The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-12-11
Extracts form the forthcoming Correspondence,
&C., Of Daniel Webster"
HOW MR.. WEBSTER STUDIED LAW.

HOW MR.. WEBSTER STUDIED LAW.
Arrived in Boston, looked out for an Office
wherein to study. But then as | knew none
of the legal gentlemen, and had no letter, this
was an affair of some difficulty: Some at
tempts to be received into lawyers office
failed, properly enough, for these reasons; al
though the reminiScence has since sometimes
caused me to smile
Mr.. Gore had then just returned from En-
gland, and renewed the practice of the law
lie had rooms in Scollay's Building, and as
vet he had no clerk. A young man, as little
known to Mr., sGore as myself undertook to
introduce me- to him! In logic this would
have been bad. Ig1totum per ignOttm. New
ertheless, it succeeded here. We ventured
into Mr. Cores rooms. and my name was pro-
nounced. | was shockingly embarrassed but
Mr.. Cores hahitual courtesy of manner gave
me courage to speak. | had the grace TO be-
gin with an unaffected apology; told him my
position was very awkward, my appearance
there very like an intrusion, and, if | expect
ed anything but civil dismission. it was only
founded in his known kindness and generoS-
ity of character | was from the country,
said; had studied law for two years, had come
to Boston to study year more; had some re-
spectacle acquaintances in New Hampshire
not unknown to him. but had no introduction;
that had heard he had no clerk thought il
possible that he would receive one; that
came to Boston to work and not to play; was
'mcst desrous on all accounts to be his pupils;
and all | ventured to ask at present was that
he would keep place for me in his Office till
l could write to New Hampshire for proper
letters, showing me worthy of it. delivered
this speech trippingly on the tongue, though
I suspect it was better composed than spoken.
Mr.. Gore heard me with much encouraging
good nature. lie evidently saw my embar-
rassment spoke kind words, and asked me to
sit down. My friend had already disappeared!
Mr. Gore said, what had suggested was very
reasonable, and required little apology; he did
not mean to fill his Office with clerks, but was
willing to receive one or two, and would con-
slider what had said. He inquired, and
told him, what gentlemen of his acquaintance
knew me and my father, in New Hampshire -
Among others, [ remember | mentioned Mr..
Peabody, who was Mr.. Cores classmate. He
talked to me pleasantly, for quarter of an
hour; and, when | rose to depart, he said: My
young friend you look as though you might
be trusted. You say you came to study, and
not to waste time. | will take you at your
word. You may as well hang up your hat at
once; go into the other room; take your book
and sit down to reading it, and write at your
convenience to New Hampshire for your let
eters.
II was conscious of making good stride on
ward, when had obtained admission into Mr.
Cores office. 1t was a situation which offer
ed me the means of studying books, and men,
and things. 1t was on the Goth of July,
1904 that first made myself known to Mr..
Gore; and although | remained in his office
only till March following, and that with con-
siderable intervening absences l made, as |
think some respectable progress. In August
the Supreme Court sat. ! attended it con-
stantly, and reported every one of it decisions
did the same in the Circuit Court oc the
United States. | kept little journal at that
time, which still survives. 1t contains little
beside . list of books read.
In addition to books on the common and
municipal law, find read Vattel, for the
third time in my life, as is stated in the jour
nal; Wards Law of Nations, Lord Bacon.
Elements, PqffendorfS Latin History of En-
gland, Gitford'S Juvenal, Boswell'S Tour tt
the Hebrdes, Moope's Travels and many 9th
er miscellaneous things But my main study
was the comm on law, and especially the part,
of it which relate to special pleading What
ever was in Viner, Bacon and other books
then usually studied on that part of the sci
ence, | paid my respects to. Among othe
tungs | went through Saunders Reports, thu
old olio edition, and abstracted and put int
English, out of Latin and Norman French, tn,
pleadings in all his reports. 1t was an cdify
ing work. From that day to this the form