The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-10-22

statesman and publicist ,-e eminent in
each character,-andw was. besides, one
of the rare examples of the highest in
tellectual qualities united with sound
practical, keen common sense. He
knew mankind no less than books and
the wisdom he derived from the sttdy OF
both, he could impart, in most impress
I've language. With him Mr.. Webster
enjoyed the best opportunity thus far Of
his life for studying books, and men,
and things and he made the best use
Of the opportunity. He attended the
session of the Supreme Cour, which sat
in August, of this year. constantly, and
reported all its decisions. lie also re-
ported the decisions of the Circuit Court
Of the United States. He read dill
gently and carefully the books generally,
ofthe Common Municipal Law, d the au.
thorities on the Laws of Nations, some
Of them for the third time, accompany
ing these studies with vast variety of
miscellaneous reading. His chief study,
however, was the Common Law, and
more especially that part Of il which re-
lates TO the science of Special Pleading.
This, one Of the most ingenious aud re-
fined, and at the same time instructive
aud useful branches of the law, he pur>
sued with devotion. Besides appropria-
ting whatever he could of this part Of
the science from Viner, Bacon, and 9TH
er books then in common study, he wa
ded through Saunders Reports-Ihe
old folio edtion-and distracted and put
into English, out Of the Latin and Nor
man French, the pleadIngs in all the re-
ports, This undertaking, both as an
exercise of the mind, and as an acquisi-
ton of useful learning, was Of great ad-
vantage to him III his succeeding profess
ional career.
An anecdote | have heard Mr.. Web-
sicr tell in relation TO bis first interview
with gentleman, then and afterwards
distinguished in the history ofthe coun-
try, il may not be improper to relate
here. 81 remember one day., says
Mr.. Webster, I" as | was alone in the
office, a man came in and asked for Mr..
Gore. MIR. Gore was out, and he sat
down TO wait for him. He was dressed
in plain grey clothes. | went on with
my book, till he asked me what ] was
reading, and, coming along up to the Ia
BILE, took the book aud looked at it
.. Roccus, " said he "dc ndvibus ct
nando. Well, read the book too when
| was boy" and proceeded to talk not
only about ships and freighis, but n>
surance, prize, and other matters of
maritime law, in manner TO put me up
TO all | knew aud good deal more.
The grey.coaled stranger turned out TO
be Mr.. Rufus X ing"
In March 1905, Mr. Webster was ad.
mitted to practice, in Suffolk Court o!
Common Pleas. The custom then pre-.
vailed for the patron 10 accompany his
pupil into Court, introduce him to the
Judges, make brief speech in COM
mendatlon of his studious conduct and
auainments, and then move for his adj
mission to the Bar. A person presen
on the occasion of Mr.. Webster's ad
mission. Informs me that he remember
almost every word of Mr.. Cores speech
and that it contained, among othe
things, a prediction Of his pupils futur
professional distinction. In all proba
bilty the prediction, as is generally tn
case, aided its own accomplishment
Certainly, the favorable opinion Of MI
Gore must have been an additional in
ceniive to Mr.. Webster ambitious hope
and efforts.
How much, after all, are the gre'
men and events Of history, apparently
the sport of accidents The destiny I
: individuals and no less of nations, seen
, not so much the result of foresight {
determination, as Of casual opinion {
caprice or Of circumstances, more vi
, certain than either. An adverse wine
: neither to be anticipated nor overcom'
kept the brewers son within the shore
Of England, as he sought in forelg
: cline the liberty Of conscience refuse
| him at home, and made him absolu
C master of his country's fortunes. A
unsuccessful application for the Profes
$ orship of Logic in Glasgow universi
c precipitaied Edmund Burke upon h
o own energies. and gave to England
r greatest philosophical orator. The off
: of a clerkship OF county court, une
= pecied but not ungrateiul, might, but
Is the earnest inierposition of one ma
y have deprived America and the world
J. an intellect, of which neither Ameri'
n nor the world knows now the equal.
n The Clerk Of the Court Of Comm'
= Pleas for the county of Hlllsborong
New Hampshire, resigned his Office
IN .OO- A Nol,,oxis c,,I