Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-11-17

4
We have been favored With the perusal Of
letter, written by Mr. Webster to an init
mate friend in this city, dated Franklin, May.
8. 1916, from which we make the extract be-
low, and which we are sure will be read at this
time with unusual interest.
Il have made satisfactory arrangements
respecting my house here, the best Of which
is that | can leave it where it is, and vet be
comfortable, notwithstanding the railroad
"This house faces due North Its front
windows look toward the River Merrimac -
But then the river soon turns to the South,
so that the eastern windows look toward the
1 river also But the river has SO deepened its
| channel in this stretch Of it, within the last
| fifty years. that we cannot see its waters
| without approaching it, or going back to the
higher lands behind US The history Of this
/ change is of considerable Importance in the
philosophy of streams have observed it
/ practically, and know something Of the thco
nv of the phenomenon but doubt whether
the world viii ever le benefited. either By my
learning or my observation in this respect.
Looking out at the east windows at this
moment e P. NJ } with beautiful sun just
breaking out. my eye sweeps rich and level
field of 100 acres At the end Of it, a third
Of mile of, see plain marble grave stones,
designating the places where repose my father,
my brother Joseph and my sisters AIehtaalc,
Abigail and Sarah. good Scripture names,
inherited from their Puritan ancestors.
i "My father Ebenezer Webster born at
Kingston. in the lower part Of the State, in
/ 1875, the handsomest man / ever saw, ex-
cept my brother Ezekiel. who appeared to me,
and so does he now seem to me, the very Fl.
nest human form that ever laid eyes on. /
saw him in his cofin-a white forehead Ia
tinged cheek-a complexion as clear as heav-
eDly light But where am ! straying?
"The grave has closed upon him, as it has
on all my brothers and sisters We shall soon
be all together But this is melancholy aud
leave it. Dear dear kindred blood, how
love you all
"1'bis fair field is before mol could see
a lamb on any part Of it. have ploughed
it, and raked it, and hoed it, but never now
ed it, Some how could never learn to
hang scythe! | had not wit enough. My
brother Joe used to say that my father sent
the rest of the children
"Of hot day in July--it must have been
one Of the last years of Washington's admin
istration-I was making hay. with my father.
just where | now see remaining elm tree,
about the middle Of the afternoon. The Hon.
Abel Foster, Nj. G., who lived in Canterbury,
six miles of. called as the house. and came
into the field to see my father He was
worthy man, college learned. and had been a
minister, but was not person of any consid
cradle natural powers My father was bis
friend and supporter. He talked awhile in
the Geld, and went on his way. When he was
gone, my father called me to him, and we sat
down beneath the elm, on q bay cock. He
said, My son. that is worthy man he is a
member Of Congress; he goes to Philadelphia,
and gets six dollars day while / toll here,
1t is because he had education, which never
had. If had had bis carly education,
should have been in Philadelphia in his place.
came near it. as it was; but | missed it.
and now must work here My dear faith
err said T, you shall not work ; brother aud
| will work for you. and wear our hands out,
and you shall rest--and remember to have
cried, and cry now at the recollection my
child said he, it is no Importance to me;
now live but for my children; could not
give your elder brother the advantages Of
knowledge, but can do something for you
Exert yourself improve your opportunities
= learn-learn : and when am gone, you
will not need to 90 through the hardshps
which have undergone. and which have made
me an old man before my time.
THE next May he took me to Exeter, to
the Philips Exeter Academy placed me un,
der the tuition of its excellent procepter, DR..
Benjamin Abbott. still living
"My father died in April. 1906. neither
LETT him. nor forsook him My opening an
Office at Boscawen was that might Dc near
him. ! closed his eyes in this very house. -
He died at sixty seven years of age-aftcr
life Of exertion. toll and exposuro--a private
soldier, an officer. legislator. judge---evc-
rythng that man could be. to whom learning
never had disclosed her ample page"
My first speech atthe bar was made when
he was on the bench--he never heard me
second time.
"lIe had in him what recollect to have
been the character of some Of the old Puri
tans. He was deeply religious out not sour
--on the contrary, good bumored, facctious
showing even in bis age, with a contagious
laugh, teeth, all as white as alabastcr--gen-
tie, soft, playful--and yet having heart in
him that he seemed to have borrowed from
lion He could frown; frown it was but
cheerfulness, good humor and smiles compo-
sed his most usual aspect
Ever truly, your friend.
"DANL. WEBSTER.
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