Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-09-17
"reminiscences Of Prof. Webster.

ReLuinlSCtIICtS vi L lUls W SoOtCls
A correspondent Of the Dedham Demo
,crat--once q student in Harvard College
writes as follows:
Ten wears ago knew DR.. Webster well.
/ was so weak as 10 doubt his guilt to the
last moment. He was so amiable a man
in social life, so kind TO all with whom he
came in contact, so hospitable, so ardent
.rran admirer Of the fine arts and OF music,
SO willing to assist others in the means OF
this kind of enjoyment, that "cotoned'
10 him from my first introduction. Ma
nv time did the Harvard Glee Club
serenade the Doctor, and never was ne
wanting in hospitality. And whenever
any distinguished musical artist came TO
Boston, he was always sure to bring them
10 Cambridge, and a cOterie of musical
friends were invited to enjoy their COM
ing. To blind young man, who had an
unusual talent for music, he was parucu-
larry kind. | have seen him IN great
many situations trying to the teacher, and
never saw him angry.
recollect once, on the occasion OF his
lecturing on the theory of volcanic ernp-
tons, he had prepared huge fac slmlle OF
Mount Etna, and when he touched 1t
off," it exploded like discharge Of rock
cts, and the room was Immediately filled
with smoke and intolerable vapOrs, and
the class, en- mdSse, inconlinently left the
lecturer standing by the volcano alone,
while they sought the fresh air without.
The blind youth, alluded 10 above, did
not start with the rest, and was not so Ia
miliar with the chemical recitation room
as 10 be able TO find his way out alone.
Fingered 10 assist him, and | have never
forgotten the appearance of the Doctor, or
the EXPRESSION of his cOuntenance, when,
the smoke having cleared away, he found
that all his hearers had gone. 1t would
he difficult to attempt to analyze the emo
lions there expressed. But, so far from
expressing that desire of instantaneous re-
yenge, which is considered to be con-
stituent Of his disposition, 1t expressed
merely he emotion of a man mortified and
disguised at the rudeness OF his class
And il is exceedingly difficult for one who
has such pleasant "reminiscences OF the
Professor TO believe him TO be the blood
thirsty vindictive assassin some suppose
him.
Few men enjoyed music with so keen
delight as DR.. Webster. And the pleasure
he enioyed was not merely sensual. He
kne,U harmony. And, me .jUdice, he was
better able to appreciate the works OF the
great masters of music than almost any
other man in New England. His musl'
cal library was more extensive aud con-
tanned rarer works than any other. And
his knowledge of various composers was
so profound that he was enabled at once
10 detect minute plaglarisms on hearing
performance, and he would tell you at once
where the composer had borrowed from
Rossiui, or Beethoven, or Mozart, OF
Mendelssohn, OF Neukomm, or others.
By the same rule he was good critic
or performance. So finely tuned was his
ear. ITO use i common eXpresslon,) sc
painfully sensible was he to discordant
sounds, and to the imperfect performance
Of piece of music, that he appeared &c
suGer agony oftentimes in concert rooms
recollect meeting him at the Howard A.
1heum, on the first performance of Bale S
Bohemian Girl, and seeing him peculiarly
uneasy in his seat, took the liberty, du'
ling an inlelludc, of asking him his opIn'
ION of the orchestra. He lOokedup under
his spectacles, with that sudden energetic
earnesmess Of manner peculiar TO him, land
Asked Do you know the leader! Ii
YOU do, please GO and ask him to have
The trombones and the French horns and
the drums play piano, or We shall DC
stunned"