The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-08-10
A "REMINISCENCES OF WEBSTER.

Richard B. Kimball, in the Dart.
mouth, says: Shortly after Fenimore
Cooper's death there was n meeting Of
literary men in the city Of New York,
in the Governors room ut the City
Hall. Washington Irving presided.
A committee was appointed to mako
arrangements for suitable recogni-
ton OF the event, and further TO raise
funds for the erection OF monument
to the memory Of the deceased nov
clist.
At our first meeting Mr.. Bryant was
selected to deliver the eulogy, and his
acceptance was speedily obtained. AZ
ter various propositions, DR.. Rufus
Gy'swold, who was the leading spirit
throughout, suggested that we should
if possible, get Mr. Webster !" preside
on the occasion. Mr.. Webster was
soon to pass through New York on his
way to Washington, and ayai|ed my
self of the circumstance 10 see him per-
sonally on the subject. ! called on
him at the Astor House, and stated my
errand. He seemed somewhat taken
aback ut the proposition. and asked
me if thought ii would be quite ap.
propriate.
., am not literary man." he said.
at seems to me you should select one
for this Office"
"Mr. Webster" replied. 1--WE cer-
tainly claim you as such. You will be
Judged by your printed works, and
printed works constitute literature"
He considered moment. and then
said. al have engaged to deliver dis.
course before your Historical Society
the last week in February. II you can
arrange your meeting for about the
same time. will preside at it,"
At the appointed hour drove to the
Aston House for Mr.. Webster, and
brought him to the Hall On the way
he repeated twice to himself:
"The applause of listening scnates to com
mand."
Turning suddenly to me, he ex-
claimed "Youngster, what is the line
Immediately succeeding thatp"
The question came so unexpectedly
that could not answer it. We hap.
pened to be just opposite Randolph's
bookstore. Stopping the carriage, |
jumped ont and procured copy of
"Grays's Elegy." came back and read
the lines Mr.. Webster wished for, and
we proceeded on our way.
An amusing incident occurred at the
opening. Mr. Irving, whose duty it
was, as chairman of our committee, to
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.. Irv-
ing could get ont word, shouted. at
tho top of his voice, "ghree cheers for
the author of the Sketch Book" The
cheers were given, to Mr.. Irving's utter
dismay and discontinue. He stam-
mered out Mr.. Websteys name, and
some inarticulate words about ''presid-
ing" then quickly retreating, he seat
ed himself quite away from observa-
ton.
Mr. Wcbster's opening remarks, tho
eulogy of Mr. Bryant, the brilliant
speeches which followed, and Mr.. Web
sier's closing sentences, were carefully
reported in the daily journals. OBJ
served that he used the quotation from
"Gray's Eegy" while speaking, show
ing that his mind was occupied with
the subject rs we rode along.
The assembly broke up at u late hour.
had engaged to bring Mr. Webster to
the Century Club after we had conclud-
ed. where a handsome collation. had
been prepared. The club-rooms, at
that time, were near by, in Broadway.
w found large gathering already as
scmbed, and after long address of
welcome by the venerable Chief Justice
of the Superior Court, Samuel Jones,
general introduclions followed. Mr..
Webster remained all the time standing
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. "that many years ago
we had IN this country two famous pic
lures by Vandyke," naming them.
At this announcement some OF the
artists exchanged glauces with each
other, as much as to say, "He Is out Oh
his reckoning this time"
"The circumstances were these, con-
tinued Mr.. Webster. There was
wealthy Hollandor who, shortly after
tho beginning Of the present century.
came 10 America. and took up his res
idence about fourteen miles from Wash
ington. lie was tho owner OF the two
pictures | have mentioned. A portion
of his family remained In Holland. At
his death. in dividing his property, no
left TO n daughter, who lived In New
York, those two paintings, or n certain
number OF guilders, AS she should elect.
Now, gentlemen, continued Mr. Web
ster with an mir Of intense disgust,
"this ladv's husband was IN trade. aud
he took the guiIders, and tho paintings
were packed mp aud sent back to Hol'
land. was in Congress at tho time,
and went with f'sah TO see them DO.