FUNERAL ORATION, OCCASIONED BY THE DEATH OF EPHRAIM SIMONDS, OF TEMPLETON, MASSACHUSETTS, A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR CLASS IN DARTMOUTH COLLEGE; WHO DIED AT HANOVER, (N.H.) ON THE 18TH OF JUNE 1801, AET. 26. BY DANIEL WEBSTER, A CLASS-MATE OF THE DECEASED

Hanover: Moses Davis, 1801. 13, [1 blank] pp, with the half title as issued. Trimmed closely at top margin, shaving the top portion of '13' in the page enumeration on page 13. Light blindstamp on half title, scattered light wear and fox, else Very Good. Bound in modern green morocco, with marbled endpapers.

This, Webster's second published speech, is preceded only by his July 4, 1800 oration as a member of the Junior Class at Dartmouth. He dedicates his Oration to Mr. and Mrs. Simonds, parents of the unfortunate Ephraim. An Ode, attributed to Webster, is included at the end: "What mournful voice thus sounds afar?/ 'Tis Simond's Ghost on evening air."
Webster, whose oratorical abilities had received early recognition at Dartmouth, says, "This day completes the course of our Collegiate studies, and gives us to the world." He looks forward to class reunions, "But with Simonds we meet not again!" Among Webster's several speeches during his Dartmouth days, his Simonds oration "was the most remarkable for its unaffected directness, compelling emotion, and strong religious feeling" [Remini, DANIEL WEBSTER 54].
FIRST EDITION. AI 1629 [3]. Sabin 102255.