the minds of the students were allowed to follow the bent of their own inclinations. There was no uniformity of coats, caps, or thoughts; consequently each one could distinguish himself if he had the power, in other, ways than by being prompt at prayers, prompt at recitations, and prompt in obeying all the little exactions which in other schools are too often the only merits recognised by the faculty, and the only basis on which claims to collegiate honors stand. Although Mr. Webster was careful to observe all the requirements, and was remarkable for his punctuality in every duty or engagement, yet he did not consider these qualifications as all that was desirable.

Mr. Webster was distinguished (says my informant) the first year for his great knowledge beyond the range of his daily lessons, and much more for his bold and independent manner of thinking and expressing his opinions on all subjects which came within the range of his reading or observation.

But, in the study of the Greek languages and mathematics, he did no more than was allotted him to do to keep along with his class. The bent of his mind was not in that direction.

During his second year at college he continued to study the Latin and Greek languages, reading new books, and also proceeded to the study of geography, logic, and the higher branches of mathematics, as prescribed by the rules of the College. Geography, ancient and modern, delighted him; and during that year he made great proficiency in this branch of his education. Logic was a study particularly suited to his taste and mind.

ments.

Professor Sanborn also relates the following anecdote:-After a residence of two years at college, he spent a vacation at home. He had tasted the sweets of literature, and enjoyed the victories of intellectual effort. He loved the scholar's life. He felt keenly for the condition of his brother Ezekiel, who was destined to remain on the farm, and labor to lift the mortgage from the old homestead, and furnish the means of his brother's support. Ezekiel was a farmer in spirit and in practice. He led his laborers in the field, as he afterwards led his class in Greek. Daniel knew and appreciated his superior intellectual endowHe resolved that his brother should enjoy the same privileges with himself. That night the two brothers retired to bed, but not to sleep. They discoursed of their prospects. Daniel utterly refused to enjoy the fruit of his brother's labor any longer. They were united in sympathy and affection, and they must be united in their pursuits. But how could they leave their beloved parents, in age and solitude, with no protector? They talked and wept, and wept and talked till dawn of day. the matter to their father. to be the orator upon the occasion. was then somewhat burdened with debts. He was advanced in age, and had set his heart upon having Ezekiel as his helper. The very thought of separation from both his sons was painful to him. When the proposition was made, he felt as did the Patriarch of old, when he exclaimed, " Joseph is not ***, and will ye also take Benjamin away?" A family council was called. The mother's opinion was asked. She

They dared not broach Finally, Daniel resolved Judge Webster

Her

was a strong-minded woman. She was not blind tc the superior endowments of her sons. With all a mother's partiality, however, she did not over-estimate their powers. She decided the matter at once. reply was: "I have lived long in the world, and have been happy in my children. If Daniel and Ezekiel will promise to take care of me in my old age, I will consent to the sale of all our property at once, and they may enjoy the benefit of that which remains after our debts are paid." This was a moment of intense interest to all the parties. Parents and children all mingled their tears together, and sobbed aloud, at the thought of separation. The father yielded to the entreaties of the sons and the advice of his wife. Daniel returned to college, and Ezekiel took his little bundle in his hand, and sought on foot the scene of his preparatory studies. In one year he joined his younger brother in college.

In the third year, besides the languages, Daniel read Natural and Moral Philosophy and Rhetoric. Besides the lessons daily learned by his class and himself, he read with intense satisfaction, "Watts on the Mind," and "Locke on the Understanding;" he committed them to memory. When he came to these great lights, he began to see more clearly than ever the nature of the mind, and proceeded to the vigorous discipline of his own powers of analysis; so that, ere the Faculty were aware of it, they had a Logician in their presence, whose skill in argument and deep penetration baffled all their learning and experience.

Mr. Webster was now in his seventeenth year.

His manly character, his dignified deportment, and his acknowledged abilities had become well known. The patriotic citizens of Hanover, old and young, in College, and out of it, united in an invitation to him, to deliver an oration on the 4th of July. This he accepted, although the time for preparation was short. The ringing of bells, and the thundering cannon ushered in the day. The ceremonies were conducted with great pomp and solemnity. The concourse of The glorious

people was large. Anthems were sung. declaration itself was read; and then, he came forward, and with all the graces of oratory, delivered the oration for the occasion. I have taken great pains to get a copy of it. One of his classmates has preserved it in a pamphlet, on the title-page of which I find the following:

AN ORATION

Pronounced at Hanover, New Hampshire, the 4th of July, 1800, being the Twenty-Fourth Anniversary of American Independence.

BY DANIEL WEBSTER,

Member of the Junior Class, Dart. University.

"Do thou, great Liberty, inspire our souls,

And make our lives in thy possession happy,

Or our deaths glorious in thy just defence."-Addison.

Published by request of the Subscribers.

Printed at Hanover,

BY MOSES DAVIS.

1800.

ORATION.

Countrymen, Brethren, and Fathers: We are now assembled to celebrate an anniversary, ever to be

held in dear remembrance by the sons of freedom. Nothing less than the birth of a nation-nothing less than the emancipation of three millions of people from the degrading chains of foreign dominion, is the

event we commemorate.

Twenty four years have this day elapsed since these United States first raised the standard of Liberty, and echoed the shouts of Independence!

Those of you, who were then reaping the iron harvest of the martial field, whose bosoms then palpitated for the honor of America, will, at this time, experience a renewal of all that fervent patriotism; of all those indescribable emotions which then agitated your breasts. As for us, who were either then unborn, or not far enough advanced beyond the threshold of existence, to engage in the grand conflict for Liberty, we now most cordially unite with you, to greet the return of this joyous anniversary, to welcome the return of the day that gave us Freedom, and to hail the rising glories of our country!

On occasions like this, you have hitherto been addressed, from the stage, on the nature, the origin, the expediency of civil government.

The field of political speculation has here been explored by persons possessing talents to which the speaker of the day can have no pretensions. Declining, therefore, a dissertation on the principles of civil polity, you will indulge me in slightly sketching those events which have originated, nurtured and raised to its present grandeur this new empire.

As no nation on the globe can rival us in the rapidity of our growth since the conclusion of the Revo