Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-05-10
FOR TIE yRGINGAN.
Monticello The Residence Ct Thos. Jefferson.


Towards the South of Charlottesville. Albo-
marie county, Va, about "A mile aud half from
the village. rises "a moderately high mountain, Il
spur Of the Blue Ridge mountains, and the last
of chain which seems to hem IN beautiful
and long valley between Itself and the principal
Blue Ridge mountnin on the West and North, aud
on the other side cuts off MI Eastern and South
ern Virginia. II is not "a rugged mountain, hut
gentle aud smooth. and comes 10 gradual cone.
The little river. livomn, in meandcring and
coquettish manner runs up 10 it, laycs its feet
and then turning gently glides away The sides
are covered with forest rces-but ON the top Of
H. there Is "A cleared space Of about two acres of
land, of oval shape, ur.ifically leycllcd Off
In the centre of this oval stands magnificent
mansion, seeming to cmhody ancient and mod
ern styles aud beauties of arehiteeturc-n man
sion at once answering all the purposes OF prnc-
teal convenience, aud at the same time, all the
ends of "A refined taste. 1t is surroun led by for
est and ornamental trees, and once had gardens,
shrubbery, and flowers. But now the trees are
untrimmed the shrubbery grows wild, and near
" all the flowers have died from neglect. Tho
walls of the neglected mansion are crumbling,
aud the ivy that loves decay climbs mp the wall.
The mansion was once occupied by II patriot,
philosopher, and Il good mantle author of the
Declaration of the independence of tho United
Colonies, and patron of science and art
| have visited Monticello twice my last visit
occurring ON the oath March, 1881. The man
sion, more particularly described, occupies II
square in gross; but is octo angular. SO to give
its appearance curved outline-is two stories
in height, built of brick, has medium flat roof
with white railing on the sides of it, aud large
dome projecting from the Southwestern centre
Below the roof ON the Sides is beautiful white
ornamental work, carved in wood and painted, SO
as to give n proper contrast to the dark brick
The front section of the building faces the North
east. The main entrance in the centre is cover
ed by porch, supported by four stone columns,
the floor of which is inlad with varied colored
stone slabs, and is gained by ascent of six
stone steps. In the centre of the ceiling of the
porch is set "A large compass, of at least foot
in diameter and Immediately above the door a
large, old-fashioned clock indicating the time
outside and inside, and also the days of the week
and month. On the Northwest is covered col
onade, and, on the Southeast grecn-room, the
sides enclosed with glass windows and sliding
lattice work West is another portico like the
former, only that the roof is supported by six
columns. which also aid in supporting the dome
of the ballroom From the two sides of the
house run out sub-terranean passages covered
| by fiat roof nearly level with the surface. The
Southeastern passage conducts TO the kitchen,
mill room and other domestic apartments and
the Northwestern TO the icehouse, cisterns, car
| riage-house, porter's lodge, &c These apart
inehls run at Ilght angles 10 tne pasSaSesi ana
| both end with tower. All the buildings form
three sides of a square leaving probably an acre
of space Southwest of the mansion, and between
the two towers. That space was once occupied
for horticultural purposes and was, no doubt, at
one time, Flora's most choice abode. The whole
elevated oval is partly enclosed by a wall and
ornamental fence. Outside of the wall runs the
| road Beyond the road are terraced vegetable
| gardens, and in a continuation of the cireumfer-
| L. ord Of G,a frtit-t NJ, Iof
ferson was a man of liberality aud good taste,
and every improvement bctokens lavish expense.
This was the residence of his family. his home,
''sweet home"-the asylum of rest from his po-
ltical labors and. as the hart pantcth after the
water-brook, painted the heart of the patriot
| after Monticello
| The mansion contains upwards of thirty rooms.
| The North Eastern entrance conducts to the
| general reception roomor hall. The floor of this
| apartment is inlaid with squares Of walnut and
| cherry wood. The walls ornamented with
| carvings, and were evidently once covered with