Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-01-15
ADVERT TIslNG
DauIsI webster. Early Life.

Daniel Webster's Early Life.
We find in an address recently
given before the Alumni of the Mer-
rimack Normal Institute Of New
Hampshire, by Professor Sanborn Of
Dartmouth College, most inieres-
ting sketch of the early life of Daniel
Webster. 1t was introduced by the
speaker to illustrate the necessity oi
stern and undivided application to
the attainment OF great intellectual
ability and the accomplishment OF
great intellectual labor. Much if
not all Of the extract which we
make will be new to our readers
and the record is a most useful and
animaiing one for the rising genera
ton to peruse:-
Mr.. WEBSTER remarked, in one of
bis recent speeches: "My life has
been one of severe labor in my pro-
fess;on, know not how the bread
of idleness tastes" This is literally
true. From the day, when he enter
ed Exeter Academy, at the age OF
fourteen, TO this hour, bis life has
been one uninterrupted scene OF
mental toll. Aged men, who were
familiar with his early lie, mention,
among their earliest recollections OF
his childhood, fondness icr books
above his years. His father kept
open doors for all travellers. The
teamsters, who came from the North
were accustomed TO say, when they
arrived at Judge Webster's house,
"Come, let us give our horses some
oats and 90 in and hear little Dan
read Psalm" They always called
for him; and, leaning upon their
long whip-stocks, listened, with de-
LIGHTED attention, to the eiocution o.
the Young orator. This londness
for books first prompted his father
10 give him a better education than
the district school afforded. Al Exc
Ter, he had no peer in successful and
accurate study. His residences there
was brief. The limited means OF
his father would not warrant the
expense Of a continued residence at
that Academy. A cheaper method
of preparing him for College was
devised. He was placed under the
care of Rev. Samuel Wood OF Bos
cawen, who received pupils into his
family on very moderate terms. On
entering this family, his father re-
vealed to him his intention Of send
ing him TO College. The announce
ment was received with unbounded
exultation. No Roman consul ever
received with greater JOY. Senate
rial decree for a triumph Under
DIR. Woods tuition, with but an i'm
perfect knowledge Of the rudiments
OF the Latin tongue, he read one
hundred verses Of Virgil at lesson.
He NOT only read but interpreted
the poet. He understood d
relished his polished diciion. The
English dress, which the young STU
dent put upon the old Roman, be
came him. His recreations then
were the same which have occupied
his leisure hours in later life. In his
rambles among the neighborine
woods, his rife was his constant
companion;
-"linoque solebat ct hamo
Decipere, ct calamo salientes ducerepisces
His kind Mentor once ventured tc
suggest his fears least young Daniels
example, in devoting so much iimt
TO his favoriie amusements, NIGH
nroye injurious to the other boys
He did not complain that his task
was neglected, or that any lesson
was imperfectly prepared. The
suggestion was sufficient. The sen
sitiye boy could not bear the suspi
cion Of any deliIection OF duty
The next night was devoted to study
No sleep visited his eyes. His teach
er appeared in the morning 10 heal
his recitation. He read his hundred
lines without mistake. He was no
where. found tripping in syntax o
prosidy. As his teacher was prepar
ing 10 leave. young Daniel requested
him to hear a few more lines. An