New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-12
PERIODICALS.

The opening article of the North American Re
view is devoted 10 exposition of tie views OF MI
Charles Deane distinguished Massachusetts anti
quarry with regard TO the veTacty OF the famous
Eoneer of colonization in Virginia Capt John Smith
The writer il must be admitted, makes out strong
ease against the adventurer whose name Is connected
with so many romantic associations, and throws Sc
Sious doubt on the received opinions concerning the
sarly history OF Virginia. The wonderful legend OF
the lovely Pocahontas is declared TO be without
foundation. the narrative of Smith, it is minated
VIVA the production of Underwriters. and the rcadi-
ness with which it received at the TINE OF us
publication is less remarkable than the ciedulty
which has left il unQueStiOned almost to the present
dayp Mr.. PartOn's article on Daniel Webster,
Shough perhaps not piQuant as blS previous spark
confusion among the solid men cl Boston, by us
rough handling Of popular IDOL Inc paper is III
PRODUCED with some sage moral reflections when
have a richer SAVIOR of the pulpit than OF the usual
vein of the author. Wcbsters leading TRAIT, Mr.
Parton asserts,Was his enormous physical magnetism
His presence overwhelmed criticism. His intimacy
fascinated it, Fidgety men were quoted by ms
majestic calm Women were spcllhOund by it. Ii
gave the public sense of IepOsc. When he p1'Sed
up or down Safest. WIN an arm oe ttnain,d
his back, business was br0uglt 10 sliuid
stall Webster never a student. lie alb
Borbed knowledge. but did not work FOL, 1t.
n Latin lac was eXccled by some Of ms own class:
Greek ho never enjoyed. For mathematics he had
not the slightest taste. At college, he was only an
omnivorous reader lie barely passed muster IA The
shows that he was formed 10 The product OF other
Snenfs toll not to add to the common fund. At the
same time, he was an innocent young man. lis wild
oats were not sowi IN the days OF ms youth lie was
always under the influence OF others. Nature made
him not to lead, bnt 10 follow. In the early flush
end VigOr OF ms life, he gave thousand evidences
of a good heart and of yrtnOus habits, but not one
Of q superior understanding. The total absence OF
the skeptcal spirit betrayed his want OF bodness and
originality. LII period of transition no young man
ofatruly eminent intellect accepts his fathers creeds
without first calling them IN question. But no new
hight ever lumined The mind of Daniel Webster. As
as he came of age. he joined the Congregational
Church. The candOr of his Judgment was impaired
by religious prejudice In this respect he never lost
ms naTTOWntss ana ignorance. ia mo Time OF his
celebrity he preferred the Episcopal, as the most
genteel religion His political pTeudices were equally
strong. He was of slow growth HIS powers dld not
reach their f development till he was nearly fifty
years OF age. lie had 10 practical wisdom. From
the year 1852 to the end OF his life he suffering the
process of moral and mental deterioration. His ma
serial part gained upon his spiritual lie had an
enormous capacity for physical enjoyment, and be-
SaIne great hunter, fisherman, and farmer lover
of good wine, and good dinners, ana most J0vlal
sompaniOn But his mind was fed chiefly upOn past
acquisitions. There is nothing in his later efforts
which shows any intellectual advance. He never
bTowsed in forests before ntrOdden, or fed III pas
lures new. For the last ten years OF his life, though
ne spent many thousand dollars on his library, he
had almost ceased to be an intellectual being His
peeuniary habits demOralized him. "EIe was not
OF those who find in the happiness and prosperity
of their country, and IN the esteem Of their fellow
citizens, their own sufficient and abundant reward
tor serving hcr lie Pined for something lower
smaller-s0methlng personal aud vulgar. He had no
relgiOH-not the least tinCtlre OF it aud he seemed
OF last in his dealings with individuals to have
conscience. What lac called his rel giOn had no effect
whatever upon the conduct Of his life it made him
80 to church, talk plOusly, puff the clergy aud
patrouize Providence no more" He was one Of
those who fell before the scducOns OF his place He
would accept retaining fees and never look into the
handles Of papers which accompanied them, III which
were nclosed the hopes and the fortune Of anxious
households. He would receive gifts of money, and
toss INTO his wasiepaper basket the LIST OF the gIyeTs
halr frfr rl.4H F.t.s Ilul
rauding them OF che only TecOmpense in his power to
grant, ana the only one they wished" Nh. Parton
gives an admirable description OF the element of the
vast winch formed such an extraordinary feature in
Daniel Webster's composition.
Ia surveying the life and works Of this eminent and
FITTED man. we are continually struck with the evidences
~ his magnitude. He was have said very LARGE
person His brain was within little OF being one-thrd
argcr thah te average, tniJ ~ was one OF the largest
three record His bodily frame, in all lis parts was on
majestic scale, and lis presence was immense lie
liked large Gins, great oaks mighty
Dnlls and wide fields, the ocean, the Union and al
things OF magnitude. nc liked great Rome far better
than refined Groese and Ieveled in the immense things
Of literature such Paradise Lost and the Book OF Job
Homer he never cared much for-nOr, indeed, anything
reck lie hated he loathcd the act Of writing Ri,
ards tenpns chess draughts, whist he Ieished
though fond 20 OF door pleasures like hunting
fishing yachting He liked 20 be alone with great Ma
sounding se0alone all day with his gum his dog and his
th9nghts,aone IN Che morning mo- before any one was
nous sunrise what delicious picture Of this large, healthy
con Of Earth Mr lHnan gives US whese ne describes hs
ont deep sleep by shouting, Awae Eluggardi and
upOD this glorious scene for the sky and the
enYcioped In nancsp He akin TO all large, slow
Lhngs IN nature herd Of fine cattle gave bin keen,
s,D exbanstibIe enjoyment but he never tastedV
horse; he had no h0rse enthusiasm. In England he
chiefly enjoyed these five things, the Tower Of London
farming aud Sir Robert Peel Sir Robert Peel he thought
was head and shoulders any other man" he had
aver met. He greatly eyceled. to0 IN describing inn
nonse things. IN speaking OF the Pyramids, once he
,sIted Who can inform MS by what now unknown ma
hines mass vas thus aggregated to nase, and quarry
iIleg Oh quarry, ~ sold granite seemed 10 cover the