The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-09-24

TIE HOME OF DANIEL WEBSTER
Burleigh" of the Boston Journal has
been visiting the old home of Daniel
Webster at Marshfeld, and writes as fol-
lows about it -
Mr.. Webster bought the Marshfed
property in 1882, though he commenced
residing there in 1927. At the time Of
his death it was supposed that he owned
not far from two thousand acres. Much
of that was contracted for during bis last
sickness, and the deed, we're never passed.
Much of hls estate has been sold, but the
house and the grounds surrounding it are
still held by the family. The forest Of
trees belts the house and secures privacy
to the inmates, who can walk on the great
lawn without observation, which arrange
" ent makes this abode SO much like the
counlry-seats of English noblemen. Every
one OF these trees was planted by Mr..
Webster. As you approach the man,ion
the air of decay and dilapidation appears
on all sides. The beautiful wire fence
to protect the lawn has wholly disappeared
and the posts, like gaunt scntinels, only
remain.
The house is under the control of Mrs.
Fletcher Webster, whose home is in
Quincy. She is now with her son, ASH
burton at the mansion. With great
Kindness she allows the friends OF her
husbands father to see such portions of
the house as will not disturb the family
AS far as possible everything is kept as
when Mr.. Webster occupied the house.
His office, into which he retired for his
morning work, is small one story wood
en- bnllding on the opposite side of the
lawn from the dwelling. 1t was once
white. The storms fnany winters have
beat upon ii since the hand Of the great
master was laid cold in death. The
blinds are closed, and an air Of gloom
SUR rounds it. The library in the house
is down stairs, and with the dining room
and guest,' chamber, which open into
each other, were the last additions Mr..
Webster made to the place. The library
was planned by Julia, his favorilc child.
1t is one story, but the roof Is brought
into the room and makes the hight Lofty
and imposing. Its form is ociagon. Six
elegant black walnut book cases are placed
symmeirically round the room. His
writing chair, high. backed and stufftd,
covered with red morocco, with the
table, books and papers, remain as the
great statesman left them. Two days
before he diei he came down stairs to
greet some guests. He held in one hand
Malacca rod which he always held in
his hands when he went about the farm,
which was brought home by Fletcher
from China. In his other hand he held
white slouched hat.
lie received his guests in his library, and
sat in his fa,OiiIc chair at the table
Two days after he had passed away, over
fine portrait of him by Heady, the rod
was placed, and on it the hat was hung.
on which it never has been removed.
Everything remains on the table as Mr..
Webster left it. Fine portraits of Mr..
Webster and earlier Mrs Webster, of
Lord Ashhurn, his children, Edward,
Fletcher, lila, and fine marble bust Of
Plus y, and other painings, adorn the
room The guests chamber, the dining
room, the breakfast room and the recep.
ton room open one into another.
The room in which Mr.. Webster died
is reached by the grand staircase, filled
with portraits and statues of noblenlen,
with whom Mr.. Webster was brought
into contact during his long public life.
lie died IN the northwest chamber, a
small but pleasant room. The furniture
is OF bird'seye maple, with cottage
twothir'ls bed, as it is called. This
room is unchanged. The bed WAS rolled
into the middle of the room that he
might view the lake in the rear of his
house. Here he ordered his ''home
squadron" AS he called his yachts, to be
moored that he might see them, and or
dered lights TO be placed at the mast
heal during the night His favorite
cattle were driven up that he might look
on them once more. SIT makes my heart
bound" he said" "to hear their heavy
breathing"