Others loved him, and sacrificed to him, but he loved them in return and appreciated their sacrifices.

These conditions of his early days must, however, have had an effect upon his disposition and increased his belief in the fitness of having the devotion of other people as one of his regal rights and privileges, while, at the same time, it must have helped to expand his affections and give warmth to every generous feeling.
The passions for reading and play went with him to Dartmouth, the little New Hampshire college of which he was always so proud and so fond.

The instruction there was of good quality enough, but it was meagre in quantity and of limited range, compared to what is offered by most good high schools of the present day.

In the reminiscences of his fellow-students there is abundant material for a picture of Webster at that time.

He was recognized by all as the foremost man in the college, as easily first, with no second.
Yet at the same time Mr.Webster was neither a student nor a scholar in the truest sense of the words.