The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-24

F~'"'sN'NttNhp inc main bultutuS UItuPytbH
The centre o. helongesline The terraces are used
Tor all The purposes usually answered by outtuild
tncs' ana each extremity Is terminated by small brick
ediices, once serving tor Offices
The main building Is a curiosiiy-a monument OF
ingerlns extravagance. Il Is heterogeneous pile
Of brick and mortar without unity or uniform nifty,
upon which architecture seems TO have exered, II
not exhausted the versatility OF her genius II has,
10 all ntens and purposes four fronts: two Of which
lead to the walks along the tops Of the terrace
another, with a porico, 10 an open lawn once
flower garden, and the other, which is the north
eastern, and probably main front by frs, intention,
introduces you 10 shaded lawn and an interesting
prospect. This northeastern trent Is endowed with
the larger and more finished ponico, the roof of
which sports weather-cock, whose indications are
made known upon dial on the ceiling Of the por-
tico, which may be observed by the inmates without
encountering the air. Directly over the door is the
huge dial Of clock which is fastened on the wall
inside presenting face there also, and announcing
It's tally Of the hours upon a gong which may be
heard, Il Is said two or three miles. This clock
requires winding once week. The door over
which Il rests, introduces you to a spacious ante
room, on the rear side Of which Is a gallery or bal
cony high over the doors. employed once as de-
postory Of curiosities To this gallery, and also
The clock, Mr.. Jefferson was wont 10 ascend by an
Ingenious ladder contrived as to close ITSELF like
the parallel rules Of mathematician, into single
straight piece, thus making Il occupy small space
and convenient for moving. The ponderous weights
Of the clock could not OF course descend perpendcu
larry on account Of the door Mr. Jefferson, there
fore, extended the cords each side to the wall where
he had painted 10 large letters, the several days Of
IL. I:.sa -. u
other would be daily described by the descent of
the weights. When the week had passed, the
weights indicated " Saturday," then the clock was
again wound up,and the weights ran upto Sunday"
and renewed their weekly downward career. In
one corner OF this ante-room stands well executed
bust OF Vollaire, just 1t placed there, be-
lieve, by Mr.. Jefferson The present proprietor has
also supplied several cnrioses.
Doors on the right and left lead to the opposite
wings of the building, and glass door opposite the
front, opens into fine Saloon" Here we behold
again the monuments OF Mr.. Jefferson's mechanical
ingenuity and singular taste. The doors are large
glasses SCI in mahogany frames attached By hinges
to each side, and opening through their centres.
Each halt opens and shuts with the other, by means
Of some concealed spring or attachment which
unites their movements. The saloon, or principal
room where Mr.. Jefferson was accustomed to re-.
ceive his guests, Is an octagonal apartment with
high iceiling and tesselaied floor, which last is
literally Of black walnut squares set In frames OF
white oak, and certainly of rich appearance. Two
glass doors lead Of this drawing room, one into
the southwestern portico and the other into dining
room in the northwestern wing. This dining room
is lighted by an awkward window In the top Of the
house, and there are several contriyances in the
wall to bring up the viands and wine from the
kitchen and cellar. Adjoining is a small round tea
room, lighted by glass DOORS and once decorated
with variety of small statuary This room, as
well as hall adjoining leads TO the terrace looking
towards Charlottesville, The angle Of which Mr..
jefferson was accustomed to sit at twilight, and to
superintend at other times, with his his glass; the
building of the University some two or three miles
distant. The opposite or southeastern wing has Sc
veral apartments, one Of which was occupied as a
bed room, another as library, and sort OF vesti
bue looking to the southeastern terrace used as
a mechanical laboratory. The house appears from
the outside, to be only Of one storyit Is really Of
three There are three flights Of stairs painfully
narrow, steep and dark. Over The drawing room, Is
a corresponding apartment intended for billiards;
this game having been prohibited by law, the room
was devoted to fddling and dancing, Of which Mr..
Jefferson seemed TO be fond. The rooms adjoining
are contracted and ishapen dormitories, in which
the bedsteads supported by hooks in the wall.
These rooms are of this uncomfortable description
In consequence Of having been accommodated to
the various shapes and dips OF the roof, like the
crooked roads in Dutch villages, which, after the
houses are built are accommodated to each proprie
tor We will venture to say that, Mr.. Jefferson had
no distinct conception Of any design, when be COM
menced building but enlarged, added and modified
as his ingenuity contrived until this incomprehensi-
Bile pile reached this of its destiny in which 1t
stands at present, still indeed unfinished.
Mr. Jefferson, apart from his distinguished politi-
cal character, which all the world knows and feels
and half of ii adores, was a remarkable man. He
was tall, of rather a lean and hungry look, with
sharp features, freckled face, and red hair He
was fond of music, and performed very well on the
violin; fond Of statuary, architecture, mechanics,
mathematics, the languages addicted to the study
of political and natural philosophy, and, with all,
courteous gentleman, an afectionate relative, and
benevolent and patriotic citizen.
We have heard it said, that he wore red g rev-
ties" This is not surprising, if it be considered
that his hair was red his face red, and the very
soil on which he lived was also red
MonlceHO IL worm cilIuins, III 'he Hdhe VI H'S
fine prospect it commands On both sides you be-
hold, beneath you farm houses fields Of gree corn
and OF yellow wheat, pretty groves, an undulating.
surface and streaks Of the red and grey SOIL the fat
and lean Of madam earth. The view extends on
south until the plains meet the horizon and on the
north until the lofty peaks and unequal swells of the
Blue Ridge are lost in their "azure hue" Char
lotesville and the University dot the scene on the
west.
The presen, proprietor of Monticello and its 700
acres, is Capt. Levy, of the U. S. Navy, gen.
lleman Of Jewish descent, and man Of competence.
Mr. Jefferson, leaving his estate involved il was
sold to gentleman from whom Capt. Levy pur-
chased It, as is said, for $500! We have heard it
mentioned that Mr. Jefferson expended on Month