The star-progress. (Opelousas, La.) 1917-1921, 1921-08-03
DANIEL WEBSTER AT PLAY

DANIEL WEBSTER AT PLAY
William Lloyd Garrison, the aboli-
zionist, who saw most of the disting
uished men of both Europe and Amer
lea, remarked on how often their per-
sonal appearance failed to conform
to the impression one had acquired
from their deeds or writings; and he
was particularly struck with thei when
he saw the very weak presence of
Wilberforce But Webster he said.
was a remarkable instance of perfect
conformity of physique to intellect. He
looked what he was.
In mature years Webster became
very careful and precise in his dress
and personal appearance. In fact, he
dressed most carefully for every
speech.
The costume he finally adopted for
the court and the senate was blue
coat with brass buttons cut very much
like the modern evening dress coat, a
buff waistcoat and black trousers,
This was his fighting uniform, known
everywhere and he always looked par
ticularily handsome in it. For other
i occasions he is said to have worn
white or colored waistcoat, and often
white trousers.
! Webster was always very fond of
both hunting and fishing. Often times
when he was tired by the labors 0f
official duties, he would long for a
relief and to his friends would say:
! "The redgods are calling me and |
long for my rod and gun" To the
end of his life Webster could often
spend an evening of most absurd hap
piness in very unnecessary cleaning
and tinkering with his guns. He had
pet names for them, arising from
their qualities OF circumstances. One
was Mrs. Patrick, another Learned
Selden and one, of all things in the
world, Wilmot Proviso.
Webster was especially fond of
duck shooting and added deer hunting
to his amusements. A pair of now
extinct species of Labrador ducks was
shot by him in Vineyard Island off
coast of Massachusetts,, and sent to
Audubon, the naturalist who had
never before seen this species.
Webster was an ardent collector OF
books on natural history and had
these in a special place made for them
at Mansfield, to which home Web
ster went when he resigned the posi-
tion of Secretary of State, which he
filled for five years, and it was at
Mansfield, Mass, that Webster died.
With his wife and children, his
herds of superb cattle, his boatman
Paterson, and his favorite farming
hands gathered around him, and hosts
of riends to fill 1.-The house, and over
flow into lodgings in the neighbor-
hood, these last yeras of his life be-
came the greatest days at Mansfield.
Here Webster continued to breed
fine specimens of oxen, the animals
he liked best of all. He seemed to
glory in their magnificent, patient
strength, and the power Of the great
beasts taking the large plough through
the land delighted his imagination.
He would sometimes yoke them him
self and hold the plough with the
strength and skill Of a veteran farmer.
1t was one of his favorite amuse-
ments.
Webster would arise every morning
about daylight at Mansfield in order
that he could go out personally and
feed his stock and pet them, and they
always seemer to welcome his coming
Very few in any generation have the
strength to endure those early morn
ing labors which Webster added to
the unsal days work. His power to
resist extreme fatigue and react from
it by slight rest was unusual He
never seemed to have needed more
than six hours sleep and his physical
capacity kept up until he was nearly
20 years old.
+ Webster seems to have required no
great resolution or effort to work SO
early in the morning. He loved it.
He had an uncomfortable passion
for watching the stars disappear out
of the sky; and perhaps the most
beautiful passage in all his writings