Webster's theme was a cold-blooded murder in a quiet New England town.

Comparison between such topics, when one is so infinitely larger than the other, seems at first sight almost impossible.

But Mr.Webster also dealt with the workings of the human heart under the influence of the most terrible passions, and those have furnished sufficient material for the genius of Shakespeare.

The test of excellence is in the treatment, and in this instance Mr.Webster has never been excelled.

The effect of that exordium, delivered as he alone could have delivered it, must have been appalling.