One is a eulogy on a classmate who died before finishing his course, the other is a discourse on "Opinion," delivered before the society of the "United Fraternity." There is nothing of especial moment in the thought of either, and the improvement in style over the Hanover speech, though noticeable, is not very marked.

In the letters of that period, however, amid the jokes and fun, we see that Mr.Webster was already following his natural bent, and turning his attention to politics.

He manifests the same spirit as in his oration, and shows occasionally an unusual maturity of judgment.

His criticism of Hamilton's famous letter to Adams, to take the most striking instance, is both keen and sound.
After taking his degree in due course in 1801, Mr.Webster returned to his native village, and entered the office of a lawyer next door to his father's house, where he began the study of the law in compliance with his father's wish, but without any very strong inclination of his own.

Here he read some law and more English literature, and passed a good deal of time in fishing and shooting.