The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-03-04
LETTERS FROM THE CAPITAL.
WAsUINcToN. Februaru 2S. /

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WASHINGTON, February 2S, 1852
The address of Mr.. Webster before the New
York Historical Society is considered by many
here as his greatest literary effort cannot
so regard it. Though with many beautiful and
eloquent passages, though displaying much
learning and refined taste, it seems somewhat
to lack directness, power, and consolidation. IL
spreads itself over too much ground. and aims
at too many points. 1t is not 80 completely
symmetrical as some former efforts of this
great master of English 1t is more of re-
view or an essay, than an address the tone is
in parts more conversational than oratorical.
Yet it is strongly, peculiarly, unmistakabls,
Websterian throughout. 1t bears the image
and superscription of the granite statesman,
not only in its pure and flowing style, drawn
G'esh and pure from swell of English unde-
filed" but in the prodigal outlay Of Greek and
Latin; in frequent quotations from our own
classics, Shakespeare, Milton and Gray but
most of all, in the eloquent closing-up tributes
to the Constitution and the Union, with solemn
reference to the perils dire and dark which
menace them now. Can it be that these, to us,
gigantic phantoms are monstr0us realities to
his prophetic vision That wherever he goes,
in lofty halls of State, or gay, social baDquets,
dread portents fame and black chasms yawn
about him. That his lugubrious muse, whom
we sometimes smile at as half distraught, is in
truth an inspired Cassandra, foreseeing with
her wild, gloomy eyes, the abandonment Of
our central citadel of power, the confagration
of our lofty political structures--tower after
tower rocking and falling in the red deyouring
flames of discord and disuDion
The speech which Mr.. Webster lately made
in New York, at "The Cooper Festival was
remarkable for its brevity and beauty, and
also as containing no tributes to the Union and
the Constitution, no admiring and dutful allu-
sions to New Hampshire and Massachusetts
1t contains one passage ! must quote as an elo-
quent tribute to writer's of taste and culture,
and of moral and religious principle, and as
embodying q great truth, old as the world
ITSELF yet which takes new force and vitality
from such an unloOked-for endorsement; as
Israel was thrice blessed in the involuntary
and divinely inspired words bursting from the
lips of the chief prophet of the Moabte princes,
He said, in his own deeply impressive manner,
doubtless
Ladies and gentlemen, is there anything
more to be desired than that reputation which
is made by addressing the taste and the cult
walton, the morality and religion of civilized
men in civilized country! Can any person
deserve more praise than he who contributes to
the literature and to the moral culture of the
age in which he lives should not be here
tonight, ladies and gentlemen, to raiss my
feeble voice in praise of Fennimore Cooper,
however distinguished by genius, talent educa-
ton, and the art Of popular writing II, in the
character of his writings there was anything
to undermine the principles of our religious
faith, or to debauch the morality Of the coun-
try Nothing could atone, in genius or in tai
snt for such sn injury as that would be to
the young and rising generations Of the CON-
munityO
On Thursday evening last, Miss Davenport,
the distinguished actress and elegant woman,
gave reading in this city. She is great ia |
vorite here; but in consequence Of an imperfect
announcement her audience was small. She
bore herself with much sweetness and grace
under circumstances so trying to an artistic OF
her reputation-proying, what her friends in
deed needed no proof of, that she was quite un-
spoiled by admiration and adulation. Had a
crowded house greeted her sntree with tumult-
uous applause, she could hardly have smiled
more graciously, manifested more amiabe
desire to please, or seemed more inspired by
enthusiasm. She read Romeo and juliet
with rare correctness, many felicities Of tone
and manner and true imprisoned feeling
Juliet was, as you may suppose, her best part
but her Mercutio was very good, and her Nurse
admirable. Romeo she made the twin OF lu-
liet, .with the self-same mother voice and face "
II struck me that there was scarcely contrast
enough apywhere--in some places hardly q
distinction. Yet am not sure but that there
was a deep though unconscious philosophy in
this True love works such marvellous Like
nesses in look and tone sometimes. and lovers
grow to be mirrors, echoes, and infinite repeti-
tons of each other. In her Juliet, Miss Dayen-
ports finest passage, rs remember it to have
been in her stage personation, was the scene
where she swallows the sleeping draught
Wild horror ut the phantoms her Inauguration
coniures up. paints itself upon her face, and
shudders in her voice. Finally, in that most
touching Of all the mournful death-scenes OF
Shakespeare, that of Juliet by the dead body OF
her young husband, the last agonies Of break
ing heart were patbetically and passionately
rendered.
You need not TO be told that Miss Daven-
port in private life is very charming person.
that she graces the drawing-room rs she
sdorns the stage and ever bears about with
her an air Of winning modesty and lady-like
that the coming summer with
the JOY Of sunshine and of flowers il will bring
Will hardly compensate many Of us for bearing
from our shores this fair daughter of England,
had the pleasure Of meeting her at din
ner-parsy yesterday given at the National Ho-
se'. ny the way, this party was . most pleas |
ant OCCASION. Il was given BY Mr.. Butler, Of
New York, TO the Indiana Delegation. After
. sumptuous repa& We wsse delighted BY |
many witty and elegant sentiments, and some !
eloquent though brief speeches Mr.. Souls |
spoks happily and mslodionsly = usnal--Gen-
srsl Lane made few characteristics remsrks |
Full Of the genuine pioneer spirit--Mr. Bstes |
The Rowlsnd Hill Of ths AmsYican Postses rs.