The childhood of Webster has a deep interest which is by no means usual.

Great men in their earliest years are generally much like other boys, despite the efforts of their biographers to the contrary.

If they are not, they are very apt to be little prigs like the second Pitt, full of "wise saws and modern instances." Webster was neither the one nor the other.

He was simple, natural, affectionate, and free from pertness or precocity.

At the same time there was an innate power which impressed all those who approached him without their knowing exactly why, and there was abundant evidence of uncommon talents.