1889

In the 1955 Alumni Fund campaign, contributions were made in memory of the following deceased classmates: Henry P. Blair, David N.Blakely, Dexter D. Dow, Nathaniel K. Noyes,Burt H. Redfield and James A. Wellman. Widows, relatives or friends wishing to pay tribute to deceased members of our Class in this year's campaign should send their contributions before June 30 direct to the Dartmouth Alumni Fund, Hanover, N. H., and state in whose name and by whom (giving address) the memorial contribution is made. Its receipt will be promptly and appreciatively acknowledged.

Your secretary continues to climb to the top of Beacon Hill to attend to his duties as treasurer of the New England Historic Genealogical Society at 9 Ashburton Place, Boston. He is serving his fourth consecutive term in office.

In the spring of 1839 Daniel Webster sailed from New York for England accompanied by his second wife, Caroline Le Roy, his daughter Julia and Mrs. Harriette Story Paige, a relative. Their visit in England and in Paris lasted the remainder of the year. Queen Victoria had just ascended the throne of England. Webster was then at the height of his legal and oratorical fame. His reputation as our foremost living orator had already preceded him, and London society received him and his party in a hearty, friendly manner. They were invited to breakfasts, dinners and soirees, and soon found themselves in a mad whirl of engagements. Webster was asked to meet virtually every distinguished Englishman then in London. He dined with the Duke of Buckingham and visited the law courts under the tutelage of Lord Brougham. The climax came when he and his party were presented to the young Queen Victoria at a royal ball, and later had the privilege of chatting with her less formally. No Americans had ever received a warmer reception in London. After their weeks of gaiety in London, they set out for Oxford, Warwick, and Stratford, thence to Wales and the English Lakes, up to Scotland, and back through the eastern counties and the cathedral towns of Durham, Ripon, York and Lincoln. They were guests of Lord Lonsdale at Lowthier Castle, of the Duke of Rutland at Belvoir, and of John Gibson Lockhart, son-in-law of Sir Walter Scott, while in Scotland. Along the entire way they were entertained, often lavishly, by members of the nobility to whom they had letters of introduction. When they returned to London, Julia Webster and Samuel A. Appleton, who had meanwhile arrived in England, were married on September 24 at the historic St. George's Church in Hanover Square, after which the entire party, except Webster himself, crossed the Channel for a few weeks on the Continent. Webster rejoined his family in Paris a few weeks later, where they were guests of Lewis Cass, his old school friend, who was then our Minister to France.

While in Paris the American statesman and his party were introduced to the court of Louis Philippe and attended the soirees of Marshal Soult of Napoleon's Grande Armee. They dined at Tortoni's, saw Mile. Mars at the Theatre Fraricaise, and the ladies of the company shopped to their hearts' content in the Rue de la Paix. Early in November they returned to England. Here they remained until sailing for home later in November in a ship which arrived in New York December 28, after a voyage of 35 days from Portsmouth, England. One of Webster's earliest hosts in England was John Kenyon, the poet, an English gentleman of fortune and culture. They first met in London. A warm friendship arose between them. In July Webster visited Windsor. Kenyon happened to run across him while there. As they were about to part, Kenyon asked Webster to give him his autograph to keep as a recollection of their pleasant meetings. Webster wrote:

"When yon and I are dead and gone This busy world will still jog on And laugh and sing, and be as hearty As if we still were of the party. Windsor Castle Inn, July 19, 1839. (Signed) Dan'l Webster."

Secretary, Treasurer and BequestChairman, 108 Mt. Vernon St., Boston 8, Mass.

Class Agent, 29 Ocean View Rd., Cape Elizabeth, Me.