Mr.Webster, as well as Mr.
Adams's son and grandson, received numerous letters of inquiry on this point, and it is possible that many people still persist in this belief as to the origin of the passage.

Such an effect was not produced by mere clever imitation, for there was nothing to imitate, but by the force of a powerful historic imagination and a strong artistic sense in its management.
In 1828 Mr.Webster delivered an address before the Mechanics' Institute in Boston, on "Science in connection with the Mechanic Arts," a subject which was outside of his usual lines of thought, and offered no especial attractions to him.

This oration is graceful and strong, and possesses sufficient and appropriate eloquence.

It is chiefly interesting, however, from the reserve and self-control, dictated by a nice sense of fitness, which it exhibited.

Omniscience was not Mr.Webster's foible.