The life, speeches, and memorials of Daniel Webster

Front matter

Class Book

SMITHSONIAN DEPOSIT

V

Chapter I. Page

Birth of Daniel Webster — Sketcli of his Family — His Boj'hood— His First Teachers — Enters a Law-Office — Becomes a Student of Philliiis Academy — Peculiarities of Dr. Abbot — Webster commences to teach School — His Usefulness and Success 9

Chapter II

Webster's Intercourse with Dr. Samuel Wood — He prepares himself for College — He enters Dartmouth College — H_is_Habits and Pursuits — He delivers a Fourth-of-July Oration — Extract from it — He completes his Collegiate Course — His Speech at graduating 16

Chapter III

Webster continues the Study of the Law — He becomes Principal of Fryeburg Academy — Mr. Fessenden — His Further Studies with Mr. Thomson — His Piemoval 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.... 24

Chapter IV

Calamity at Portsmouth — Webster's Second Term in Congress — The Tariff — Webster's Opposition to it — His Removal to Boston — His Professional Distinction — -Case of Kenniston rs. Goodridge— Mr. Webster declines Political Honors — Continues his Professional Labors — Serves in the Convention to Revise the Constitution of Massachusetts — Celebrated Dartmouth College Case — Signal Display of Mr. Webster's Abilities 36

Chapter V

Mr. Webster again elected to Congress — Debates in Congress respecting Greece — Mr. Webster's Speech on the Occasion — Extract from it — His

1« 6

6 CONTE^"TS.

PAGE

Opposition to the Tariff — Mr. Webster's Speech on the Lajdng of Bunker Hill Mouumeut — Chairman of the Judiciary Committee — Reform in the U. S. Supreme Court — Mr. Webster's Speech on the Death of .John Adams — He is elected Senator from Massachusetts in the Twentieth Congress... 52

Chapter VI

Webster's Reply to Mr. Haync — Preliminary Circumstances — Speeches of Mr. Benton — Mr. Hayne's First Speech— His Character and Talents — Mr. A\^ebster's First Speech in Reply— The Second Speech of Mr. Hayne — Its Character — Extract from it — Mr. Webster's Reply — Intense Interest felt on the Occasion — Mr. Webster's Apjuarance and Manner — The Audience — Qualities of his TTfeat Bpeech — Its Prodigious "Effect and Power 68

Chapter VII

Death of Mrs. Webster — Mr. Webster's Second Marriage — The Celebrated Case of John Francis Knapp — Circumstances of the Case — Revelations of Hatch — Of Palmer — Crowninsbicld arrested — The Two Knnpps — Confession of Joseph Knapi) — Trial of Francis and Joseph Knapp — The Result — Mr. Choate's Narrative — Mr. Webster's Ability as a Criminal Lawyer — The Variety of his Talents 88

Chapter VIII

Accession of General Jackson to the Presidency — Mr. Van Buren rejected as Minister to England — Mr. Webster supports the Renewal of the Charter of the U. S. Bank — Removal of the Deposits — Disastrous Consequences — Mr. Webster's Speeches on the Subject — Nullification in South Carolina — Mr. Webster's Celebrated Speech thereon — The Action of the President and of Congress — Accession of Van Burcn to the Presidency — The Sub-Treasury Scheme — Mr. Webster's Opposition to it — Abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia 98

Chapter IX

Mr. Webster's Visit to England — Election of General Harrison to the Presidency — His Death — Accession of Mr. Tyler — The " Treaty of Washington" — Its Various Provisions — Ability displayed by Mr. Webster as a Diplomatist — Approval of the Treaty by Congress and the Executive — '' ImprcKument" — Great Oration of Mr. Webster in Faneuil Hall — Extract from the Speech — Hostility of C. J. Ingersoll to Mr. Webster — Mr. Webster's Retort upon him 113

Chapter X

Temporary Retirement of Mr. AVebster from Political Life — His Legal Arguments — The Girard Will Case — Suit against the City of Boston — Mr. Webster returns to the Senate — Annexation of Texas — Dispute respect-

CONTENTS. 7

PAGE

ing Oregon Territory — The Mexican War — Admission of California — The Compromise Measures of Mr. Clay — Mr. Webster's Able Speech on the Subject 127

Chapter XI

Death of General Taylor — Mr. Webster's Eulogy upon Him — Mr. Webster's Last Speech in the Senate — Mr. Fillmore appoints him Secretary of State — Mr. Webster's Celebrated Letter to Chevalier Hiilsemann — Disputed Authorship — Expedition of Lopez against Cuba — Its Results — Other Questions of Importance disposed of by Mr. Webster — His Treatment of Kossuth 136

CHxVPTER XII.

Approach of Mr. Webster's Last Illness — His Religious Opinions — A Summary of it — Mr. Webster's Will — New and Alarming Symptoms — Mr. Webster's Scrutiny of his Own Dissolution — His Death — His Intellectual Character — Parallel between Him and Alexander Hamilton — Mr. AVebster's Slvill in Agriculture — His Library — His Favorite Amusements — His Fondne?s for the Sea-Shore — The Admirable Proportion of his Mental Faculties — His Peculiarities as an Orator — His Great Logical Power— His Boldness and Fortitude — The Permanence and Splendor of his Fame 144

I. — Mr. Webster's Reply to Mr. Hayne in the U. S. Senate, January

26, 18.30 159

II. — Speech in the Senate on the Slavery Compromise, March 7, 1850. 253

III. — Speech on the Greek Revolution, delivered in the House of Representatives, January 19, 1823 305

rV. — Speech on the Trial of John F. Knapip for murder, at Salem, Massachusetts 347

V. — Argument in the Goodridge Case, delivered in April, 1817, at

Ipswich Massachusets 41S

8 CONTENTS.

PAGE

I. — Eulogy by Mr. Davis in the United States Senate 441

II. — Eulogy by Mr. Butler 445

III.— Eulogy by Mr. Cass 447

IV.— Eulogy by Mr. Seward 453

v.— Eulogy by Mr. Stockton 459

VI. — Eulogy by Mr. Davis, in the House of Representatives 462

VII. — Eulogy by Mr. Appleton 404

VIII.— Eulogy by Mr. Preston 469

IX. — Eulogy by Mr. Seymour 473

X.— Eulogy by Mr. Chandler 477

XI. — Eulogy by Mr. Bayly 481

XII. — Eulogy by Mr. Stanley 485

XIIL— Eulogy by Mr. Taylor 490

XIV. — Address of Edward Everett, delivered in Boston 493

XV. — Rufus Choate's Address to the Boston Bar 501

XVI. — Eulogy delivered by George S. Hillard in Boston 514

XVII. — Eulogy delivered by Hiram Ketchum, in New York 541

XVIIL— The Obsequies of Daniel Webster 545 at

THE

LIFE AND TIMES

OF

DANIEL WEBSTER.

Chapter I

Birth of Daniel Webster — Sketch of his Family — His Boyhood — His First Teachers — Euters a Law-Office — Becomes a Studeut of Phillips Academy — Peculiarities of Dr. Abbot — Webster commences to teach School — His Usefulness and Success.

All civilized nations have been proud of the fame of their most eminent orators and statesmen. Greece, the gifted land of ancient art and genius, boasts of her Demosthenes and ^schines ; Rome, the martial mistress of the world, of her Cicero and Hortensius ; England, of her Chatham and Burke ; France, of her Mirabeau and Vergniaud. Our own country justly entertains the same sentiment of partiality and admiration for her two most illustrious citizens, her Clay and Webster. These are her greatest intellectual giants ; and around their achievements as orators, as patriots, and as statesmen a deathless interest will continue to cluster, as long as this Republic retains a place either in reality, or even in history, and as long as liberty is enjoyed or revered among men.

Daniel Webster, the intellectual Colossus of the New

World, was born at Salisbury, New Hampshire, on tlie 18th of January, 1782. He was the youngest son of Ebenezer and Abigail Webster. He first saw the light in the remotest recesses of what was at that time the extreme verge of civilization, on the northeastern boundary of the United States. The humble tenement in which he was born was the last house which then existed in the direction of the Canadian frontier.

Daniel was one of a family of ten children ; and his ancestors were worthy to have preceded so illustrious a man. They had been residents of Rockingham county, New Hampshire, from the commencement of the eighteenth century, and had always been esteemed for their superior intelligence and moral worth. His father, Ebenezer Webster, Avas a man of rare virtues and of great mental powers. His large, muscular frame encased a soul gifted with qualities which allied him in character to the sternest sa<Tes of Greece or Rome. He never attended school a single day ; yet by his self-taught exertions he attained a wide and accurate acquaintance with knowledge of almost every description. In those primeval times when the luxuries and even the conveniences of civilization were rarely attainable, except by those most favored by fortune, Ebenezer Webster pursued his lonely and undirected studies at night by the lurid light of blazing pine-knots ; and thus he gradually prepared himself to assume no humble place among his contemporaries. During the trials of the Revolutionary era he was made the captain of a company of his co-patriots; he served with honor at Bennington and White Plains ; and, after peace was proclaimed, he received, among other marks of esteem and confidence from his fellow-citizens, the office of Associate Judge in the Court of Common Pleas.

Of the other members of the family, the most remarka.l)]e was Ezekiel Webster, an elder brother of Daniel. He too became a lawyer, was a man of superior ability, possessing the same massive mould of intellectual as well as physical character which marked his more illustrious brother ; but he died suddenly and prematurely, in the midst of an argument which he was delivering before the court at Concord, in his native State, at the age of fortynine.

The boyhood of Daniel Webster was spent in the obscure and rural retreat where he was born. At this period he was of slender frame and delicate health. It is narrated that the most remarkable feature of the strangely intelligent and thoughtful child then were two immense eyes, which seemed to be instinct with thought, feeling, and expression ; and, as we turn over the annals of the earliest years of this wondrous man, we meet with additional proofs that a mother's mind and power, as in the vast majority of cases, moulded and gave character to the future mental and moral qualities of the man. Daniel's mother was his first and best teacher. From her he received the first rudiments of learning. His first text-book was also the best ; for it was the Bible. So early had he been taught his letters, that he is reported to have declared that he could not remember the time when he could not spell. As he grew in years, he increased in intelligence, and was remarked for a degree of wit which surpassed his fellows. When a boy, having set the bed-clothes on fire while reading late at night, he replied, when reproved for his carelessness, that he was in search of light, but was sorry to say that he received more of it than he desired.

The first school which Daniel attended was situated two miles and a half from the paternal residence, and it was necessary for him, even during the severest rigors of winter, to walk thither and back. He was ardent in the pursuit of knowledge, and, indeed, seemed intuitively to appreciate i's vast importance. At the age of fourteen he could repeat from memorj the whole of Pope's Essay on Man, together with a large proportion of the hymns and psalms of Dr. Watts. His first teachers were Thomas Chase and James Tappan, to whom belonged the honor of having aided in the opening of the mind and the first development of the powers of this as yet quiescent and infant giant. These faithful and patient pedagogues have long since passed away to the oblivious repose of the tomb ; but their services in this connection entitle them to honorable mention in the history of their illustrious pupil through all coming time.

It is also worthy of remark that during his boyish days Daniel was called on to contribute his share of manual work to the usual labors of his father's farm ; and we may readily imagine the boy, arrayed in his tow frock and trowsers, with his rake or sickle in his hand, perspiring at every pore, toiling hard during the long days of harvesttime to gather the gold-bearing crop. Of this feature of his youthful days Daniel Webster Avas ever afterward proud; and in his great speech on the "Agriculture of England," delivered in Boston in 1840, he referred with undisguised pleasure to the fact that in his early life he had been made familiar with the labors and the details of husbandry.

At the age of fourteen Daniel was permitted by his father to become ofiice-boy to Mr. Thomas W. Thompson, a young lawyer who at that period removed to Elm Farm and commenced practice. The latter was frequently compelled to be absent from home, and he needed some one to answer for him to clients and visitors when he himself was not present. He rewarded the lad by permitting him to use some of his books, and by giving him useful 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 eliiborate 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, 179(3, 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 Ens;- land. He rode thither on a side-sflddle placed upon a horse intended for the use of a lady in Exeter, and his appearance was not the most attractive. His outward 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 accompanied 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 v.;i3 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 11.

Webster's Intercourse with Dr. Samuel Wood — He prepares himself for College — He enters Dartmouth College — His Habits and Pursuits — He 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 graduitte 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 montlis 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. Tlie proposition at first startled him. Tliat was a bold and ambitious venture for his favorite son, which he had never anticipated, and scarce even then dared to contemplate. Though he tlien possessed a large tract of land, which in the progi'ess 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 aflFection 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 Avoven, 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.

2*

During Webster's residence at Dartmouth College he was studious, orderly and industrious. It has long been the fashion of common and vulgar report to represent his conduct at this time differently ; and thousands of idle and worthless juveniles, who have wasted and squandered the inestimable advantages of early education which were offered them, and frequently almost forced upon them, have excused their fatal follies and neglect of their opportunities by the supposed example of young Webster. ISTothing coubl be more erroneous and preposterous than the supposition that he was idle and negligent of his studies while at college. His teachers at the institution boldly predicted his future eminence ; nor would they have done this had his conduct not then been Avorthy of admiration and applause. He did not excel in Greek and mathematics : for these branches he exhibited but little fondness. But every other department of academical learning, especially logic, psychology, moral philosophy, and all those sciences which particularly require grasp and profundity of thought, he mastered with facility. When in his seventeenth year, in 1800, he was invited by the citizens of Hanover to deliver a Fourth-of-July oration. He accepted the invitation, which Avas itself a mark of honor, and delivered the first of his speeches, of which a record has been transmitted to posterity. It was entitled " An Oration pronounced at Hanover, New Hampshire, on the 4th of July, 1800, being the Twenty-Fourth Anniversary of American Independence, by Daniel Webster, member of the Junior Class, Dartmouth University." It Avas published by the request of the subscribers, and printed at Hanover by Moses David, shortly after its delivery. That tiie reader may form an idea of the style of the youthful orator, we will quote an extract from this singular yet meritorious production :

or DANIEL WEBSTER. 19

" No sooner was peace restored with England (the first grand article of which was the acknowledo-ment of our Independence) than the old system of Confederation, dictated at first by necessity, and adopted for the purposes of the moment, was found inadequate to the government of an extensive empire. Under a full conviction of this, we then saw the people of these States engaged in a transaction v.diich is undoubtedly the greatest approximation toward human perfection the political world ever yet witnessed, and which, perhaps, will forever stand in the history of mankind without a parallel. A great Republic, composed of different States, whose interest in all respects could not be 'perfectly compatible, then came deliberately forward, discarded one system of government and adopted another, without the loss of one man's blood.

"There is not a single Government now existino- in Europe which is not based in usurpation, and established, if established at all, by the sacrifice of thousands. But in the adoption of our present system of jurisprudence we see the powers necessary for government voluntarily flowing from the people, their only proper origin, and directed to the public good, their only proper object.

"With peculiar propriety we may now felicitate ourselves on tluit happy form of mixed government under which we live. The advantages resulting to the citizens of the Union' are utterly incalculable, and the day when it was received by a majority of the States shall stand on the catalogue of American anniversaries second to none but the birthday of Independence.

" In consequence of the adoption of our present system of government, and the virtuous manper in which it was administered by a Washington and an Adams, we are this day in the enjoyment of peace, while war devastates Europe ! We can now sit down beneath the shadow of the olive, while her cities blaze, her streams run purple with blood, and her fields glitter with a forest of bayonets ! The citizens of America can this day thi'ong the temples of freedom and renew their oaths of fealty to independence, while Holland, our once sister Republic, is erased from the catalogue of nations ; while Venice is destroyed, Italy ravaged, and Switzerland — the once happy, the once united, the once flourishing Switzerland — lies bleeding at every pore !

" No ambitious foe dares now invade our country. No standing army now endangers our liberty. Our commerce, though subject in some degree to the depredations of belligerent powers, is extended from pole to pole ; our navy, though just emerging from non-existence, shall soon vouch for the safety of our merchantmen, and bear the thunder of freedom around the ball. Fair Science, too, holds her gentle empire amongst us, and almost innumerable altars are raised to her divinity, from Brunswick to Florida. Yale, Providence, and Harvard now grace our land ; and Dartmouth, towering majestic above the groves which encircle her, now inscribes her glory on the registers of fame ! Oxford and Cambrid";e, those Oriental stars of literature, shall now be outshone by the bright sun of American science, which displays his broad circumference in uneclipsed radiance.

" Pleasing, indeed, were it here to dilate on the future grandeur of America ; but we forbear, and pause for a moment to drop the tear of affection over the graves of our departed warriors. Their names should be mentioned on every anniversary of Independence, that the youth of each successive generation may learn not to value life when held in competition with their country's safety.

" Wooster, IMontgomery, and Mercer fell bravely in battle, and their ashes are now entombed on the fields that witnessed their valor. Let their exertions in our country's cause be remembered while liberty has an advocate and gratitude has a place in the human heart.

" Greene, the immortal hero of the Carolinas, has since gone down "to the grave, loaded with honors, and high in the estimation of his countrymen. The courageous Putnam has long slept with his fathers ; and Sullivan and Cilley, New Hampshire's veteran sons, are no more remembered with the living.

" With hearts penetrated by unutterable grief, we are at leno;th constrained to ask, Where is our Washington? where the hero who led us to victory ? where the man who gave us freedom ? where is he who headed our feeble army when destruction threatened us, who came upon our enemies like the storms of winter and scattered them like leaves before the Borean blast? Where, my country, is thy political savior ? where, humanity, thy favorite son ?

" The solemnity of this assembly, the lamentations of the American people, will answer, ' Alas ! he is now no more ! the mighty is fallen !'

" Yes, Americans, Washington is gone ! he is now consigned to dust and sleeps in ' dull, cold marble !'

" The man who never felt a wound but when it pierced his country — who never groaned but when fair freedom bled — is now forever silent !

" Wrapped in the shroud of death, the dark dominions of the grave long since receive^l him, and he rests in undisturbed repose ! Vain were the attempt to express our loss, — vain the attempt to describe the feelings of our souls ! Though months have rolled away since his spirit left this terrestrial orb' and sought the shining worlds on high, yet the sad event is still remembered with increased sorrow. The hoary-headed patriot of '76 still tells the mournful story to the listening infant, till the loss of his country touches his heart and patriotism fires his breast. The aged matron still laments the loss of the man beneath whose banners her husband has fought or her son has fallen. At the name of Washington, the sympathetic tear still glistens in the eye of every youthful hero. Nor does the tender sigh yet cease to heave in the fair bosom of Columbia's daughters.

' Farewell, Washington, a long farewell ! Thy country's tears embalm thy memory ; Thy virtues challenge immortality ; Impress'd on grateful hearts, thy name shall live Till dissolution's deluge drown the world.'"

During Webster's fourth year in college he studied particularly intellectual philosophy, ethics, and international law ; while at the same time he paid special attention to his improvement in oratory. For this noble and masterly art he seemed to have, from an early period, a very strong predilection, and at a precocious age gave evidence of a future distinction in it. He perused the great masters of ancient and modern eloquence with intense interest, and endeavored to imitate some of theif qualities. At length the end of his academical career arrived. Four studious years had Webster spent at Dartmouth ; and each advancing month gave proof of his constant and rapid progress. On commencement-day he delivered an oration on " Natural Science," dwelling chiefly on the then recent and remarkable discoveries of Lavoisier in chemistry. Why he selected so dry and abstract a theme for the subject of a speech on such an occasion, it would be difficult to conjecture. It is probable that the distribution of themes among the other members of the graduating class may have been such as to render that subject desirable or even necessary on his part. He graduated on the 26th of