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 days 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.

position to look elsewhere for a more learned and accomplished instructor. He naturally turned his thoughts toward Boston, then, as now, regarded as the capital of New England. Among the lawyers who at that time held an eminent position at that bar was the Hon. Christopher Gore; and him Webster selected as his professional tutor.

Mr. Gore was every way worthy of this preference. He was a native of Boston, a graduate of Harvard University, and had entered upon the practice of the law soon after the opening of the courts which followed the proclamation of peace in 1783. He was appointed by Washington the first United States District Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, and was subsequently made a commissioner with William Pinckney, under the seventh article of Jay's treaty with England, to reside in England. After his return to Boston he was elected Governor of Massachusetts, and Senator in Congress from his native State. A man of such ability was a fit instructor for the aspiring and enlarging intellect of young Webster; and it is a circumstance which is recorded greatly to his praise that he soon discerned the superior intellectual power which his pupil possessed, and admitted him to terms of familiarity and equality of intercourse which were rarely permitted to others under similar circumstances, and which conferred very great credit upon both of them.

Mr. Webster remained in the office of Governor Gore from July, 1804, till March, 1805, assiduously pursuing his studies and devoting his attention more particularly to the higher and more abstruse branches of the law. He also made himself familiar with a wide range of English history; being persuaded, as every intelligent jurist must be, that law is in itself in a great measure an historical science, and that no one can be a master in it who is not acquainted with the annals of the English nation and the gradual de

velopment and consolidation of English common law. So ardent and protracted were Mr. Webster's studies that his health began to be affected by it, and the relaxation of travelling became necessary for him. Accordingly, accompanied by Mr. Baldwin, an intelligent citizen of Boston, he journeyed in the autumn of 1804 through a portion of New England and New York. He stopped a short time at Albany, and was courteously received and entertained by the Schuylers and Van Rensselaers, the social magnates of the place. He impressed all whom he met with a conviction of his superior mental powers.

Having returned to Boston, he resumed his legal studies; and soon an incident occurred which displayed in a clear and convincing light his stability of character and his resolution of purpose. His father's estate was at that time considerably embarrassed with debt; and that debt had been chiefly incurred by his efforts to support his sons Daniel and Ezekiel during their collegiate studies. A pecuniary obligation in that day, when imprisonment for debt was still the disgrace and stigma of the law of the land, was a very serious matter; and it was natural that his incumbrances should be the cause of much anxiety to Webster's father, and that he should use his utmost endeavors to be released from the oppressive burden. In pursuance of this purpose, he succeeded in obtaining for his son Daniel the appointment of clerk to the Court of Common Pleas in his native county; an office which was worth fifteen hundred dollars, a large portion of which could be appropriated to the liquidation of the father's debts. He immediately wrote to Daniel, informing him of his good fortune, and requiring him to return at once to Salisbury to enter upon the duties of his new office.

This proposition was a sudden blow to all the ambitious aspirings of the young student. To relinquish his cherished