Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-24
DANIEL WEBSTER AND TOBACCO

Daniel Webster's early letters show
| that In his younger days he was addict
ed To the use Of toblcco-in fact, that he
he WAS so fond of ii that he deemed IL n
iit subject for his poetic muse. In let
ter to his college classmste, Jrmcs Her
vcy Bingham, written from Salisbury,
y. H., on sept. -, 1901, when Daniel
was In his twentieth year, and when he
was studying law, he says: III expect TO
meet many Gisappointments Ia the pros
ecution of the law. find have cslcu-
lated too largely on the profession. For
this reason have engaged new auxili-
ary to support me under modification; /;
IL l. tobacco. | have heard much Of
philosophical fortitude. but never knew
what IL was, unless IL be sullen unfeel-
ingness, cold temper or inhumau heart.
But tobacco Inspires courage OF another
kind. deliberate, vet immovable-aiiec-
tionste and feeling, yet despising dan
ger. Since have used this great cathol-
icon, suspect that Cato aud John Rog
ers were not unscquainted with the vir-
tues OF the goodly leaf: else whence de-
rived they their firmness; oh, tobacco,
how many hearts hast thou saved from
the destruction OF coquetry, How many
throats Of bankrupts hast thou preserved
from their own penkniyes,
"Come. then. tobacco. new found friend.
Come. and thy suppllant attend
In each duh. lonely hour.
And. though misfouunes lie around
Thicker than haiistones on the ground,
III rc-i upon thy power
Then. while the coxcomb, pert and proud.
The politician, learn'd and loud,
Keep one eternal clack.
III tread where silent nature -fnilc-.
Whcrc solitude our woes beguiics,
And chew thee, dear tobSc-"
ln another letter 10 his classmate
Bingham. written from Salisbury, on
Oct. 26, 1901, he says: AS for my new
friend tobacco he Is Ike most OF that
name-has made me twice sick, and is
nov dismissed" In letter written
on June II, lS02 from Fryeburg, this
county, where Daniel was then teach
ing the academy, To his college class
mate, II. W. Fuller, he says: Last
night, after tea, | lighted my
cigar and took turn among the mead
ows. Nature was all smiling, and by
kind OF sympathy she drew me in to
laugh with her, and my resentments all
went of In fume." In letter written
on July -, lS02 from Fryeburg), 10 his
classmate Bingham, he says; 81 rejoice
IL my name has been the means OF intro
duciug two Of the best men OF the world
10 each other. would indeed give my
pipe and It's contents TO see you together
this lovely morning" In letter writ
ten on Aug. %, 1902 (from Fryeburg),
10 his clsssmate Fuller. he says: II
will bet my tobacco box that
can guess within three" In letter
written on Nov. {, lS02 from Salisbury,
70 his brother Ezekiel. who was then at
college, he says: II have now by me
two cents In lawful federal currency.
Next week will send them IL they be
all. They will buy pipe; with pipe
you can smoke; smoking inspires wis
dom; wisdom is allied 10 fortitude;
from fortitude II is but one step TO stoi-
cism; and stoicism never pants for this
worlds goods-so, perhaps, my two
cents, by this process, may put you
quite at ease about cash" ln letter
written on Nov. IL, 1903 from Sails
bury, 10 his college clsssmate, Thomas
4. Merrill, he says: philosophy and
tobacco, beside winter, are fine
emollients. What can expel By reflec-
tion. and what will go of in JttDlo at the
end OF my cigar, will leave me little OF
disappointment and nothing Of uneasi-
ness