The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-04-08
CHARACTER IN CRANIUMS.
4 STUDY OF THE HEADS OF SOME
HISTORIC STATESMEN.
Webster and Calhoun COMPREHENSIVE
Estimate OF Webster-Zach TayloE's Inn
Described.

Described.
Passing well known show window on
Broadway, was attracted to cast Of the
head of John C. Calhoun, and stepped in to
make inquiry as TO its authenticity. Being
referred to an elderly gentleman who was
said TO know all about the busts, he informed
me that the cast was taken from the head Of
the eminent statesman by Clark Mills, late of
Washington, in 1874, and that it was the only
cast ever taken of Mr.. Calhoun from life. I
inquired what peculiarities the head indicat-
ed, and was instantly answered:
"YCu see the great elevation of the head
from the ears upward and backward. That
development indicates 10 US uncCmmOnly
large hrnness and self esteem and strong
moral forces. The large back head indicates
great social power. His intellect was remark
able for its sharpness, its abstract acuteness
and logical analysis lie was tall, spare, thin,
but he had wonderful force of character. He
was the originator Of the extreme southern
views as to state rights, which eliminated in
the late war. He was for many years United
States senator from South Carolina, end was
vice president under Gen. jackson.
And here" said my informant, sis the
proper companion piece to Calhoun-the bust
of Daniel Webster. The cast was taken also
by Mr.. Clark Mills in 1877, five years before
Mr.. Webster's death, and, being the only one
that was ever taken, is regarded by US as
treasure. 1t shows the size and shape Of his
head and face precisely"
CALHOUN AND WEBSTER.
"What is the difference between Calhoun
and Webster." inquired.
"One great difference existing between the
men was this. Firmness and self esteem were
stronger in Calhoun than in Webster He
had an imperious will, and he had more of
the element of severity and force of charac-
ter Calhouns head is higher at the crown
and relatively broader at the base. Webster's
head in the region of severity, policy and the
financial feelings was narrow and deficient.
He had q massive anterior brain, and was re-
sarded as pre-eminent in his intellectual scope
and power Of argument. His GROWING effort
in the senate Of the United States was his re-
ply to Senator Hayne of South Carolina,
Jan. &c, 1880, which, as you recollect, closed
with the memorable words Liberty and
union, now and forever, one and insepara-
ble'
Webster was a large man, stout and tall;
he had a massive brain and face, and as mas
terful eyes as ever blazed upon an adversary.
When he was in England he spent much time
with Carlyle, who, being asked after Mr..
WebSter's departure what he thought OF Dan
lei Webster, is said to have replied that he
was the greatest false pretense living His
friend, expressing asJonishnent, said:
Why, how is thatF
"Said he, 1t is not possible for any man TO
be as great as Webster looks
MR.. AsToR's SKULL.
"There is a portrait which affords marked
contrast to the head Of Webster; ii is that Of
John Jacob Astor. His head, you will see,
is remarkably broad for its height; it is
amply developed in the region of the intel
lect, showing a quick, clear and accurate
judgment, good planning ability and excel
lent constructive talent; but the distinguish
ing feature of his head is its width, caused by
a large acquisitiveness, which gives money
making talent; secreUiveneSs and cautious
ness, which give tact and prudence, and the
organs which give courage and force. Web
ster had no financial ability and could hardly
keep his pocket from getting empty when he
had a good income. This mans gift was
in getting and keeping; his hobby was to buy
all the real estate he could pay for and never
sell If.
We have q cast Of Thomas H. Benton, for
thirty years United States senator from Mis-
souri,. He was a man remarkable for Stats
tics. He had excellent memory, language
and practical talent But he was not great
reasoner. He was the great fact gatherer Of
the senate. If statistics were required he
could furnish them. See what a contrast his
head shows to that of Webster-so much
Il
fiery, combatiye, severe, plucSy, proud, i'm
perious, good friend, but an implacable foe.
He was one of the great forces in the senate
for many years, and one of the marked feat
ures of his career was his pushing of the bill
through the senate to expunge from its re-
cords the censure of the senate upon the
president, Gen. jackson, for the removal Of
the United States deposits from the vaults Of
the Bank of the United States, and when he
obtained the quill pen which had drawn the
black lines around the record of the censure,
Benton held it aloft in the senate and shout
ed: Solitary and alone l set this ball in mo-
tom and it was the joke of the decade 1t
was true, but his statement OF IL was laughed
at for its redundancy.
"Hereis Gen. Taylor, who made another
remark which caused good deal OF aInuse-
ment. In one of his messages be said: We
are happily ct peace with all the world and
it is our interest, rs it is our purpose, to
maintain amicabIe relations WITH the rest Of
mankind.
Hence the phrase. All the world and the
rest of mankind. But Gen. Taylor was a
plucl1y, brave mau-see how bread the head
is above the ears.
AUTHOR OF THE "&oON HOAX"
"Tbere is a pretty bUsJ-that Of Richard
Adams Locke, author Of the celebrated Moon
Hoax, which he wrote for The New York
Sun in 1855 and which was afterward print
ed in book form and widely circulated Sir
John Frederick William HerscheI had gone
TO the Cape Of Good Hope 70 study the
heavens with his great telescope, and as there
were no steamships and no telegraphs 10 bring
news, it occurred to Nh Locke TO write an
apparent report Of an observation made at
the cape by Sir John Herscnel- he started
it as a Joke aad named the snip which
brought the news as landing at Halifax,
whence 1t had come overland. and he went
on from day 20 day publishing articles that
ne wrote between times, describing
the inhabitants Of the moon. and au
the animals in the miDGtest manner,
which created in New York such furor o.
excitement that fulton street and Nassau
street. aJ the corner OF which The Sun was
published, would be thronged wiki people fox
blocks Al hour before daylight, TO snatch the
pspers IS fast as they could be worked OF,
and the press was kept running nearly al day
20 supply the demand. Even n Edinburgh,
when the news c-ept heck by sailing snip
lrhe verv home Of rke university. TIE pro-