Above all they were conscious of something indefinable which conveyed a sense of greatness.

It is not usual to dwell so much upon mere physical attributes and appearance, but we must recur to them again and again, for Mr.Webster's personal presence was one of the great elements of his success; it was the fit companion and even a part of his genius, and was the cause of his influence, and of the wonder and admiration which followed him, as much almost as anything he ever said or did.
To Mr.Webster's college career belong the first fruits of his intellect.
He edited, during one year, a small weekly journal, and thus eked out his slender means.

Besides his strictly editorial labors, he printed some short pieces of his own, which have vanished, and he also indulged in poetical effusions, which he was fond of sending to absent friends.

His rhymes are without any especial character, neither much better nor much worse than most college verses, and they have no intrinsic value beyond showing that their author, whatever else he might be, was no poet.

But in his own field something of this time, having a real importance, has come down to us.