The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-04
A REn1H1soEroB OF WEBSTER


Richard B. Kimball, in the Dart
mouth. says. 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 presided.
A Committee was appointed to make
arrangements for n suitable recogni-
ton of the event, aud further to raise
funds for the erection of a monument
to the memory of the deceased now
elist. -
At our first meeting Mr.. Bryant was
selected to deliver the eulogy, and his
acceptance was speedily obtained. Af-
ter various propositions, DR.. 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 nass through New York on his
way to Washington, and availed my
self of the circumstance to see him per-
sonally on tho subject. Il called on
him at tho Astor House, and stated nv
errand. He seemed somewhat taken
aback ut the proposition and asked
me If thought it would be quite ap-
propriate.a y bsusafas..el tss,f-,4
81 ON not a literary man, he said.
cit seems to me you should select one
for this oflice.v iH1gi sal rs .zsssis
'Mr. Webster" replied. 1--WE GER
tail'y claim you as such. You will be
Judged by your printed works, and
printed works; constitute literature"
He considered a moment. and then
said, 81 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
Astor House for Mr.. Webster, and
brought him to the Hall. On the way
lie repeated twice to himself:
The APP applause of listening senates to COM
Turning suddenly to me. ne ex-
claimed, ''Youngster. what is the line
Immediately succeeding that?"
The question came so unexpectedly
that l could not answer it. We hap
pened to be Just opposite Randolph's
bookstore. Stopping the carriage, I
jumped out 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 90
through with his task. when some one
seated exactly in front of him, among
the audience, rose, and, before Mr.. Irv-
ing could get out a word, shouted. at
the top of his voice, ssThree cheers for
the author of the Sketch Book 2" The
cheers were given. to Mr.. Irving's utter
dismay and discontinue. He stam-
mered out Mr.. Webster's name, and
some inarticulate words about ''presid-
ing" then quickly retreating, lie seat
ed himself quite away from observa-
ton. 49,
Mr.. Webster's opening remarks, the
eulogy of Mr.. Bryant. the brilliant
speeches which followed, and Mr.. Web
ster's closing sentences, were carefully
in the daily journals. l OBJ
served that he used the quotation from
.'Gray's Eiegy" while speaking, show
ing that his mind was occupied with
the subject as we rode along.
The assembly broke up at 4 late hour.
I had engaged to bring Mr.. Webster to
the Century Club after We had .conclud-s
ed, where, q handsome collation. had
been prepared. The club-rooms,, at
GndC Gilne, were ueitr Uys III DTOduWdy.
We found a large gathering already as
and after a long address of
welcome by the venerable Chief Justice
of the Superior Court, Samuel Jones,
general intrUductions 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 glances with each
other, as much as to say. "He is out OF
his reckoning this time. +"
'rEhe circumstances were these, con-
tinued Mr.. Webster. "There was
wealthy Holiander who, shortly after
the beginning of the present century,
came to America. and took up his res
idence about fourteen miles from w ash
ington. . He was the owner OF the two
pictures have mentioned. A portion
of his family remained in Holland. At
his death, in dividing his property. he
left to adaughter, who lived in New
York, those two paintings, or certain
number of guilders. as she should elect
Now, gentlemen, continued Mr.. Weo-
ster. with an air of intense disgust,
sahis lady's husband was in trade, and
he took the guilders, and the paintings
were packed up and sent back to Hol-
land : I was in Congress at the time,
and went with: friend to see them be-
fore they We're carried away.