The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-05-04
"reminiscences of Webster.

"reminiscences Of Webster.
Mrs. Webster's "reminiscences of the home
life of her husband are simply but freely
given, and two anecdotes, not before pub
| lished, illustrate his well-knOwn and sim
gular absence of mind. The first refers
to lunch party. The custom was that
the pie-dear to the Eastern heart-should
be divided according to the number of
those present. Mr.. Webster, on the oc
casion in question, having looked round
the room, deliberately carried through
the operation of carving" and, the pieces
having been distributed, he found himself
with an empty platter for his own share.
He had, while counting the guests, sue
ceeded in escaping his own notice. When
studying law cases, his habit was to
leave his books open at the places where
he had been consulting precedent or au-
thority; and a young man who was study
ing with him had adopted the habit of
following Mr.. Webster through the pas
sages consulted, in order to arrive at an
idea of the probable course of his argu-
ment. On one occasion he found in one
of the books the place marked by fifty
dollar bill Mr. Webster was VIGOROUSLY
careless in money matters, and this was
taken as sample of his forgetfulness.
When he returned to the room his atten
ton was directed to the bill. 81 haven't
missed any money!" he said; $50 1t GER
tainly cannot be mine." The young man
declared in parallel terms that it could
not be his. Mr.. Webster persisted i'll re-
fusing it, on the plea that he could. not
appropriate anything that he did not
know to be his own. The studentreplied
that he was in identically the same posi-
ton. To solve the problem, Mr.. Webster
turned to the manuscript of Fourth of
July grafton, which he had recently de-
livered, directed the student to use the
fifty dollars in having it printed, and to
keep the proceeds of the publication,
which proved to be considerable sum.
One of the most interesting episodes of
their married life was the visit to Europe,
in 1S38-39. The manner in which 1t
came about was singular. MIR. Webster
was worn by his continuous attention to
his public duties, but declined TO listen to
the most strenuous urging to recruit his
health by rest. Mrs. Webster thereupon
resorted to a very innocent stratagem to
carry her point. After consultation with
her physician, she managed to persuade
that gentleman that her system and con
dition demanded change of air and scene.
The representative of the faculty pre-
scribed trip to Europe. The ruse was
perfectly successful, and ostensibly for
the sake of his wife, Mr.. Webster was
carried off to the Old World to recruit
and enjoy the relaxation he had on his
own account declined. The entire pro-
ceeding was eminently CHARACTERISTIC of
both husband and wife. They according
ly sailed, carrying letters to many intlu-
entail persons in England, and among
others to a cousin of the Duke of Yelling
ton. They remained under that lady $
care during the whole time they
were in England, and were the recip-
tents of boundless honors and atten-
tons. Mrs. Webster speaks of Queen
Victoria in terms of great admiration and
affection. One occasion is particularly
memorable. Having been invited by her
Majesty to dine, the republican states
man and his wife were separated by the
Queen, who, taking the arm of each, seat
ed them at either side of her at the table
Leaving England, they went to France,
met Louis Philippe and Queen Amalie at
Paris, travelled over the country, and pen
etrated into Switzerland. The preva-
lence of an epidemic in Italy decided
them to leave that country unvisited.
Before returning home they went north
to Scotland, and travelled over great
part of that romantic country, toward
which Mrs. Webster still cherisheS very
warm feeling. OF the city of Edinburgh
particularly her recollections are most
pleasant. The result of this prolonged
tour was the complete re-establishment
of Mr.. Webster's health and great benefit
to both. Mrs. Webster is even now oc-
casionally reminded of their European
excursion by the arrival of strangers with
letters of introduction to her from the
friends made nearly forty years ago.
The World.
ABOUT GIANTs-John Middleton was