Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-07-14

preferred this situation; for although he pos
sessed considerable property in the neighbour
hood, there was nothing to prevent him from
fixing his residence wherever he thought
proper But it was debt Nature owed to
philosopher and man of taste, that in his own
possessions he should find spot, where he
might best study and enjoy her. He calls his
house Monticello, Gin Italian, Little Mountatn)
very modest title, for it is situated upon very
lofty one, but which announces the owners at.
tachmeat to the language Italy; and above all
the fine arts, of which that country was the era
die, and is still the asylum. AS had no farther
occasion for guide, separated from the irlsh'
man! and after ascending by tolerably COM
modious road, for more than half an hour, we
arrived at Monticello This house, of which
Mr.. Jefferson was the architect, and often one OF
the workmen, is rather elegant, and in the ltal-
ian taste, though not without fault; consists OF
one large square pavilion, the entrance oil %nich
is by two porticoes ornamented with pillars.
The ground floor consists chiefly OF very
large lofty saloon, which is to be decorated en-
tirely in the antique style: above II IS library
of the same form, TWO small wings, with only
ground floor, and attic story, are Joined TO TINS
pavilion, and communicate with the kitchen,
C..
story over which runs terrace. My object In
this short description is only to shew the dill
ference between this, and the other houses OF
the country, and we may safely aver, that Mr'
Jefferson is the first American who has consult
ed the fine arts 10 know how he should shelter
himself from the weather. But it is on
himself alone I ought to bestow my time Let
me describe to you man, not yet forty, tall,
@ -Ioo No hnt ~
mind and understanding are ample substitutes
for every exterior grace. An American, VINO
without ever having quilted his own coun-
try, is al once musician, skilled In drawing; a
geometrician, an astronomer, natural phlloso-
pher, legislator, and statesman. A senator OF
America, who sat for two years in that famous
Congress which brought about the revolution;
and which is never mentioned without respect,
though unhappily not without regret; govern
or of Virginia, who filled this difficult station
during the nvasions of .9rnoid of Phillips, and
of Coyn,canis; philosopher, in voluntary re-
tirement, from the world, and public business,
because he loves the world, inasmuch only as
he can fatter himself of being useful to mankind;
and the minds Of his countrymen are yet In
condition either 10 bear the light, or TO suffer
contradiction. A mild and amiable wife, Charm
| ing CnlQfeN, OF WnOSe tuuIdtiOh
| takes charge, house to embelish, great provl-
sions to improve, and the arts and sciences to
cultivate; these are what remain 10 Mr.. Jetter'
son, after having played principal character
on the theatre of the new world, and which he
preferred to the honorable commission oil MI
mister Plenipotentiary in Europe. The visit
which made him was not unexpected, Tor ne
had long since invited me TO come and pass
few days with him, in he centre OF the noun
tains; notwithstanding which found his first
appearance serious, nay even cold; but before
| had been two hours with him we were as init
mate as if we had passed our Whole lives to-
gether: walking, books, but above all, CONVEX
sa,ion always varied and interesting, always
supported by that sweet satisfaction expert
enced' by two persons, who in commune ting
tler sentiments and opinions, are Invariably in
unison, and who understand each other at the
first hint, made four days pass away like SO
many minutes
This conformity of sentiments and opinions
on which insist, because it constitutes my own
eulogium, (and self-love must somewhere shew
itseli) this conformity, / say, was so perfect,
that not only our taste was similar, but our pre-
! objections also, those par,ialities which cold
methodical minds ridicule as enthusiastic,
whilst sensible aud animated ones cherish and
adopt the glorious applications.
l