New-York daily tribune., 1858-11-11
A VISIT TO MARSYFIELD.
c.r.rcss.pee Of TIE ~ y. Trisupe.

VAn started from BOston in the cars OF the Old
Colony Railroad, the other terminus Of which Is st
Plymouth, with the intention OF waiting the house
and home Of Daniel Webster. LeaVing the cars
1t Kngston, six OK seven miles from Plymouth,
.ook seat in stage coach which runs daily from
Kingston Station 10 the Careswell House at Marsh
Geld. For three miles the Fond wound among low
bills, covered with birch and pines passing occa-
sonal farm houses until we came to the Town Hall,
church and academy Of Duxbury, which stand sur
rounded by woods, with 10 other buildings near
them-the village to which they belong lying out
Of sight on the other side Of the forest.
After passing this group of edhces the country
becomes more open. The woods disappear, and
bare hills stretch as far the eye reaches 10 the
north and west. On the east the land slopes gen.
ty down 10 the sea, which is a mile or two dis
tant. These hills were once densely wooded, bat
the early settlers swept of the trees with unspar-
ing hands, not merely for profit, but from policy.
An open country over which the eye could range
for miles was of great value in Indian warfare by
preventing surprises and sudden forays, for which
the woods Oh the contrary, afforded continual ad-
vantages.
An hours ride from the railroad station brought
us 10 the Careswell-Ilou a many winged, two
storied wooden building, painted white, with green
blinds and fantastic veranda running round all
its numerous angles. Originally, the place be-
lOnged to the Winsow family, but during the last
years Of the life of Daniel Webster, Careswell was
the residence of bis Fletcher, who now lives in
his fathers mansion about mile distant and leases
his own house for seaside Summer resort. The
ocean is in view about half mile off :Hlng on a
beach seven miles in length, at each extremity of
which are lighthouses one OF which, the Gurnet,
il among the most noted Oh the coast OF NewEn
gland.
After breakfast mex. morning, walked over 10
Green Harb0r or "tbc Webster place" as the
people of Marshfeld commonly call it. Mr. Web
ster's residence, known to the world as 'Marsh-
field" from the name Of the town in which it Is
situated, is never designated in the town itself
He himself named it Green HarbOr from captain
Green, who, while running along the coast was
Overtaken by storm, and carried his vessel for
shelter into the mouth of broad creek, which an
irruptiOn of the sea had cut through Mr.. Websters
land This creek became known thereafter
Green's Harbor, or Green Harbor River, or more
familiarly as "Cut" River. 1t was the place at
which Mr. Webster kept his boats and from which
be embarked on those sailing or fishing excursions
of which he was so fond.
A long avenue, lined with trees, led from the
Careswell House to the highway, into which l
turned to the left and walked for half mile until
/ reached large weather-beaten, twO-storied
wooden house, shadowed on the east side by an
immense lime-tree. This was the WinslOw House,
one of the Oldest buildings in Massachusetts. Here
turned to the right and pursued winding road,
bOrdered by bushes Of the wild rose, sweet-briar,
blackberry and azalia. On the right hand were
cultivated fields, and on the left wood of large
trees. The land on both sides belonged to Mr..
Webster.
Keeping along this road for half mile and pass
ing two or three cottages which had been the
abOdes of Mr. Webster's larm hands, arrived at
the entrance to his homestead place, plain gate
way in q well-built stone wall on the right-hand
side of the road. This gateway led to long,
straight avenue, about thirty feet wide, bordered
Oh both sides by hawthorn hedge, behind which
we're forest trees of moderate size. walk OF
three or four minutes brought me to the front of
the mansion, which stands on gently-rising lawn.
The avenue divides where the ground begins to
rise, on the right branching off to the stables and
on the left leading TO side door Of the house. On
the lawn, between these two roads, stands the
great Webster elm whose far-spreading branches
lie against the house and sweep the ground and
whose luxuriant foliage almost entirely hides the
eastern side of the mansion, interceptng the view
of the barns and the country beyond them.
For a year or two after Mr. Webster's death the
house and grounds were freely shown to all who
came. But so great was the influx OF idlers from
all the country round, that it became necessary to
exact fee of twenty-five cents to prevent the place
from being oyerrun by picnic parties. For that
sum, however, any person can enter and view the
whole house.
knocked at the front door of the mansion.
servant promptly opened one of It's two leaves and
admitted me into hall about thirty feet long, ten
feet wide and ten feet high On the right side OF
it is low, old fashioned staircase with an eab0r-
ately carved oaken balustrade. The stairs rise
about eight feet TO square landing, from which
they turn of to the lett, and two branches go into
the upper entry-one returning toward the front
door, and the other leading INTO the back second
story entry in the direction Of the lower part OF the
fight
On the left side of the entrance hall is a sofa and
few chairs, which have been there for many years
the whole house in fact, being in nearly the same
order that it was when Mr.. Webster died. On
each side of the entrance, doors open into the par
lors Beyond the staircase Il slight frame of wood
work, apparently designed originally for the casing
of door, divides the front and back parts Of the
hall.
Many pictures hang on the sides of the hall. Be-
hind the front door the right hangs portrait, IN
crayon, by Johnson, of Mr. Webster's eldest grand
son, taken when he was child. The eyes are
large and soft, of the same shape as his grand
fathers. Opposite to il hangs crayon portrait of
Daniel Webster's second son, Edward, who died in
Mexico. The hesd is small, much under life size
and is taken nearly iii profile. The dress Is his
military uniform. Over the sofa is crayOn Like
ness of MTs. Madison, wearing turban, and appa-
rantly at about lie age OF forty. II was present
from helSelf to Dir. Webster, Beyond it hangs an
engraved portrait Of Washington. Qn the staircase
arc four or five engrayings, among them ltho-
graph of Webster, and the portrait of Dr. Kane,
which is prefxcd 10 his Arctic Explorations"
with few words upon il in his handwriting; nre.
senting il TO his friend Fletcher Webster At the
landing place, facing the front dnac, i life-size
portrait, in OIL. o! .ir. Leroy of New-Ycrk, Mrs.
Websters father. AT the back of the staircase
tbe lower hoOr is a bust Of Mr.. Isaac u. Davis.