The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-09-28

Mr.. Quincy relates as being decided by the
eupreme court, and which was argued by,
Mr.. Webster, Mr.. Blake and Thomas
Eddis Emmit, was a case where Lieut..
Stockton, commanding the United States
schooner Alligator, had captured the
Portuguese vessel Mariana Flora, and il
was decided in Stockton's favor.
Mr.. Quincy feels compelled to modify
what he has written in his journal of Wash
ington society in 1926, land the mention of
the names of ladies, even when one has
nothing but what is pleasantto say of them,
is only sanctioned by certain statute of
limitations. which after lapse of half a
century seems to allow certain discretion
in this particular. 1t will, however, be nee
essary to make but few reservations in tell
ing what | saw"
DINNER AT Mr.. WEBSTER'S.
He tells of a dinner at Mr., Webster's,
where the host carved the beef and was in a
charming Humor. He told some good lawyer
stories land gave US a graphic account of the
burning of his house at Portsmouth, N. H.
Though was 10 Washington at the time,'
said Mr.. Webster. Il believe know more
about the fire than many who were actively
at work on the spot. Besides here is Mrs.
Webster, who was burned out She will
correct me if / am wrong
HE told US all he possessed in the world
was, lost there being no insurance III on house
or furniture, but as there were more than
200 buildings consumed, some Of them be-
longing to those less able TO make living
than himself, he felt he had no right to
murmur. He was nevertheless troubled
about the loss of his library. His books
were full of notes and associations which
could not be replaced.
Il think there was something in the
house which Mr.. Webster regretted more
than his books said his wife, with an
amused expression, which showed her re-
mark was no. to be taken quite seriously
There was pipe of wine in the cellar, and
l am sure that MIR. Webster's philosophy
has not yet reconciled him toits loss You
see, we were young housekeepers in those
days. 1t was the first pipe of wine we ever
had, and the getting of it was great
event..
LET us be accurate, my DEAR said Mr..
Webster with one of those pleasant smiles
of his, which fairly lit up the room. I'm
doubtedly it was a pipe of wine when we
bought it, but then it had been on tap for
some time and our table had not been with
out guests. II had you on the witness
stand think 1 should make you confess
that your pipe of wine could scarcely have
been more than half a pipe at the time of
the fire.
81 suppose there was nothing said at that
dinner so little worth preserving as this
trifling family jest; yet the sweet and play
full manner of Webster fixed it indelibly on
my memory.
IAN anecdote told by Webster as the
conversation run on upon tle Importance of
doing small things thoroughly he illus
trated by al account Of some petty ilsur-
aDce case brought to him when be was
young lawyer in Portsm outh. A $50 fee
was all he was promised. He saw that to
do his client full justice journey to Boston
TO consult the law library was desirable.
He would be out of pocket by the expedi-
ton and for his time he would receive no
adequate compensation. He determined to
do his best, cost what it might. He accord
ingly went to Boston, looked up the author
tiles and gained the case. Years after
this Webster, then famous, was pass
Ing hr Ugh New Yark. An important
insur--o5 case was to be tried the
day after his arrival and one CT
the counsel had been suddenly taken sick.
Money was no object and Webster was
begged to name his price sand conduct the
case. 1 told them, said Mr.. Webster
that 1t was preposterous to expect me to
prepare legal argument at a few hours
notice. They insisted, however. that
should look at the papers. Then, after
80 ne demur, consented to do so. Well, it
was my old $40 case over again. / had all
the authorities at my fingers ends. The
SCGA hhSW Ludb udl ilO bltuO 10 pEHDdTb
and was astonished at the range OF my
requirements. So you SEQ | was hand
somely paid in fame and money for that
Journey to Boston, and the moral is that
good work is rewarded in the end.n
TWO DRUMMERs AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
Mr. Quincy twice dined at the white
house; the first time informally with Charles
King and Albert Gallatin: The latter gen.
tleman," records M. Quincy. scarcely
said anything, owing. perhaps, to the con-
slant and amusing utterauces Of the Presi-
dent, Mr.. Adams, and Mr.. King who talked
as If under bonds to furnish Entertainment
for the party. The next occasion was
state dinner of forty ladies and gentlemen,
very splendid ard rather stiff He en-
Joyed the hOspit llity CT the Vice President,
Mr.. Calhoun, who. contrary to custom had
come up to the capitol, and was actually
doing the work OF his place, as he pro-
claimed that he would receive no emolu-
ments from an office without assuming its
responsibilities.
Zone OF the pleasan test dinners attended
at Washington, "he adds, took place at Miss
Flyers clearinghouse. IL was given by the
gentlemen dodgers, who, by small sub
scriptlon. added few dishes TO the ordinary
bill of fare. Mr.. Webster and Senator Mills
OF Massachusetts were among the guests,
and when after the removal of the cloth
oOAhO OOL 0cduA WIG was d1QSu 10 bQ6 GUS
tomarY Madeira, the conversation was easy
and animated. 1t was Mr.. Wehster's say
ing that dinners we're agreeable in inverse
ratio to their state and formslity. The use
of wine aud spirits was practically univer-
sal at the time Of which l am speaking.
Nobody thought it possible TO dine without
one or the other. At the boarding houses
and hotels every guest had his bottle or his
interest in bottle. In the early days of the
SOUND steamers decanUers of brandy free to
all, we're placed upon the table as part Of the
provisions necessary for meal
THE UNIVERSAL USE OF WE'VE.
In my early life the sideboard was an ad-
Junct Of almost every family, and visitors
were entertained with cake and VINE or
brandy eoddy. Everybody drank but no
body got drunk. A drunken man was a
rare sight. In the neighborhood where !
was born and brought up till II years of
age there was most excellent mao, who
got drunk about one or twice year, and
when that occurred everybody looked at
him as something unusual aud disgust
ing, and even when sober he was avoided
The last time saw the venerable Father
Curley at Georgetown college. a year or
two before his death, be reminded me of a
visit be and my cousin, young priest,
James Deery, had paid 10 my mother, when
! was brought in from my play % see him,
in 1892, be said, and before leaving 20 go ~
the capitol he said: Mother had made
them a nice brandy tOddy.n Il was uni
versal before tho days Of whisky. Cut
glass decanters aud loaf sugar and a nudler
81 o. Cd A..