The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-03-17


Miss Martha Milford in book Of "Re-
miniscences,' makes the following allusion to
Mr.. Webster -
"One of the gratest, if not the very great
est, of the living orators of America, is, be.
yond NIL manner Of doubt, Daniel Webster.
That he is also celebrated as a lawyer and
statesman, is a matter of course in that prac.
iical country, where, even so high gin as
hat OF eloquence is brought to bear on the
fortunes Of individuals and the prosperity
of the common wealth, mo idle pilaser
placed Tor ornament, but a solid column aid
ing to support the building. A column in
deed stately and graceful with iis Corinth-
an capital, gives no bad idea of Mr. Web
ster; of his tall and mus cuar person. his
massive features, noble head, and the gene
raj expression Of placid strength by which
he is distinguished. This is mere fanciful
comparison but Sir Augustus Callcoit's fine
figure Of Columbus has been reckoned very
like him: resemblance that must have been
fortuitous; since the picture was painted be-
fore the artist had ever seen the cele brated
orator.
When in England some ten or twelve
years ago, Mr. Webster's calm manner Of
speaking excited much admiration and per-
haps little surprise, and contrssted with
the astounding and somewhat rough rapidi-
ty of progress which is the chief character
isiic o! bis native land. Aud yet that calm-
ness of manner was just what might be ex-
pected from countryman Of Washington,
earnest, thoughtful, weighiy, wise. No vis-
tier to London ever left behind him pleas
anter reccollections, and / hope that the
good impression was reciprocal. Every
body was delighted with his geniality and
taste and he could hardly fail TO like the
people who 50 heartily liked him. Among
our cities ard our scenery he admired that
most which was most worthy oi admiration ,
pr0ferring, in common with many of the
most gifted of his countrymen, our beautiful
Oxford, whose winding street exhibits such
condensation Of picturesque architecture,
mixed with water, trees and gardens, with
ancient costume, with eager youth, with by-
gone associations and rising hope; certainly
10 any Of our new commercial towns, and
perhaps, as mere picture, 10 London hers
self; and carrying home with him, as one
Of the most precious ard Characteristic mes
MORALS of the land OF his forefalhers large
collection of architectural engrayings, rep,
resenting our magnificent Gothic cathedrals
and such of our Norman castles and Tudor
manorhouses, as have escaped the barbari.
ties Of modern mprovers, We are return.
ing ourselves TO that style now: but twelve
years ago ii was his own good taste, and not
the fashion of the day that prompted the
preference.
/ owe 10 his kind ness, and that of nv nd
mirable friend, Mr.. Kenyon, who accom-
panied him, the honor and pleasure of a
visit from Mr.. Webster and lis amiable
family in their transit from Oxford to Wind
sor;-my local position between these two
points Of attraction has often procured for
me the qualification of seeing my American
friends when making that journey but
during this VISIT little circumstance oc.
cured so characteristic, so graceful, and so
generous, that cannot resist the lempa-
ton Of relating it.
Walking in my cottage garden, we talk
cd naturally Of the roses and pinks tina,
surrounded US and oflhe different indisen-
Gus flowers OF our island and of the United
States. ! had myself had the satisfaction
Of sending 10 my friend, Mr.. Theodore
Sedgwick, hamper containing roofs of
English plants familiar TO our poetry; The
common ivy-how could they wani ivy who
had had no time for ruins 2--ihe primrose
and the cowsip, immortalized by Shake-
speare and Ml.loni and the sweet.scenlsd
violels, both white and purple, Of our hedge
rows md our Iahes; that known as the vi
olet in America Mr.. Bryant somewhere
speaks of il as the yellow volei') being,
suspect. the little wild pansy (vioia hicoi-
or) renowned Nc the love- in idleness of
Shakespeare famous compliment 10 Queen
Elizabeth. or these we spoke and ex-
pressed an interest in two flowers known 10
me only by the vivid description of Miss
MarIineaui the scarlet lily Of New York
and Of the Canadian woods and the firing
ed genlian Of Niagara. / observed that
our l.usirious guest made come remarks
10 one of The ladies Of his party; but
little expected that, as soon after his return
as seeds Of these plants could be procured
should receive packet OF each, signed
and directed by his own hand. How much
pleasure these little kindness give And
how many such have come 10 ns lrsm ov-
er the same wide ocean.
Strength of the Will.