Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-06-17
VISIT TO Mr.. MADISON.
From the Correspondent Of the Portland Advertiser
0sANeE CouRr HorsE. (YA)1
Nam OIL 1894 (.


| May 81. 1883.
I left Charlottesville = little before midnight
in the mail stage, and found myself here BY day.
light this morning, distance thirty miles. As
Mr.. Madison's plantation is only Ave miles dis.
tant FROM this, resolved to stop, and to visit
almost the last Of the Romans. took horse,
raining though it was, and after going over vir.
ginia road. about three miles, which you proba.
bly, know is one OF the worst in the world; for
here il is unconstitutional" to have good roads;
| came to ye'path, sort Of q carriage road
that led into the woods, when kept on riding
and riding for nearly two miles, or one mile and
halt, passing one gate that led TO a plantation,
till came to another where met an old negro.
who told me the way. anil added that his - old
master would be glad to see the Young gem
man," that Mr.. Madison raised him." and
that he 1.-THE negro) was now " slxty.one years
Of age" aud - Mr.. Madison was good mas
ter" aud "would not let his overseer make
fight with the men," thus running with COM
munica,ive loquacity, seeing he had found
white man to listen to his talk. rude on then
through well gaie--on the roadway
leading through all immense field Of rye-by yet
another gate-and came at last to large and
elegant brick house, built in the Virginan fash.
ion, with wings, projecting Portco, walk in
front. &c. sc.
VIVA, on earth could send man here, said
to myself-here, SO far from the rosd, 50 far from
neighbors, 50 far from the village, the Post OF.
6ce-in this hide and go seek place in the woods,
where i, is difficult to find dwelling, no matter
how conspicuous IL may he. But such is the
Virginiau fashion. The Virsinians get off from
the road with the same zeal that we crowd on
aud here you may travel where there are no signs
Of life, but where, il you were to sound trum.
pet to call men Together, they would jump up as
from the earth Truly this is retirement, this
habita,on 10 such field-in such va!iey-wih
the morning music Of the ~hippoorwili and the
evening song Of the nightingale -undisturbed
but by the little hustle in the neighboring ncgro
camps, or the solitary traveller who. perchance,
mage that is due to character, to patriotism, to
an upright and well done political career
As fastened INV horse, and drew near 70 the
door of the yard. with we'll fitted and we'll
painted fence, was musing much IN the chan.
ges that come over a man in the course OF long
life. How Tan we sccustum ourselves To such q
solitude after all the hustle Of an active life To
which we have been infatuated? How can we
withdraw and fnrget men and things, and live
and feed on the thoughts within US, and with the
few and unvaryins companions that our own
home affords. Cicero, in the adDiral treatise Of
his-De Senecftte. puts into the muuth Of Scip-
io,-l think 1t is he, but my menury Of the read
ings of other days is even nov growing rusty
the true lesson Tor enjoying happy old age. or
change Of life, or meek Submission to circum-
stances. twas not long before saw living
exempliicarion and practIser of all these lessons
with yet another and for the enjoyment of
happy old age than Cicero has spoken Of.
Trapped at the door. A servant, courteous,
we'll bred, and well. dressed, came TO my call -
| sent in NV card, for not expecting to return
home this way, had refused letters Offered the
by friends in Washington to Mr.. Madison-and
[ was invited into the parlor, in the centre
bulding, tall Of the portraits Vi e~Hinrni in.
dividuas among which were those of Washing
ton aud Jefferson anil Lafayette, think but am
not cer,an--and of paintings also, representing
different scenes and passions. but chiefly OF a re-
lisious character. The furniture was ct that rich
old cast, which, while it keeps up the idea at
masnlticence, carries US hack TO other days. and
reminds US, that we are in the houses of our an
cestors. or our fathers. Mrs Madison soon APP I
peared. and after hltle conversation. carried
me into her husbands ronm, and presented me
to Mr.. Madison. He was lying on his bed. in
thick silk obe-reading,-wi,h the book near at
MS s'ues anu MS speCaCcs put u" " Pese'Ne
the place. His reception was generous aud
courteous. His conversation fluent, agreeable, |
vigorous, aud frank-and displayed even on con-.
mun topics, instruction and interest. |
There is no decay Of mrd-not he least vii !
BILE decrease Of that intellectual visor, which !
ever distinguished him. His memory seems to
be as soud as ever-and he speaks of trade, Of
improvements. of public health. and of the DIT
ercut sections of the country. with all the inter.
est Of a mao who is calmly but zealeusly survey ,
ing what bis countrymen are doing, In speaking
of his eyesight. he remarked that 1t VAS but
short time since he began 10 use spectacles lie
attributed the long duration Of his visual power
To the fact that he was sishted-and was
in hearing his argument to sustain the
pusition, founded as it was on an intimate know ,
ledge of the science Of Optics. OF oou'se |
avoided. a. all persons would, intimate friends /
except, any ailu>ion to the passing politics or
scenes of the day,-though | should have been
in hearing him speak of his Virginia