Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-11-25

lew Gays DeIOFe HIS ucdlu' LdTSe gaps
intervene in the correspondence of this ex-
tended period, there being, in fact, whole
years in which not letter of Mr.. Webster
appears, his correspondents having neglect
ed to preserve them. The letters of the
last and most important years of his life are
by far the most numerous and interesting.
The following extracts giving Mr.. Web
ster's description of THos. JEFFERSON, and
the latter's opinion of PATRICK HENRY, are
interesting ....... -.
Thomas Jefferson Described by Daniel
Webster.
$3.50. OF DECEMBER, 1924.
Mr.. Jefferson is now between eighty-one and
eighty-two, above six feet high, of an ample,
long frame, rather thin and spare. His head,
which is not peculiar in its shape lie set rather
forward on his shoulders; and his neck being
long, there IL, when he is walking or convers-
ing, an hsbitual protrusion of il. 1t is still
well covered with hair, which, having been
once red, and now turning gray, is Of an indis-
tiDct sandy color.
His eyes are small very light, and now ne-
Their brilliant nor striking. His chin is rather
long, but not pointed. His nose small, regular
in its outline, and the nostrils little elevated.
His mouth is well formed and still filed with
teeth; it is strongly compressed, bearing an
expression of contentment and benevolence.
His complexion, formerly light and freckled,
now bears the marks of age and cutaneous
affection. His limbs are uncommonly long; his
hands and feet very large, and his wrists of an
extraordinary size. His walk is not precise
and military, but easy and swinging. He stOops
a little not so much from age as from natural
formation. When sitting, he appears short,
partly from a rather Longing habit of sitting
and partly from the disprOPOrtianate length of
his limbs.
His dress, when in the house, is gay surtout
coat kerseymere stuff waistooat, with an I'M
der one faced with some material of dingy
red. His psntaoons are very long and loose
and Of the same color as his coat. His stock
ings are wooden, either white or gray; and his
shoes of the kind that bear his name His
whole dress is very much neglected, but not
sovenly. he wears q common round hat. His
dress, when on horseback, is a gay straight
bodied coat, and spencer of the same mate
rial, both fastened with large pearl buttons.
When we first saw him, he was riding; and, iG
addition to the above articles Of apparel, wore
round his throat knit white woollen tppet,
in the place of oravat, and black velvet gal
tars under bis pantaloons. His general appear
ance indicates an extraordinary degree of
health, vivscity and spirit. His sight is still
good, for he needs glasses only in the evening.
His hearing is generally good, but number OF
voices in animated conversation confuse it.
Mr. Jefferson rises in the morning as soon as he
see the hands of his clock, which is directly
opposite his bed, and examines his thermometer
Immediately, as he keeps a regular meteorological
diary. He employs himself chiefly in writing till
breakfast which is at nine. From chat time till
dinner be is in his library, excepting that in fair
weather he rides on horseback from seven TO four
teen miles. Dimes at four, returns to the drawing
room at six when coffee is brought in, and passes
the evening till nine in conversation. His habit of
retiring at that hour is strong that il has be-
come essential to his health and comfort. His diet
is simple, but he restrained only by his taste
His breakfast is tea and coffee, bread always fresh
from the oven, Of which he does not afraid,
with sometimes a slight accompaniment of cold
meat. He enjoys his dinner WELL taking with his
meat large proportion Of vegetables. He has
strong preference for the wines Of the Continent
of which he has many sorts OF excellent quality,
having been more than commonly successful in his
mode OF importing and preserving them. Among
others We found the following, which very rare
in this country, and apparently all injured by
transportation: L'Ednau, Muscet, Samian, and
BlAnchette de Lmoux. Dinner is served in half
Vrgnian, halt French style, in good taste aud
abundance. No wine is put on the table till the
cloth is removed.
In conversation, Mr. Jefferson is easy and natu-
raj and apparently not ambitious; il is not loud, as
challenging gene raj attention. but usually address,
ed to the person next him. The topics, when not
selected TO suit The character and feelings Of his
auditor, are those subjects with which his mind
seems particularly occupied; and these, may be
said TO be science and letters, and especially the
University Of Virginia, which is coming into eIiss
tence almost entirely from bis exertions and will
rise, Il Is TO be hoped, 90 usefulness and credit
der bis continued care. When we were with him,
his favorite subjects Greek aud Ango-Sa1on,
historical recolleetions of the times aud events OF
she Revolution, and Of his resi- enee in France from
l7S3-4 10 1889.
Mr.. JKTFERsoN's ACCOUNT OF PATRICK HENRY
Patrick Henry originally bar.keeper. He
was married very young and going into some bus
mess, on his own Socount, bankrupt before
the year out When l was about the age of IF.
teen, left the school here, to 60 TO the college
st Williamsburgh. / stopped few days at
friends in the county of Louisa There frst saw
and became acquainted with Patrick Henry. Hav-
ing spent the Christmas holidays there proceeded
to WilEamsburgh Some question about my
admission, as my preparatory studies had not been
pursued at the school connected with that institu
ton. This delayed my admission about a fort
night at which time Henry appeared 10 Williams.
burgh, and applied for license TO practice law,
having commenced the study of il at or subse-
quentiy to the time OF my meeting him in Louisa.
There were four examiners, Wythe, PcndletOn, Pey.
son Randolph and John Randolph. Wyhe aud
Pcndleton at once rejected his application The
two Randolpbs, by his importantly, prevail>
ed upon to sign the license; and having obtained
their signatures, be applied again to Pendeton,
and after much entreaty and many promises OF fu
ture study, succeeded in obtaining his He then
turned out for a praeueing lawyer. The first case
which brought him into notice Il a contested
election, in which he appeared counsel before
a committee Of the House OF Burgesses. His Sc
cond was the Parsons cause. already well known.
These and similar efforts obtained for him so
much reputation, that he was elected Member OF
the Legislature. He was as well suited 10 the
times as any man was and il is not now easy
90 say what should have done without Patrick
Henry. He was FAR before all in maintaining the
spirit Of the Revolution. His influence most
extensive with the members from the upper eoun-
ties and his boldness aud their votes OveraWed
and controlled the more cool or the more timid
Aristocratic gentlemen Of the lower part Of the
State. His eloquenee Was peculiar, II indeed il
should be called eoquence; for u Was impressive
aud sublime, beyond what be imagined. Al
though Il was difficult when he had spok en- 10 tell
what be bad said yet while he speaking, IL
always seemed directly 20 the point When he
had spoken IN opposition 20 my opinion, had pro-
duced great effect aud myself been highly dc
lighted and moved, have asked myself when he
ceased: "Whai the devil has be sAidY' / could
never answer the inquiry. His person OF fun
sac, and bis manner and voice free aud mAnly.