directions as to his studies. He first placed in Daniel's hands a Latin grammar. Soon, without any difficulty, the lad mastered a large portion of its dry details. Next came other productions, of a more intricate and ponderous nature; among which were some of the more elaborate and profound works on English real-estate law. It is said that the youthful student pored over these books during six hours each morning, while the afternoon was given to the more congenial reading of Shakspeare and other leading works in the more attractive department of belleslettres literature.

We may readily suppose that this very early tincture of legal knowledge may have given young Webster's mind a bias for the abstruse science of the law, which afterward attracted him toward that profession as his chief employment in the future. But it will doubtless clearly appear to every reflecting mind that such a course of instruction. as that which was thus suggested to young Webster was pernicious, because it was badly arranged. He had not yet received the most necessary and essential amount of elementary instruction; and this was absolutely requisite to fit him for the attainment of higher and more ultimate professional knowledge. Accordingly, it was resolved by his parents that he should be sent to an academy, not indeed to prepare him for the further study of the law, but to fit him to act as a school-teacher as the future business of his life. Accordingly, on the 24th of May, 1796, young Webster set out on horseback for Phillips Academy at Exeter, in the county of Rockingham, in his native State, to pursue a course of academical study. This was the most celebrated institution of the kind then in New England. He rode thither on a side-saddle placed upon a horse intended for the use of a lady in Exeter, and his appearance was not the most attractive. His outward

accom

bodily traits were also by no means pleasing. He seemed to be a person destined soon to become the victim of consumption; nor would any intelligent observer have predicted for him a long life, any more than he would have guaranteed him an illustrious career. He was panied to Exeter by his father. Appearing in the presence of Dr. Benjamin Abbot, the president of the academy, that pompous but able official questioned the timid lad severely as to his previous studies; and after these inquiries were satisfactorily answered, he ordered him to read a passage from the Bible. It was the twenty-second chapter of Luke. Young Daniel had been taught to read or recite with great impressiveness by his intelligent mother; and he acquitted himself so admirably on this occasion that he at once gained the friendly regard of the pedagogical potentate, and was received as a pupil. "Young man," said the latter, with a solemn, dictatorial emphasis which we may imagine but not describe, “you are qualified to enter this institution!"

Webster remained at Phillips Academy during nine months. He was in truth a hard student. He rapidly acquired a vast amount of information. His preceptor, Dr. Abbot, declared in after-years that he never knew a boy whose power of amassing and retaining knowledge equalled that of young Webster. He was especially facile and apt in the comprehension and acquisition of principles; and in nine months he accomplished as much as most youths would have done in two years. His health was still feeble. He seemed to have a head far too large and ponderous for his feeble body. But he impressed every one connected with the institution with his superior intellectual powers. From Exeter he returned home, and commenced to teach school. His father's means being limited, he wished to earn something for himself, and to

deliberate upon his future plans of life. He was younger than many of his pupils; yet he was amply qualified to impart to them the most valuable instruction. He was popular as a teacher both among his scholars and with their parents and friends; and he might perhaps have continued to labor in this humble sphere during some years, had not a propitious circumstance seemed accidentally to rescue him from the obscurity to which it would have consigned him.

CHAPTER II.

Webster's Intercourse with Dr. Samuel Wood-He prepares himself for College-He enters Dartmouth College-His Habits and PursuitsHe delivers a Fourth-of-July Oration-Extract from it-He completes his Collegiate Course-His Speech at graduating.

AT this period the Rev. Samuel Wood, LL.D., a clergyman of talents and learning, and possessing an especially generous nature, removed to Boscawen, a short distance from Salisbury, the residence of young Webster. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College; and one of his most amiable qualities was the deep interest which he took in the advancement of youths who exhibited superior mental powers, or who seemed anxious to attain knowledge and distinction. An elective affinity soon attracted him to young Webster; and in a short time he felt a deep concern in his welfare. Daniel became a pupil of Dr. Wood, and remained several months under his tuition. He would have continued doubtless much longer, had not a benevolent plan been conceived by his tutor in reference to him. He discovered what an intellectual gem of the first magnitude and of the purest water lay embedded in the person of his gifted scholar; and he determined that it should not always remain hidden in the "dark unfathomed caves" of the ocean of obscurity where it then lay. He conversed with Daniel's father on the subject, and urged upon him the importance of sending his talented son to Dartmouth College. The proposition at first startled him. That was a bold and ambitious venture for his favorite son, which he had never anticipated, and scarce even then dared to contemplate. Though he then possessed a large tract of

land, which in the progress of time would become valuable, yet at that moment it was but little productive. His means therefore were limited, and his family was large. On the other hand, parental pride and affection pleaded loudly in favor of the measure. At length, after much deliberation and a desperate struggle, it was determined that Daniel should be sent to Dartmouth. When first informed of this important and decisive step by his father while riding with him in a rude sleigh in a remote and snow-covered part of the country, the emotions of the lad were too great for utterance. At one moment he wept, and at another exulted, and expressed his joy and gratitude to his father in feeling terms; for he well knew that no small sacrifices would be necessary on the part of his parent to enable him to carry out this resolution.

Daniel immediately commenced to prepare himself for his removal to the college. He arrived at Hanover at the moment when the Faculty of the institution were engaged in examining candidates for admission to the Freshman class. No time was to be lost; and young Webster, covered with mud, drenched with rain, and presenting in every respect a most unfavorable aspect, was called upon to undergo the terrible ordeal. His appearance was singular indeed. The rain had completely saturated his suit of blue clothes, which had been woven, made, and dyed at home, and the fugitive colors had in some measure been transferred to his person. He was then not only deserving of the epithet of "Black Dan," but also of "Blue Dan." Notwithstanding his repulsive appearance, he passed a favorable examination, and was admitted to the Freshman class. Dr. John Wheelock was then president, whose kindly regard toward the young applicant had been procured by the friendly influence and interposition of Dr. Wood.