The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-16
DeaieI Webster-Some New Anecdotes
OF h Old Statesman.

Correspondence OF the Providence (R. H.
Journal.
Few men were ever in his society, ever
% short time, who didnot bring away some
interesting anecdote TO tell about him.
$ometimes | regret not having noted down
somcof those, at least, which have heard
from others. One occurs to ME at this
moment which illustrates his somewhat I'M
reasonable sensitivencss. Light and shade
set oil q great picture. 1t was told me by Il
Gentleman residing near II city, whose
uame | will not give he was, not many
years since, however, Speaker of the
House Of Representatives. His father,
some forty years ago or more, kepl
the public house in Sandwich, Mass:
There were w others, Newcome's and
Swiit's: but his was the hotel. 1T was a
~tayoritc resort with Mr.. Webster. He had
i room appropriated to himself. He used
10 90 there with his witc-hls hrst Vile
Grace Fletcher. On one occasion, return
ing alone from court, from Nantucket, he
stoned, as usual. for the night, and found
his room ready aud light burning. After
he had gone TO sleep up drove lillpurn
Whitman, Il famous lawyer IN flylnouth
county, and the greatest Snorer III All Mas
-arhlscttS. Ii was said Of him that at a
session of the court in Taunton once, he
snored Il sleeping companion into such Il
nightmare that his screams brought the
whole household into the room, but kllburn
was still snoring. He wanted lodging. The
host told him he had only one spare bed,
which was in Mr.. Webstcr's room. and he
dared not put him III there. hllburn said he
would make it all right with Mr.. Webster.
The host said. '.Goto Newcomc's': but Kill
barn persisted. and went up to Mr.. Web
~tcr's room, while the host and his wife
retired for the night. In about half an
hour they were aroused by Il great knock
ing at their door. On opening it, there
stood Mr.. Webster, looking black as he
only could look when angry. What did
yoC put hat sperm whale into my room
for? He shores loud enough to wake the
whole South Atlantic" The host made
every possible explanation, and brought
Kilburn down and put him on the sofa for
the night. But Mr.. Webster was never after
a guest in that house.
y single other anccdotc, illustrative OF
Mr., Webster's charm as talkcr, and / shall
presume upon the provCrbial kindness of
the gentleman from whom l heard 1t to give
his name. DR.. Caswell, president Of Brown
University, told me that, returning from
New York in i steamboat some twenty
wears ago and more, Mr.. Webster was on
board, walking to and fro in the cabin. 1t
was his custom, and he was right God
made him TO be looked at as well as listened
TO. Meeting the Doctor, and extending his
hand, he said IN his most gracious manner {:
"Good evening, Professor Caswell l sup
pose you have forgotten me. l once had the
pleasure OF examining You as a witness in
the 'Sargents trench case" j will not say
that our most excellent President was fiat
tered ythe recognition, but he was younger
then, and had not achieved all his honors.
Mr.. Webster, continuing, remarked: care
YOU alone and quite at liberty Let us find q
char And, seating themselves side by
SIDE, Ar. Webster began to talk on u mat
yer german TO the Sargent's trench ease,
tie "aler'power occupied and unoccupied
! N New England. DR.. Casweil told me that