
try :-Watt'sPsalms and Hymns he COM
mllted TO memory, not as a religious
task, but as pleasure Nor was he less
fond of, or less acquainted with tine sub.
lime poetry of the Bible. Evidence Of
this is found everywhere in his works ;
Tor there is scarcely a speech or produc-
iion of his that d 'es no, contain IDEAS
or expressions, the types of which may
be found in that book.
When he attained his fourteenth wear.
his father took an important and deci>
sive step with him. On the 25th Of May,
1906, Ebeuezer Webster mounted his
horse, put his son on another and pro-
ceeded with him to Exeter. He there
placed him in Philips Academy, then
under the care Of DR.. Benlimin Abbott
its well-known aud respected Presit cut.
The change was very great to boy,
who had never been from home before,
aud who now found himself among some
ninety other boys,-a stranger among
strangers. all of whom had probably
seen more Of the world, and assumed TO
know so much more of il than himself
But he was not long in reconcling him
self to the change, and to his new duties
He was Immediately put to English
grammar, writing and arithmetic. A
class-mate OF his has informed me iha,
he mastered the principles aud philoso>
phv of the first. between May and Oc-
tober Of that year and that in the 9th
er studies he made respectable progress
In the autumn he commenced the study
Of the Latin language his first cxerc-
ses in which were reciied to Joseph Ste
yens Buckmlnster, who was acting (in
some college vacation, ! think, as as
sistant to Doctor Abbott.
1t may appear somewhat singular that
the greatest orator oi modern times
should have evinced in his boyhood the
greatest aniipalhy TO public defamation.
This fact. however, is established by his
own words, which have recently appear
ed in print. Il believe" says Mr..
Webster, 81 made iolerable progress in
most branches, which | attended to,
while in this school but there was one
thing | could not do | could not make
defamation. | could not speak beiure
the school. The kind and excellent
Buckminsler sought especially to per-
suade me to perform the exercise of dec
lamation, like other boys, bu, | could
not do it.-Many piece did | commit
10 memory, and recilc and rehearse III
my own room, over and over again yet
when the day came, when the 81 hnol
collected 10 hear decamations, when my
name was called, aud saw all eyes turn
ed to my seat, | could not raise myself
from it. Sometimes the instructors
(rowned, sometimes they smiled. Mr.
B always pressed and entreaIed, most
winning!y, that would venture. But |
never could command sufficient resolu>
ton" Such dlflidence of lis own pow.
ers may be natural to genius. nervuu>ly
fearful of being unable to reach thai
ideal which IT proposes as the unly full
consummation of its wishes. II is for
tunale, however, for the age, fortunate
for all ages, that Mr.. Webster by deter
mined will and frequent trial overcame
this moral incapaci,y-as his great pro-
tuiypof the Grecian orator, subdued his
physical defect.
lie remained at the Exeter academy
bit few months accomplishing in
those few months, however, the work OF
years to some. In February. 1907, his
father placed him under the tuition ui
Rev. Samuel Woods, in Boscawen oi
whom his pupil speaks in terms of affcc.
lion and respect lie boarded in his
family and have heard him say that
Woods whole charge for instruction,
board, &c, was but one doiidr per neck
We pay much dearer now for much
less.
1t was on their way TO the house OF
Mr.. Woods that his father first npened
to him his design Of sending him to col,
lege--a purpose that seemed To him i'm
possible to be fulfilled. 1t was so much
more exlravagant than his most extray-
agnnt hopes. II had never entered hi,
mind moment. 4 collegiate education