Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-06-21
VISIT TO MIR. MADISON
From the correspondent of tho Portland Evening Daily
ORANGE COURT House. (Yal Mav .:

ORANGE COURT House., (va.) May 49, 1888.
lett charlottesville little before midnight in the mail
distance thirty miles. AS Mr. MAdisons plantation is on
~ hVe miles distance from this, resolved TO stop and 10
i'it almost the last OF the Romans took horse rain
ing hough II was, and after going Virginia road
about three miles, which you probably know is one of the
worst in tho worlds for here is "unconsitutonal' TO
nave good roads, came TO byepath, of carriage
road that led into The woods when kept on riding and
riding Tor nearly two miles, mile and half p3ssiuo
gate that led to plantation till came to ano,her re-
met an old negro, who told the way, aud added that
his sold master would be glad to the young gemman -
Madison raised him., and that he he negro) was
now sixty one years OF age" and 'Mr. Madison was a
good MASTER, and "would let his oveseer make foht
with the men, thus running with communicative To-
qnaci'y' seeing he had found white listen to his
TAX: rode on then through well-but gate--on the
way-leading through immense field OF rye-bv
yet another gate-and came at last to large elegant
brick house, built III the Vrgnian fashion, viii, wings
projecting portico, walk in front, &C. &c
What on earth could send man here said TO ,nvseIf
here 80 lar from the road so far from neghbors so far
from the village, the Post Ocen this hide and
place in The woods where it is difficult to find dwelling
no matter how conspicuous it may te Bot such is the
Vrglnan fashion. The Vrgnians get off from the road
with the same zeal that we crowd on--and here you
may travel where there signs of life but where if
you were TO sound trumpet TO call men together
'hey would Jump up from the earth. Truly this is
retirement, this habltaton in such feld-in such val
iey-with the morning music Of The whippooryy and
the evening song of the Observation-Disclosures but h
solitary traveller who, perchance strays here az have
done, to pay the homage that is character TO nat
40
fastened my horse, and drew the door of the ward
with wellhted and well painted fence was miIsino
much on me changes That come over in the course
OF IOns NE How can we accustOm ourselvs 10 such
solitude after all the hustle Of an active life TO which we
have been habuated? How wc Withdraw and forget
men and things, and live and feed on the thoughts within
and with the fow unvarying companion. that on
own home affords Cicero in that admirable Treatise of
his-De Senectute puts into The mouth OF Scpio- think
IS lie, but my memory Of the readings of other DAYS is
even now growing rusy-he true lesson for ENJOYING
happy old age or change OF life, meek submission to
crcumsances. Ii was not long before saw living ex
empbcaiion and prsciiser Of all these lessons-w, vet
Cicero has spoken of.
raped at the door servant, courteous well .bred
and weldressed came TO my call. sent in my card for
not expecting to return home this way had refused let
ies offered me by friends in Washington Mr. and Mrs
Madison. The card was carried TO Mr. Madison-and
was invited into the pario in the centre of the building
iu oil the portraits OF eminent individuals among which
were those OF w sshingon and Jefferson, and Laayete
tbnk' out am not certanand Of paintings also repre-
senng different scenes and passions but chiefly of re-
hgous character The furniture of that rich old cast
which while ii keeps up the idea of magnicence carries
us back 10 other days and reminds u.s. that we are in the
houses OF our ancestors, fathers Mrs Madison soon
appeared, and after little conversation carried me into ber
husbands room and presented me TO Mr. Madison He was
lying on his bed, ia thick sk obe-readng-with The
book near at his side and his peclacles put i'm to preserve
e place Ills reception was generous and courteous His
conversation huen agreeable, vigorous, and fankand
displayed even topics instruction and interest
There - decay Of mndnot the visible decrease
OF that intellectual vgor, which ever distinguished him
Ills memory seems TO he good az overland be speak
OF Trade, OF improvements, Of public wealth and of fine
different sections OF the country, with all the Interest, of
man who calmly but zedlousy ying what bis eoun
irymen are doing In speaking Of his eyesghi, he re
marked thait was but short time since he began 10 use
spectacles lie attributed the tong duration of his visual
power TO the TACT that he near.sigbedand was in
erested in hearing his argument to sustain the poson
founded as il intimate knowledge of the science
Of Optics OF course avoided, all persons would in
ma'e friends except any allusion TO the passing politics or
scenes OF tho da-though should have been interested
10 hearing him speak of bis Virginia AS TO his
health ne sad IS good could be expected though
ne sgh'y afflicted with rheumatic pains Old age was
his chie disease He then eulogized the air and climate he
iyed Inland Mrs. Madison remarked, that there were in
lhn vicinity large number Of very old people These
remarks reminded me OF conversation had al breakfast
az tavern 30 the mountains west Of ths enoured Of