Evening star., 1898-04-08
RELICS OF DANIEL WEBSTER.
The Statesmnn's Love for Sport
shown in IA Rare Collection.

From the Boston Transcript.
Among the exhibits at the sportsmen's
show. just brought to a close, was the one
known as the Webster relies 1t appealed
alike to tbs cultured and refined tastes of
the ANTIQUARIAN and the historian and to
the more rugged. but none the less inspir-
ing relish Of the sportsman. for there was
scarcely an article en- view that did not
possess associations dear to all of the fol-
lowers of these pursuits.
Two of the articles In the collection the
public at large were not permitted to see,
because they never pass out of their own
ers control. One of these is gold match
safe. twenty-five Carats fine, containing
matches placed i'll ii By Mr.. Webster him
self. For years 1t has been the custom
at the annual dinner of the Ancient and
Honorable Artillery Company TO light the
two candles in front of the commander
with match from this safe. and from
these comes the blaze which kindles all the
cigars smoked While the speaking is IN
progress. The pICpriety of thus linking
the present with the past at these meet
inSs of tEe oldest military organization in
the country was the happy thought of the
possessor of his beautiful example of tht
goldsmith ; art. The other article which
is guarded with equal care is a large.
whIte-handled knife of Ingenious design
and curious workmanship. presented to Mr..
Webster by King Louis Philippe OF France.
Its only blade is between four and five
inches IN length. and is intended for the
killing and claaI.n < of fish There is alsC
a peculiar contrivance for the removing
of the scales. and, what is more remark
able. the handle contains a tiny spring bal
ance for the weighing of fish. In the
forties. W hile Vet & king. Louis sent re-
quest 10 Mr. Webster for his picture. and
the gratiied statesman had his portrait
DaiIllpi of and with
mis- compliments 10 his royal friend.
There were also TO be seen in the cabinet
which hung in the Pierce lodge two articles
of peculiar value. because they mark one
OF the most important epochs in the reIa-
tions of the United States and Great Brit
ain. One is Il silver dog whistle carried
by Lord Ashburton at the time of the
memorable journey OF the two commission
ers over the route which row forms the
boundary line between this country and
the British possessions. when the famous
treaty vas agreed upon which settled SC
satisfactorily the mooted question of Great
Britain's rights this continent Befor,
the gentlemen parted his lordship present
ed Mr.. Webster not only with the whistle.
but with a small WOODEN brandy keg hoop
ed with wicker bands. and with Il mouth
piece which is protected from unlicensed
Hips by q brass lock.
Another article in this interesting col
lection Is pocket scale capable of weigh
ing fish game to the amount Of LIT
pounds. IL Is believed II has never beer
duplicated in this country. Not much
smaller. but more genteel in appearance,
Is a German silver scale for weighing fish,
also OF equally small proportions and in
genious design. A silver drinking fash and
silver cigar case combined. and two pew
ter plates carried by Mr.. Webster on hi.
numerous fishing and hunting excursions
In Plymouth county. are not the least in
terestins of these mementoes Of the grea
man and his simple and manly tastes. Ths
pair OF antlers which occupied a couspicu.
Gus place over the door of the lodge wers
once worn by buck which fell q victim