The San Francisco call., 1897-05-16
WEBsTER's SCHOOL DAYS.
He Was Considered a Dull Boy an,
Broke Down as a DecIaimer.

He Was Considered Dull Boy and
Broke Down Declaimer.
''It is doubtful if, among that group OF
intellectual prodigies whose efforts in the
courts of justice and in the National halls
of legislation have been materially felt
during our career as nation, there can
be found one whose cary school days
were associated with such humiliating
and unfavorable circumstances as were
those of Daniel Webster, the foster ia thsr
of our American nationality" Such is
the opening sentence of an article by For
rest Prescott Hall in the January Arena.
The observation is amply justified by the
facts that follow con cerning Wsbster's
school days, and his difficulties in making
a speech and even in reciting his lessons.
Daniels parents were humble folk in
straitened circumstances in what is now
called Salisbury Center, N. II. 1t took
considerable coutriving to enable him to
get the education for which he had pas
sionate longing; but on May %, 1796, he
and his father set out for Exeter, where
he was placed in a school kept by Mr.
Clifford. The house is still standing, 1.-The
pride OF the town." Mr.. Hall proceeds as
follows:
When Daniel was given in charge of
the worthy Mr.. Clifford it was the first
time he had ever been away from home,
and his feelings can not be better de-
scribed than by himself.
"'The change overpowered me.
hardly remained master of my own senses
among ninety boys who had seen so much
more and appeared to know SO much more
than did,
"It is not to be wondered that the
change overpowered him, a rough, un-
trained country boy at IA years of age.
ut is said that Webster, upon leaving
his son at Mr.. Clifford's house, remarked
to this gentleman that 'he must teach
Daniel to hold his knife and fork, for he
knows no more about it than a cow about
holding q spade 1t see ms that the COM
parison was good one, for his manners
at the table were so rule that the other
students requested the landlord to send
him away. But the kind-hearted man
would not consent to this, and refused
even to demonstrate with Daniel, for he
knew the boy was sensitive and knew no
better.
"He hit upon plan, so the story goes,
which resulted in teaching the boy how to
use his knife and fork. Webster was ac-
customed to hold them in his fists. Mr.
Clifford one day held his in the same way,
and continued to do so until Webster saw
how ungraceful 1t was and corrected HIM
self.
1.-THE knife and fork episode Is not much
in itself, but it shows how ignorant Web
ster was when he came to Exeter, and un-.
der what adverse conditions was his
struggle for an education.
"As to his studies, his success at Exeter
was not great. He himself says 80. He
seemed unable to recite in a room filled
with boys, and though he studied hard
and was far from stupid, he could never
make good recitation. But what is to be
wondered at most of all il that he could
not be induced to speak in public. When
tho day came on which the class was to
declaim, although he had learned his
piece, he was utterly incapable OF rising
from his seat when his name was called
The kind and excellent Buckminster,'
says Daniel in his autobiography, sought
especially TO persuade me to perform the
exercise OF defamation, like other boys,
but | could not do it. Many time did /
commit the pieces TO memory in my room,
YET when the time came when the school
collected to hear declamations, when my
name was called, and / saw all eyes turned
to my seat, could not raise myself from
it. Sometimes the instructors frowned-
| sometimes they smiled. Mr.. Buckmint
ster always pressed and entreated m os.
winningIy that l would venture, but |
could never command sufficient resolu-
tion. When the occasion was over / went
home and wept bitter tears OF mortifica-
tion.'
"And now, when we think of Daniel
Webster, the orator whose speeches have
become classic and who lowered above
his fellows like the peak OF Teneriffe, we
cannot help smiling at the picture of
Daniel Webster. the boy blushing and
stammering before his schoolmates, and
unable to pronounce a word of the speech
which he had learned and studied for the
occasion.
at is said that Daniel was 30 much dis
couraged by his inability to declaim in
public, and by his treatment at the hands
OF his fellow-students. that at the end of
the first term, when DR.. Abbot called him
up and asked him ii he intended 10 return
after Christmas, his answer indicated
something like reluctance. The principal
well knew that Webster's rustic manners
and coarse clothing had drawn upon him
the ridicule OF the boys, who, says Mr..
McGaw. in every respect except habili-