that witnessed their valor. Let their exertions in our country's cause be remembered while liberty has an advocate and gratitude has a place in the human heart.

"Greene, the immortal hero of the Carolinas, has since gone down to the grave, loaded with honors, and high in the estimation of his countrymen. The courageous Putnam has long slept with his fathers; and Sullivan and Cilley, New Hampshire's veteran sons, are no more remembered with the living.

"With hearts penetrated by unutterable grief, we are at length constrained to ask, Where is our Washington? where the hero who led us to victory? where the man who gave us freedom? where is he who headed our feeble army when destruction threatened us, who came upon our enemies like the storms of winter and scattered them like leaves before the Borean blast? Where, O my country, is thy political savior? where, O humanity, thy favorite son?

"The solemnity of this assembly, the lamentations of the American people, will answer, Alas! he is now no more! the mighty is fallen!'

"Yes, Americans, Washington is gone! he is now consigned to dust and sleeps in 'dull, cold marble!'

"The man who never felt a wound but when it pierced his country-who never groaned but when fair freedom bled-is now forever silent!

'Wrapped in the shroud of death, the dark dominions of the grave long since received him, and he rests in undisturbed repose! Vain were the attempt to express our loss, vain the attempt to describe the feelings of our souls! Though months have rolled away since his spirit left this terrestrial orb and sought the shining worlds on high, yet the sad event is still remembered with increased

sorrow.

The hoary-headed patriot of '76 still tells the

mournful story to the listening infant, till the loss of his country touches his heart and patriotism fires his breast. The aged matron still laments the loss of the man beneath whose banners her husband has fought or her son has fallen. At the name of Washington, the sympathetic tear still glistens in the eye of every youthful hero. Nor does the tender sigh yet cease to heave in the fair bosom of Columbia's daughters.

'Farewell, O Washington, a long farewell!

Thy country's tears embalm thy memory;

Thy virtues challenge immortality;

Impress'd on grateful hearts, thy name shall live

Till dissolution's deluge drown the world.""

During Webster's fourth year in college he studied particularly intellectual philosophy, ethics, and international law; while at the same time he paid special attention to his improvement in oratory. For this noble and masterly art he seemed to have, from an early period, a very strong predilection, and at a precocious age gave evidence of a future distinction in it. He perused the great masters of ancient and modern eloquence with intense interest, and endeavored to imitate some of their qualities. At length the end of his academical career arrived. Four studious years had Webster spent at Dartmouth; and each advancing month gave proof of his constant and rapid progress. On commencement-day he delivered an oration on "Natural Science," dwelling chiefly on the then recent and remarkable discoveries of Lavoisier in chemistry. Why he selected so dry and abstract a theme for the subject of a speech on such an occasion, it would be difficult to conjecture. It is probable that the distribution of themes among the other members of the graduating class may have been such as to render that subject desirable or even necessary on his part. He graduated on the 26th of

August, 1801, and was then prepared to look abroad upon the great world for a wider and more important sphere of activity in the future; and we may truly add, that never did a stronger intellectual giant brace himself to the performance of any difficult and noble task than was he when he turned his back on the cherished and beloved shades of Dartmouth to engage in other and far different

scenes.

CHAPTER III.

Webster continues the Study of the Law-He becomes Principal of Fryeburg Academy-Mr. Fessenden-His Further Studies with Mr. Thompson-His Removal to Boston-Christopher Gore-The Offered Clerkship-Webster's Admission to the Bar-Commences Practice at Boscawen-His Removal to Portsmouth-His Marriage-His First Term in Congress.

DANIEL WEBSTER had now resolved to devote himself to the legal profession as his pursuit through life; and accordingly he entered his name as a student of law in the office of Thomas W. Thompson, immediately after his return from college to Salisbury. Yet at this time his means were so limited that he felt the necessity of endeavoring to earn something for himself; and he therefore began to look about for an engagement in his old craft of school-teaching, the usual resort of necessitous youths of talent both then and in later times. Through the recommendation of a friend, he was invited to take charge of an academy then vacant at Fryeburg, in Maine. He commenced his labors in this capacity in January, 1803, and continued them during nine months. The great statesman subsequently described his entry into the scene of his future achievements as a pedagogue, in the following language. Said he, "At that time I was a youth not quite twenty years of age, with a slender frame of less than one hundred and twenty pounds' weight. On deciding to go, my father gave me rather an ordinary horse, and after making the journey from Salisbury upon his back, I was to dispose of him to the best of my judgment, for my own benefit. Imme

diately on my arrival, I called upon you,* stating that I would sell the horse for forty dollars, and requesting your aid in his disposal. You replied that he was worth more, and gave me an obligation for a larger sum, and in a few lays succeeded in making a sale for me at the advanced price. I well remember that the purchaser lived about three miles from the village, and that his name was James Walker. I suppose he has long since deceased." On being told that he was still living, he said, with great heartiness: "Please give him my best respects."

Among the intimate associates of Webster at Fryeburg was the Rev. William Fessenden, whose personal qualities fitted him in every respect to be the companion of so remarkable a youth, and whose large and well-selected library opened to him rare and valuable treasures of knowledge. Though he was much older than the young pedagogue, he found much congeniality in his society; and their conversations on the gravest questions of history and philosophy were frequent and protracted, and were doubtless promotive of the improvement of both.

When at length Webster resigned his post, he received a vote of thanks from the trustees, in addition to his salary, setting forth the industry and ability with which he had performed his duties. After a brief tour of travel for the benefit of his health, he returned to Salisbury and entered himself regularly as a student of law in the office of his former friend, Mr. Thompson. With him he remained during eighteen months, devoting himself most assiduously to the attainment of professional knowledge. Though his preceptor was a man of very competent attainments for the place which he filled, he was far below the grade of young Webster's aspirations; and the latter now felt a dis

* Addressed to Mr. Robert Bradley, of New Hampshire.