A FEW of the early letters of Mr. Webster, and his brother
Ezekiel, have escaped the changes and accidents of more than
half a century. These precious memorials bear the marks of
age and decay. The manuscripts are worn and discolored, and
their contents are deciphered with some difficulty, but the senti-
ments they contain are as fresh and vigorous as though they
had been penned but yesterday. They breathe forth the warm
affections of loving hearts, and reveal the manly opinions of
earnest minds. A peculiar interest attaches to these letters.
They relate to a very important period in the history of the.
writers. They show how these young students, by the home-
bred virtues of industry and perseverance, forged their armor for
the battle of life, and put on, at the very commencement of the
struggle, that invincible panoply of good habits and correct
opinions by means of which, in after years, they were enabled
to achieve such memorable victories. The difficulties and trials,
which they met and overcame, are precisely the same which lie
in the path of every youth who depends on his own resources
for his future success. A knowledge of the history of the first
twenty years of a man's life is essential to the right appreciation
of his subsequent career. During this period, the constitutional
tendencies are manifested, the native endowments developed,
and the moral character formed. The four years of a collegiate
course subject every quality and faculty of the head and heart
to the severest trial. It is generally conceded, that the moral
and intellectual powers are fully and fairly exhibited during the
process of education. Tried by this standard, the academic
life of Daniel and Ezekiel Webster is a true index of their con-
duct and ability, as public men, in maturer years.

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