The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-01-05
For the Middlcbury Register.
Webster's Social Powers.
Mr.. EDIToR

MR.. EDITOR
Knowing that you feel a deep in
terest in whatever relates to the history
and character of the late lamcntcd WEB.
srER, l take the liberty of giving a brief
and imperfect sketch Of an occurrence
which TRANSFERRED o little more than a
year ago, in connection with one of my
townsmcn, by whom the particulars were
related to inc at the time
The narrator, one of our substantial
practical farmers,--indeed, a man who
in my. boyhood had labored on my faith
theirs farm but who had since become a
man of substance, though he retained al;
the unsophisticated and laborious habits
of his early days,-had occasion to go
TO Boston with his wife to visit daugh-
ter married and settled there While in
that city, quite at loss what to do with
his time, as he was unaccustomed to idle
ness he concluded, though democrat
of the old school, to call on WEBSTER,
for whom, in spite Of the difference in
their political crecds, he had ever felt
the highest respect. Accordingly, with
his wife and daughter, he called into the
Revere House, and leaving them in the
sitting room, told the bar-keepcr that he
should like to see the great statesman.
who was then stopping there. Under
the impression that he had business, he
was shown into Mr.. WEBsTEns room
and, nothing dauntcd, proceeded to ex-
plain the object of his call--that he was
on a visit to the city, and having desire
to make his acquaintance had called il
accordingly. Mr. WEBSTER saw into
the case at once, and, with the utmost
good nature, entered into the spirit OF
the affair; talked freely upon various
topics discussed agricultural questions
as to the resources, soil and productions
of Vermont, inquired kindly after our
venerable cx-mcmber of Congress, Doc
tor Luther Jewett, with whom he was
formerly acquainted and in fine, in the
course Of a few minutes, my democratic
friend was completely captivated witt
his new acquaintance, and fairly forgo
that the personal intercourse between
them was of so recent date.
lie then stated to his entertainer that
his wife and daughter were below, ant
would also like to see him. With the
utmost condcscension, and freedom from
anything like display, he told him tc
to show them up and in like manner pro
ceeded to make the ladies feel as much
at home, during their brief stay, as theii
attendant and relative had been.
These particulars received from the
lips of my fcllow.t Ownsman himself, and
there has been nothing in the history Of
that illustrious man, whose loss we de.
plore, which has shown more amiable
traits of character than this incident
considering all the circumstances of the
case.
The visit of my friend, as narrated
above, served to excite my envy in one
respect. Though residing in Boston
from 1926 to 1929, and one summer
within five rods of WrDsTER's residence,
at the corner of Summer and High
Streets, yet never had the pleasure Of
seeing or hearing him; though | once
started for Fancuil Hall,one fourth Of Ju.
ly, | think,to hear HIM, but his fame was
so great even then, that, being little
late, l was unable to get near the place.
ii. X.