Immediately Mr.
Tazewell from Virginia broke out upon him in a speech of two hours.
Mr.Webster then moved an adjournment, and on the next day delivered a most masterly speech in reply, expounding the whole operation of the intended act in the clearest manner, so that a recommitment was carried almost without an effort.

It was a triumph of the most gratifying nature, and taught his opponents the danger of provoking a trial of his strength, even when he was overwhelmed by calamity.

In the labors of the court he has found it difficult to work himself up to high efforts; but occasionally he comes out with all his powers, and when he does, it is sure to attract a brilliant audience." It would be impossible to give a better picture than that presented by Judge Story of Mr.Webster's appearance and conduct in the month immediately following the death of his wife.

We can see how his talents, excited by the conflicts of the Senate and the court, struggled, sometimes successfully, sometimes in vain, with the sense of loss and sorrow which oppressed him.
He did not again come prominently forward in the Senate until the end of April, when he roused himself to prevent injustice.

The bill for the relief of the surviving officers of the Revolution seemed on the point of being lost.