Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-01-20
VOL. X---NO. 20
PRIVATE LIFE OF WEBSTER.

. MIR. Charles Lanman, the late Secrctary's
Secretary, has published YOlume with the
above title, in which we find many things new
and interesting, with much that the public were
acquainted with already. The book has appas
Irertly been thrown together in haste. We elm ,
,a new fact or two from its pages to add interest
10 our own.
I As boy, he was exceedingly quick 10 learn,
but inclined TO deness. At the age Of seven,
he was remarkably fne, soporops reader, and
used to arnuse the tearnsiers al his fathers tav-
ern by reciting the psalms Of David from the
hymn book, mounted upon chair in the bar,
In reply 10 Mr.. Lahman's inquiry how he looked
as schoolmaster, Mr.. Webster replied Lone.
slender, pale, and all eyes; indeed, went 6y
The name of all eyes, the country round' When
Ia young man, he was thought to be consumptiye!,
Just before becoming member of the Bostoi
bar he was offered, but declined. an appointment
4 which would have yielded 81 500 year; upor,
hearing which his father said, Well my son,
your mother always said that You would comd
Ito something-become somebody or a nobody;
\ 1t is row settled that you are TO be noboly.,!
Six months after, Daniel paid all his fatheris
4 debts, from the profits of his legal business
! Mr.. Webster inspired the strongest feelings OF
affection and admiration in those around him.
John Taylor, his steward, once said 10 Mr.. Lam
man, III saw abullet coming TO Mr.. Webster,s
heart, would jump in the way of il, and re-
.ceise it myself Mr.. I,anman says, He va;
the best friend ever had; and as he taught tsS
all know, God grant that may hereafter en-
Iulate his manifold virtues And again, tEyerv
man in the State Department was his personal
friend He made it point not to read articles
about himself, unless informed that they con-
tanned erroneous statements which ought 10 be
contradcted. In speaking of the nomination.
he showed no signs of bitterness or disappoint-
ment On one occasion he said, with trerItl-
lous voice, and tears in his eyes, Thank God,
one thing is certain, they could not take away
from me what have done for my country
He was accustomed TO speak in high praise OF
General Scott, and to say that Congress ought
to make him Lieutenant General. He smoke
warmly also, of General Pierce, saying that
Frank was a smarter man than people thought
him TO be- Daniel Webster was believer in
the sea serpent, and thought he had seen one off
The coast of Massachusetts. While Secretary
of State, he was generally the first to be at the
Department. and the last TO leave it. He was q
very early riser, being usually one Of the first
visitors At the market in Washington. and free
lquently going on fishing excursions before
Ibreak fast. He once said TO his secretary, you
Icannot Eame the fee which value half as much
Jas do morning walk over my farm, the sight
of dozen yoke of my oxen ploughing one OF
my fields, or the breath Of my cows, and the
pure ocean air. He had no taste for indoor
Iamusements, and meyer in his life playeda game
of chess draughts, billiards or tell-pins, but
would occasionally play afew games Of whist,
Fishing, shooting, and yachting were his pas
lsions. He earned enormous sums of money
his last fee being 81 OOO-but he spent care
Ilessly and gave profusely. Mr.. Lanman re-
members one week in which he sent $50 on
800 TO six persons, (none of whom he had ev-
er seen, in answer to begging letters. He was
profuse in dress, and punctilious observer Of
The etiquette of the table. Here are few SEN
tepces much too interesting not to be quoted,
word for word. Speaking of Webster's play.
fulness, our author says: When at either Of his
country residences, he was always the first to
leave his bed in the morning, and often, from
that time until breakfast, he made extensive use
Iof his lungs, by shouting and singing, and gem
ernlly concluded with the remark that if there
was one thing which he understood above ali
iothers, il was singing. He had tondness, toe,
for spelling out in the most unheard of mannak,
the various familiar remarks which he had ocl
casion to utter. The lowing of cow or the
eawing Of crow has sometimes started him 10
initiate not only those creatures with his own
liza. u, oZ-lT IA. IfN . LLIII u o. a.
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Wanted