people, remarking that, in this country, there was an almost universal passion for killing and eating every wild animal that chanced to cross the pathway of man; while in England and other portions of Europe, these animals were kindly protected and valued for their companionship. "This, to me, is a great mystery," said he, "and, so far as my influence extends, the birds shall be protected." Just at this moment one of the quails mounted a little knoll and poured forth a few of its sweet and peculiar notes. Mr. Webster continued, "There, does not that gush of song do the heart a thousandfold more good than could possibly be derived from the death of that beautiful bird ?" The stranger thanked Mr. Webster for his reproof, and said afterward that this little incident had taught him to love the man whom he had before only admired as a statesman.

Having gone before the course of our narrative, to insert in this place anecdotes of the latter part of Mr. Webster's life, we may correct the error by going back to his early childhood, and showing who taught him to fish. While a bare-footed boy, in his fifth year, he was riding with his father upon the same horse. "Dan!" said the Colonel, "how would you like to catch a trout?" Of course

the lad could not but like such an achievement They dismounted, and the father cut a hazel-twig, to which he affixed a hook and line, which he produced from his pocket. Turning over a flat stone, he found a worm for bait, and told his son to creep upon a rock, and carefully throw it to the further side of a deep pool. The boy did as he was bidden, hooked a fish, lost his balance, and fell into the water; whence he was drawn ashore by his father, still clinging to his end of the line, while the fish was fast to the other. And that was the way Daniel Webster's first trout was landed.

CHAPTER IV.

Studies of the first two Years at Dartmouth-Young Webster a Schoolmaster in the Vacations - His Fondness for a Scholar's Life-His desire that his Brother Ezekiel should share his Pursuits — Difficulties in the Way - The Young Men pass a Night in considering them-Importance of Ezekiel's aid to his Father - Daniel introduces the Subject to the Old Gentleman The Mother called in to advise-Her prompt Decision-Ezekiel enters upon a Course of Preparation, and Daniel returns to College Change in his Costume-His Attention, through Life, to Personal Neatness - Third Year in College - Mr. Webster takes high Rank - Fourth of July Oration in 1800 — Anecdote of General Stark.

DURING the first year at college, Mr. Webster's studies were the Greek and Latin languages, the rules for speaking and composition, and the elements of mathematics. In the second year new books were taken in these languages, and logic and the higher branches of mathematics were added. Greek and mathematics were not studies in which his mind was interested. Logic, rhetoric, and the belles-lettres, history, biography and poetry were his delight. In geography, ancient and modern,

he was a proficient. In the Latin language he was, from the first, at home. The dictionary and grammar were impressed on his memory, and he read the Latin classics as a recreation, and not as a task. "If," he says, "at this early stage I had a desire for the future, it was to write as Virgil and Tacitus wrote, and to speak as Cicero spoke." But, though a good scholar, he did not rank as the best during his first years in college. Nor was it to be wondered that he could not, under his disadvantages, rank with those who had entered with everything in their favor.

We have mentioned Mr. Webster's first attempt at school-teaching, in 1797. In 1798 he again taught in his college vacation. A new schoolhouse had been erected in Salisbury, at "Shaw's Corner;" and Mr. Webster received for his second attempt having gained one year in age, and more in experience-six dollars a month. During his first term of teaching, his salary was only four dollars. Many of the district schools in New England are thus taught by students; but, during the last fifty years, the salary has advanced from this low standard, which was the rule when the student preparing for college was required to pay only one dollar per week for board and tuition.

At the end of Daniel's second year he spent a vacation at home. With advancement in his college course, and additional attention bestowed upon English literature, Mr. Webster was more in his element. Having reached a breathing-place in his progress, he began to feel more sensibly the happiness he enjoyed. Professor Sanborn thus narrates one of the most honorable passages in Daniel Webster's life: "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 for 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 endowments. He resolved that his brother, should enjoy the same privileges as 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 affections, and they must