scholar and divine, in a eulogy before the students of Bowdoin College, said, "Daniel Webster before he died had been crowned as the ablest man this Continent has ever produced. . . " " He seemed to belong to another race and order of beings. His brain exceeded in size the common average by at least one-third. Only two such heads had ever been noticed in the world before. The glance of his eye was marvelous, searching as light itself; and when strong feeling roused him, it was terrible. Those who came the closest to him were the most delighted and amazed. The impress ion always made was that of vast power never yet called out."
By invitation of Peter Harvey, there was a memorable festival at Boston, January 18, 1859, to celebrate the seventy-seventh anniversary of Mr. Webster's birthday. All who participated by speech or by letter had been closely connected with him, and spoke from personal knowledge.
Gen. Caleb Cushing was called to preside. In his opening address he alluded to the intimacy existing between them in public and private life, and spoke of " his respect, admiration and attachment for Webster, be ginning at an early date, and acquiring new strength with every day of a constant and most confidential intimacy." ..." Cherishing and honoring the name of Webster, we cherish and honor the Constitution he defended, the Liberty he maintained, and the Union he upheld, as one and inseparable, now and forever. We but tread the path of his own great foot-prints, indelibly stamped on the face of the rock of ages, like those of the pre-Adamite collossus- birds on the banks of the Connecticut, so long as we follow the flag, and keep step to the music of the Union." His speech abounded in classical allusions, of which his mind was so full, comparing Mr. Webster with the great men of antiquity. Rufus Choate spoke with his usual marvelous eloquence, so soon to be hushed, for his health had be gun to fail, and he died the same year. There was a sad tone to his
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WEBSTER'S OFFICE AT MARSHFIELD.
remarks, for there were forebodings of the terrible strife so soon to deluge the land with fraternal blood, from the sorrow of which, however, he was spared. He dwelt on the reserved power in Mr. Webster and his love of the Union: —
"Although I have seen him act, and have heard him speak and give counsel in very sharp and difficult cases, I always felt that if more had been needed, more could have
