Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-11-11

. ten ny Mr.. webster 10 an inlifnate Iriehu
in New York, dated Franklin, N. H.,
May 3, l846, from which we make the
extract below, and which we are sure
will be read at this time with unusual
interest.
81 have made satisfactory arrange
ments respecting my house here, the
best Of which 10 that | can leave II
where it is, and ye, he comfortable, not
withs,anding the railroad.
"This house faces due North. lis
front windows LOOK toward the river
Merrimack. But then the river soon
turns to the South so that the Eastern
windows look toward the river ALSO
But the river has SO dcepened its chan
mel in this stretch OF it, in the last fifty
years, that we cannot see its waters,
without approaching it, or going back
\ 10 the higher lands behind us. The
history OF this change is of considera-
bile importance in the philosophy OF
streams. l have observed it PRACTICAL
ly, and know something Of the theory of
the phenomenon but doubt whether
the world will ever be benefited, either
/ by my learning or my observation, IN
! ths respect.
Looking out al the east windows, al
this moment, e +. NJ with beauli-
iuI sun just breaking out, my eye sweeps
rich and level field OF 100 acres. AT
the eId Of it, "A third Of mile oil, ! see
plain marble grave stones, designating
the places where repose my father, my
mother, my brother Joseph, and my Sis
ters Mehitable, Abigail and Sarah; good
Scripture names, inherited from their
Puritan ancestors.
"My father. Eben"zer Webster!-
born at Kingston in the lower part OF
the = tate, in l739-the handsomest man
ever saw, except my brother Ezekiel,
who appeared 10 me, and so does he
now seem to me, the very finest human
form that ever laid eyes on. i saw
lin IN lis coiHn-a white iorehcad-a
tingcd cheek-a complexion as clear as
heavenly light But where am stray
lag?
"Thc grave has closed upon him, as
it has on all my brothers and sisters
We shall soon be altogether. But this
is clancholy-and l leave it. Dear,
dear kindred blood, how love you all
"Thls iair field is before mel could
see lamb Oh any part o! it. | have
ploughed it, and raked it, and hued 1t,
but never moved it. Some how,
could never learn to hang scythe |
had not wit enough My brother joe
used to say that my father sent me 10
college in ORDER TO make ne equal to the
rest OF the chlldrt
"Oi hot day in July-it must have
been one Of the las, years OF Washing
toms administration, | was making hay,
with my father, just where | now see a
remaining elm tree, about the middle Of
the afternoon. The Hon. Abiel Foster,
y
miles off, called at the house, and came
into the field TO see my la,her. He was
a worthy man, college learned, and had
been a minister, but was not person
Of any consl derable natural powers
My father was his friend and supporter
He talked awhile IN the field, and went
OH his way. " hen he was gonr, my
father called me to him, anu we sat
down beneath the elm, on a hay cock
lie said, My son, that is a 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 an education, which 4 never had .
If had had his early education, | .
should have been in Philadelphia i'll his
place. l came near il as 1t was. But
missed ii, and now | must work here .
My dear father said l, you shall not .
work. Brother and will work for you,
and wear our hands out, and you shall I
rest'-and l remember TO have crled,-
and cry now, at the recollection. My ]
child said he, 1T is OF no importance to
mel now live but for my children |
could not give your elder brother the
advantage of knowledge, but can do I
something for you. Exert yourself-
improve your opportunities - learn
learn-and when am gone, you will I
not need to 20 through the hardshlps
which have undergone, and which
have made me an old man before my
tlmc.' H
"The next May he took me to Ex-
e,er, to the Philips Exeter Academy
placed me under the tuition OF It's excel ~
len, preceptor, Dr. benjamin Abbott |
suIl living. Il
My father died in April, ls0G. /
neither lett him, nor iorsook him. My !
opening AN olhc, at Duscowan was that u
| might be near him. | closed his eyes, \
in this very house. lie died at sixty |
seven years OF agc--aitcr life OF eNer'
tion, toll and exposure IA private soi-
der, an officer, IA Legislator, a Judge I
every thing that man could be, To
whom learning never had disclosed her !
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