Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-09
The Great webster.

"Josiah Quincys Recollections, re-
Gently published, has the following
story, as reported in review Of the
work in the New York Sun:
OF the great Daniel we have only
one anecdote worth quoating, but this is
Characteristic OF Mr.. Webster himself
aud of the atmosphere OF ridiculous
adoration 10 which he at one time
lived. To many OF his Massachusetts
admirers there was actually something
of the demigod in the loud smack of
the lips with which he signi6ed ap>
proval Of his pOtatiOns. Mr.. Quincy
was travelling, be tells, with Mr.. Web
ster on the route between Boston and
New York, By way OF New Haven,
then just been opened. Mr.. Web
ster, continues the narrator with de-
lightful naivete, was not quite we'll.
and, saying that he thought it would
be prudent TO take some brandy, asked
me to accompany him in search Of it. F"
The twain accordingly entered a bar
room near the station aud the order
was given. The attendant. without
looking at his customers, mechanic
ally took a decanter from a shelf be
hind him and placed it near some
glasses" on the counter. We may
remark, in parenthesis, that whatever
may have been the experience of this
big voiced, imposing statesman carica-
tured 10 Elijah Pogram, this was
seemingly Mr. Quincy's first acquaint-
anos With a barroom, on which ac-
count his observations are minutely
recorded. The narrator proceeds TO
say that Just az Mr.. Webster was
about to help himself, the bartender.
happening to look up, started as if he
had seen a spirit and cried, 'Stopl with
great vehemence. He thed took the
decanter from Mr.. Wester's hand.
replaced it on the shelf whence
it came, and disappeared be
meath the oounter. Rising from these
depths, he bore to the surface an old
fashioned black bottle, which he sub
stituted for the decanter." Mr..
Quincy goes on to tell us that Webster
poured a small ~ quantity into a
glass. drank it of with great relish,
and threv down half dollar in pay
ment. The 5arkeeper began to FUN
bic in a drawer of silver as if selecting
some smaller pieces for change where
upon Webster waved his hand
with porteB;ioGs dignity, and
in rich and authoritative tones pro
nOunced these words: My good friend,
let me offer you a piece Of advice.
Whenever you give that good brandy
from under the counter never take the
trouble to make change" AS the
travellers turned to 90 out, the dealer
10 liquors placed one hand upon the
bar, threw himself over it, aud caught
Mr.. G Nincey BY the arm. Tell INC
who that man isl be cried with eenu.
inc emotion. He is Daniel Webster, D
was the reply The man paused as il
to 6nd words adequate to convey the
impression made upon him, and thsr
exclaimed 10 a fsrvent half whisper
by e.. sir, that man should b.
president of the United Statesl'
Whether it was the FIRE water il
which We inter from the use Of tn,
plural glasses" that both traveller
INDUCED, or the deep-chested yoicr
and majestic gesture with which Web
ster could manage to give weight h
Iplatitudes, or the lavish donation of
whole halt q dollar, Mr.. Quincy wa
evidently as profoundly impressed a
the bar keeper. vt illustrates" il
his sage comment, "the cORmandin
magnetism Of Webster. No man Q
mark eyer satisfied the imagi nation s
eompletely.n