Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) to Harriette Story Paige
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01946.35 Author/Creator: Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 April 1847 Pagination: 4p. ; 24.6 x 20.7 cm. Order a Copy
On a tour through the southern states, Webster writes to his sister-in-law Paige, stating that Richmond, Virginia has a "pleasant beat." Poetically describes morning as a "new image of light, a new breaking forth of the sun, a new waking up of all that has life, from a sort of temporary death, to behold, again the works of God, the Heavens & the Earth." Reports that he had left Washington the previous day with his wife Caroline LeRoy Webster, William Seaton (Webster's friend and co-owner of the congressional paper The National Intelligencer), Josephine Seaton (William's daughter), and other acquaintances Mary Scott and Mr. Schroeder. States that New York Representative Edward Curtis jumped aboard at the last minute.
Richmond, April 29. 1847
5. Oclock. A.M.
Whether it is a favor, or an annoyance, you [illegible] this letter to my habit of early rising. How the hour marked at the top of the page, you will naturally conclude that my companions are not now engaging my attention, as we have not calculated on being early travelers today. This City has a "pleasant beat." [This] high the James River runs below us & when I went out, an hour ago, nothing was heard but the roar of the falls. The air is tranquil, & its temperature mild. It is morni[n]g & a morni[n]g sweet & fresh, & delightful. Every body knows the mori[n]g in its metaphorical sense, applied to so many objects, & on to many occasions. The health, thought & beauty of early years, lead us to call that period the "mornig of life," of a lovely young woman, we say she is "bright as the mornig"; & no one doubts why Lucifer is called "[dew] of the mornigs." [2] "Mornigs" But the mornig itself, few people, inhabitants of Cities, know anything about. [Away] all our good people of Boston, not one in a thousand see the sun rise, once a year. They know nothing of the "mornig." Their idea of it is, that it is that part of the day, which comes along after a cup of coffee, & a beef steak or a piece of toast. With them, mornig is not a new image of light, a new breaking forth of the sun, a new waking up of all that has life, from a sort of temporary death, to behold, again the works of God, the Heavens & the Earth; it is only a part of the domestic day, belonging to breakfast, to reading the newspaper, answering notes, sending the children to school & giving orders for dinners. The first faint streak of light, the earliest purpling of this Earth, which the earth springs up to greet, & the deeper & deeper coloring into orange & red, till at length this "glorious sun is seen, regent of day," this they never enjoy for they never see. Beautiful descriptions of the "mornig" abound in all languages, but they are the strongest, perhaps in [these] of the earth, when the Sun is [illegible] an object of worship. King Davis speaks of [illegible] to himself the "wings of the mornig." This is highly [3] highly practical & beautiful. The "wings of the mornig" are the beams of the rising sun. Rays of light are wings. It is thus said, that the sun of righteousness shall arise, "with healing in his wings"; a rising sun, which shall scatter light & health & joy, throughout the universe. Milton has fine descriptions of mornigs, but not as many as Shakespeare, from whose writings appear, of the most beautiful images, [strikeout] are founded on the glory of the mornig, [might] [illegible] [illegible].
I never thought that Adam had much advantage of us, from having seen the world, while it was new. The manifestations of the power of God, like his mercies, are "new every "mornig" & [fresh] every moment." We see as fine risings of the sun, as ever Adam saw; & its risings are as much a miracle now, as they were in his day; & I think, a good deal more, because it is now a part of the miracle, that for thousands & thousands of years, he has come to his appointed time, with out the [variation] of a millionth part of a second. Adam could [inserted: not] tell how this might be!
I know the mornigs; I am acquainted with it & I love it, [4] I love it, fresh & sweet as it is, a daily new creation breaking forth & calling all that have life, & breath & being, to new adoration, new enjoyment, & new gratitude.
We left Washington yesterday at 9 o'clock. Mrs. W., Miss [Seaton], & myself, Mr. Seaton sons with me, and Mary Scott & Mr Shraeder, as far as the Boat comes; and just as the boat was leaving the wharf, who would jump aboard but Mr. Curtis! We had not looked for him & great was our joy. We left him on board & [struck: left] [inserted: brought] him & Mary Scott here. They go back to [illegible] [illegible] 8 oclock - we stay here today. Mrs. W. has some head ache. Tomorrow we leave for Raleigh, at an hour which the world calls "mornig." This air is fine: quite cool enough & dry. What struck me, last Eveni[n]g, was the dryness of the night air. Of all the Cities of the Atlantic South, this is probably the finest, for elevation, situation, handsome houses, & public buildings, & prospects of growth. Be kind eno. to give or send our love to your husband & children.
Yrs affectionately
Danl Webster
Mrs Paige
[inserted vertically in the left-hand column]
A Letter written within a day or two wd. find us at Charleston.
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