Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-11-06
From The Commercial Advertiser.
DANIEL WEBSTER.

3. lS46, from which we make the extract
below, and which we are sure will be read a,
this lime with unusual interest.
"l have made satisfactory arrangements
respecting my house here, the best Of which
is that can Lease it where il is, aud ye, be
comfortable, Notwithstanding the railroad.
"Ths house faces due North. Its front
windows look toward the river Merrimac.--
Blu, then the river soon turns TO the South: so
that the Eastern windows look toward the
river also. But the river has so deepened its
channel in this stretch OF il, within the last
fifty years, that we cannot see its waters,
without approaching il, or going back 10 the
higher lands behind us. The history of this
change is Of considerable importance in the
philosophy Of streams. l have observed it
practically, and know something of the ,heo-
ry Of the phenomenon but doubt whether
the world will ever be benefited, either by
my learning or my observation IN this re-
spect.
s'Lookng out OF the east Windows, at this
moment, (2 P. Nj. with beautiful snn just
breaking out, my eye sweeps rich and lev
ell HELD oil lUU dCTeS. NJ ibc chu VI ~
third of mile of, see plain marble grave
stones designating The places where repose
nv father, my brother Joseph, and my sisters
Mehitable, Abigail and Sarah; good scripture
names, inherited from their Puritan ances-
tors.
"My father! Ebenezer Webster born at
Kingston, in the lower part of the State, in
1739-the handsomest man ever saw, en-
cept my brother Ezekiel, who appeared 10
me, and so does he now seem 10 me, the ve-
ry finest human form that ever laid eyes
on. | saw him in his coflin-a white FORE
head-a tinged cheek-a complexion as
clear as heavenly 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
and leave it. Dear, dear kindred blood,
how love you all
s'This fair field is before mel could see
a lamb on any part Of it. / have ploughed
it, and raked it, and hoed it, but never
moved it. Some how, | could never learn
10 hang a scyihe | had not wit enough -
My brother Joe used to say that my father
sent me 10 college in order to make me equal
TO the rest of the children!
"Of hot day in July-it must have been
one OF the last years of Washingon's admin.
isra,ion-I was making hay, with my father,
Just where now see a remaining elm tree,
about the middle of the afternoon. The
Hon. Abiel Foster, u. c., who lived in Can
,erbury, six miles off, CALLED at the house,
and came into the field 10 see my father
He was worthy man, college learned, and
had been a minister, but was not person of
any considerable natural powers. My father
was his friend and supporter. He talked
awhile in the field, and went on his way
When he was gone, my father called me TO
him, and we sat down beneath the elm, on
hay cock. He said, MY son, that is a wor.
thy man he is member Of Congress he
goes 10 Philadelphia, and gets six dollars a
day, while toll here. 1t is because he had
an education, which | never had. If had
had his early 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 father said |,
you shall not work brother and 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
chiJ,' said he, lit is of no importance 10 me
now live but for my children; | could no
give your elder brother the advantages o
knowledge, but can do something for you
Exert yourself--improve your opportuntie
-learn-learn-and when am gone, yol
will not need 10 go through the hardship
which have undergone, and which hav'
made me all old man before my time.'
"The next May he took me TO Exeter, II
the Philips Exeter Academy placed me un
der the tuition of its excellent precepior, DR.
Benjamin Abbott, still living.
"My father died in April, 1906. neihe
lef, him, nor forsook him. My opening al
Office al Boscawen was that might be nea
him. closed his eyes in this very house
He died at sixty-seven years of age-af,er
life of exertion, toll and exposure-a private
soldier, an officer, legislator, Judge eve
ryihing that man could be, TO whom learn
Ing never had disclosed her "ample page
"Ny first speech at the bar, was mad
when he was OH the bench he never hear
me second time.
ale had in him what | recollect 10 hav
been the character of some of the old Pur
tans He was deeply religious, but not sou
on the contrary, good humored, faceiou
showing even in his age, with a contaeior
laugh, teeth, all as white as alabasier--geI
tie, soft, playlul-and yet having heart
him that he seemed TO have borrowed fro
lion. He could frown; frown il wa
but cheerfulness, good humor and smil
composed his most usual aspect.
Ever truly, your friend,
"DANIEL WEBSTER
Hon. EDWARD EVERETT, SECRETARY