expressed in a few words his doubts and fears. Immediately Mr.
Tazewell from Virginia broke out upon him in a speech of two hours.
Mr. Webster then moved an adjournment, and on the next day
delivered a most masterly speech in reply, expounding the whole
operation of the intended act in the clearest manner, so that a
recommitment was carried almost without an effort. It was a triumph
of the most gratifying nature, and taught his opponents the danger
of provoking a trial of his strength, even when he was overwhelmed
by calamity. In the labors of the court he has found it difficult
to work himself up to high efforts; but occasionally he comes out
with all his powers, and when he does, it is sure to attract a
brilliant audience."

It would be impossible to give a better picture than that presented by
Judge Story of Mr. Webster's appearance and conduct in the month
immediately following the death of his wife. We can see how his talents,
excited by the conflicts of the Senate and the court, struggled, sometimes
successfully, sometimes in vain, with the sense of loss and sorrow which
oppressed him.

He did not again come prominently forward in the Senate until the end of
April, when he roused himself to prevent injustice. The bill for the relief
of the surviving officers of the Revolution seemed on the point of being
lost. The object of the measure appealed to Mr. Webster's love for the
past, to his imagination, and his patriotism. He entered into the debate,
delivered the fine and dignified speech which is preserved in his works,
and saved the bill.

A fortnight after this he made his famous speech on the tariff of 1828, a
bill making extensive changes in the rates of duties imposed in 1816 and