The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-06-29

IRichard B. Kimban in The Dartmouth.

NhAL III ~ AAADA@A - 4AS
Shortly after Fenimore Cooper's death
there was a meeting of literary men in the
city of New York, in the Governors room
at the City Hall. Washington Irving pre-
sided. A committee was appointed to make
arrangements for a suitable recognition. of
the event, and further, to raise funds for
! the erection of a monument to the memory
of the deceased novelist.
At our first meeting Mr.. Bryant was Sc
lected to deliver the eulogy, and his accep'-
ance was speedily obtained. After various
propositions, DIR. Rufus Griswold, who was
the leading spirit throughout, suggested
that we should, if possible, get Mr.. Webster
to preside on the occasion. Mr.. Webster
was soon TO pass through New York on his
way TO Washington, and 1 availed myself of
the circumstances to see him personally on
the subject. | called on him at the Astor
House and stated my errand. He seemed
somewhat aiken back at the proposition,
and asked me if l thought it would be quite
appropriate.
seems to me you should select one for this
office"
mfr. Webster" | replied, 1--WE certainly
claim you as such. You will be judged by
your printed works, and printed works in
stitute literature"
He considered a moment and then said:
Il have engaged to deliver a discourse before
your Historical Society the last week in
February. If you can arrange your meeting
for about the same time i will preside at it"
At the appointed hour | drove to the As
tor House for Mr.. Webster and brought him
to the Hall. On the way he repeated twice
TO himself:
'Tl.e applause OF listening Senates command"
Turning suddenly to me he exclaimed:
"YOungster, what Is the line Immediately
succeeding that2P
Tho question came Sn nnpNpectQdlU that
1 could not answer it. We happened TO be
Just opposite Randolph's bookstore. Stop
ping the carriage. l jumped out and pro-
cured a copy of ''Gray's Elegy," came back
and read the lines Mr.. Webster wished for,
and we proceeded on our way.
An amusing incidentoccurreda at the open
ing. Mr.. Irving, whose duty it was, as
Chairman of our Committee, 10 announce
Mr.. Webster, came forward in his shy,
frightened manner, to go through with his
task, when some one seated exactly in front
of him among the audience rose. and, before
Mr.. Irving could get out a word, shouted at
the top of his voice: Three cheers for the
author of the sketch Book" The cheers
were given, to Mr.. Irving's utter dismay and
discontinue. He stammered out Mr.. Web
ster's name and some inarticulate words
about presiding" then, quickly retreating.
he seated himself quite away from obser-
walton.
MI. " eDSltI ODtuluS ItludI hS.lllc tulOSN
of Mr.. Bryant. the brilliant speeches which
followed. and Mr.. Webster's closing SEN
fences were carefully reported in the daily
journals. | observed that he used the quo
tation from "Gray's Elegy'' while speak
ing, showing that his mind was occupied
with the subject as we rode along.
The assembly broke up at a late hOu-. l
had engaged to bring Mr.. Webster Il the
Century Club after we had concluded. where
a handsome collation. had been prepare.
The club rooms, at that time, were near by
in Broadway. We found a large gathering
already assembled, and, after a long address
of welcome by the venerable Chief Justice
of the Superior Court, Samuel Jones, gen
eral in~troductions followed Mr.. Web
ster remained all the time stand
ing near the head of the table. After
some pleasant observations he remarked
that he perceived there were several artists
in the company.
Perhaps, gentlemen. you are not aware, "
he said. i'that many years ago we had in
this country two famous pictures by Van
dyke" naming them.
At this announcements some of the artists
exchanged glances with each other, as much
as 10 say, "He is out of his reckoning this
time"
THE circumstances were these" contin-
ued Mr.. Webster. There was a wealthy
Hollander who, shortly after the beginning
of the present century, came TO America,
and took up his residence about fourteen
miles from Washington. He was the
owner of the two pictures l have men
toned. : A portion of his family remained
in Holland. At his death, in dividing his
property, he left TO a daughter who lived in
New York those two paintings, or a certain
number of guilders, as she should elect.
Now, gentlemen" continued Mr.. Webster,
with an air of intense disgust, this lady ;
husband was in trade, and he took the
guilders, and the paintings were packed up
and sent back to Holland. l was in Con-
gress at the time, and went with a friend
to see them before they were carried away"