The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-09-01
RIC b N 0ND, VA:
FRIDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER / 1854
Correspondence of the Dispatch.
NOTES OF TRIP TO THE SPRINGS.

NOTES OF A TRIP TO THE SPRINGS.
cosTINURD
Journey reasssed -Road fran Gooch1aad to Char
sosfesrstle-Ihe Torn Of Charlottesville Monsi-
eeao- University Of Virginia.
- once more upon the road, with our backs TO
nHaguenot, u and with many regrets at parting with
aino friends and good cheer, we again crossed the
Iefry and threaded our way through the
coai pts which lay between the river and the high
way tnence, tor several miles parallel to the ca
nat and occasionally touching it, until turning ab
Iuptiy 70 tne right, our way soon lost its pctur-
esque scenery and interesting associations
"A more solitary road than the one leading from
ueoch,ana Court House to Charlottesville can
scarcely be ound In any old settled portion of the
country Mile after mile, without meeting hu-
man oeing houses there were whose gloomy exte.
rior betokened the solitude of the Journey Their
inmates, when visible were shy and like the abori-
eines, when first discovered by Columbus locked
IN astonishment at passing strangers Towards the
close OF the days Journey, whfet urging cur tired
nags through the endless forest, the universal si.
lence was broken by the shrill whistle of steam
engine, whose whereabouts we were not a little
puzziea 10 know Arrived at our stopping place for
the night the landlord informed us that it was the
engine at the gold mines of Commodore Stockton
at least three miles from our road Within a few
miles OF Charlottesville the features of the country
gradually change, and as the road occasionally ira.
verses lofty ridges, the traveller will pause to be-
hold the picturesque landscapes which now begin
to arrest his attention In every direction Should
The atmosphere be clear he will readily discover
the bold outlines of the glorious mountains whose
azure color suggested the name they bear Nor
will it require any great stretch of the immagina-
on to believe that the climate ia different from what
he has lately seen. Approaching the Riyanna,
along whose margin the railroad from Richmond
winds its tortuous path, the country becomes di-
versied with hills and valleys ali of which exhibit
the highest evidences of cultivation and improve
ment. Here too Is water power ample enough for
all the machinery requisite TO employ manufac-
hut
apdated cotton factory, there was no indication of
its having been applied tc any useful purpose
With such an Introduction to the town OF Charlottes
vile, we were prepared to find something more
than struggling village. A more ragged and ill.,
arranged junble OF brick stores and shops and
wooden stables is not to be found within the Com
nlonwealth. This was indeed a surprise and dis
appointment; for We had been accustomed in early
years 70 hear so much of the University buildings
of Monticello, and the suburban residences If die
tinsushed personages, that expected at least to
find some specimens of architectural taste, well ar
ranged gardens, and cultivated shrubbery. But
alas the Athens oil Virginia boast but little in
this way There are no churches public build.
ings worthy OF q moments notice, and whatever
degree OF comfort and elegance private houses may
contain within their walls external appearances are
rather unavorable. In wet weather the mud in the
streets must be fathoms deep, for in dry weather
the dust is sutfocating. Why such a magnificent
country should contain such neglected village
was difficult to understand. There are farms and
piduIdttOns aGJOlnln3 CnariOEeSylie, which not
ly exhibit all the means and appliances that may
minister TO health and comfort but display every
embellishments of tasteful art Surely, il there is
any one portion of the State more beautifully en-.
dowed than another it is the good county of Albe-
mare-wi'h soil hardly surpassed by that of the
Valley, and climate superior in every respect it
should be the abode of elegance as well as health
and plenty.
As every citizen of the Old Dominion, proud of
her political detincion, feels impelled pay hom.
age to her most iilustrious son. SO every traveller
through this region Of the country turns aside from
HIS journey In order TO visit the shrine OF the sreat
apostle of liberty" With this view our party de.
voted day to an excursion to Monticello.
Following ordinary country road which
wound its way along the western slope of the
mountain, we soon reached the gate which opened
upon the premises of the Monticello estate-trom
this tortuous and rugged psthway (road it can
hardly be called) leads through dense growth of
young forest trees, and before reaching the man
slon passes within few feet of the burial place OF
Jefferson. There are many old grave yards scat.
tered over the old settled portions of Virginia far
more interesting in appearance than the one which
contains the mortal remains of this ilustrious man.
Indeed, the brick wall which constituted the enco.
sure, would suit just as well around country JAIL
and In many respects bore striking resemblance
to that sort OF object for the gateway Immediately
opposle the road was an iron grating contriyed to
permit the privilege OF seeing into the enclosure
without entering it, Along the eastern wall was
another opening of smaller dimensions once secur.
ed by gate, which had been forced from its fast
enings and thrown a few steps aside negro lad
who was passing informed US that the place had
been visited very lately by great many strange
gentlemen, TO whom he imputed the injury 10 the
gate. He farther stated that until the lock was
broken SO great was the curiosity OF strangers to
enter the enclosure, they resoted to wooden rails
in order to climb the iron grating of this we had
occular proof, for there were several jutting be.
tween the apertures above and below. The intru.
ders upon this sacred spot were not content with
trampiing over the ballowed dust of the silent dead,
their object seems to have been depreciation and
sacriieae The mar bic slabs were fractured and
large pieces otthe granite obeisk which makes the
grave of Jefferson were actually knocked from the
block and carried away. For this reason the tab
let which contained the inscription upon the obe
iisk has been rescued from similar fate and the
pedestal alone indicates that some one, buried be-
meath, was " Born April I'd, 1sI3 O. S-Ded July
4th, 1876. There Is nothing to show whose tomb
tits, and lew years OF similar treatment will OBJ
literate all traces Of the exact spot
Resumng the road which still continued its wind
ing course towards the summit Of the mountain we
soon emerged from the turest, and entering all old
fashioned gateway, found ourselves upon The lawn
IN trout oi The mansion. Any one cuiious 10 know
lis exact appearance upon peper, may Oe readily
gratlhed by the examination of the engraving upon
the notes Issued by the new bank at Charlottesville;
but the most sombge nts of the daguerreofy pc can
not mpart to the picture the gloomy aspect OF the
reality the moss covered walls aud the broken
tiles: the fractured sashes and the faded shutters
the deep, deep solitude that pcrvade the whole
Scanning the outlines of this halowed spot, one
cannot iail to moralize upon the evanascence OF
earthly honors. Here where once the master spirit
OF our land was wont to receive the homage of
sages and patriots OF every CLINE, where indeed the
eagle had built his eyrie and dedicated the decline
OF his days to lis improvement aud embellishments;
The very work of his own hands; the temple which
ne built aud which, whilst living, was the Mecca OF
America, now rests in silence and neglect
Independent of these associations, the view from
Monticello cannot fail to impress the most callous
observer. To the East ana South, the dinly de-
tined horizon resembles the Lndulating oufline OF
the heaving sea To the West and NORTH far as the
eye reach successive hills and valleys car.
peted by the ever varying verdGre Of those fertile
lands. Where upon the broad expanse OF earth
can such landscape be foundi But magnificent
as is the picture, arr had added to the effect Not
far beyond the base OF the mountain, the Railroad.
which is now destined to pierce the very bowels OF
the mountains makes bold sweep TO the West,
and whilst watching train dashing iuriously along
we could not help thinking how such sight would
have eladdened the heart Of the illustrious JeieT
son 1t would have realized one of the dreams OF
his ardent mind.
But the shades OF evening we're gathering round
US" and turning towards the house, we wsre
brought up all standing" as Captain Levy would
say, by the following tablet eoEspieuousy posted
against one OF the pillars OF the front porch