Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-09-11
M Q n T / G f LILO.
THE RESIDENCE OF THOS. JEFFERSON
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, !
August 10th, 1856. I

August 10th, 1856.
Editors Northern Indianian:
| hired a carriage in Charlottesville the
other day, to visit Monticello pronounced
-U0ntichelo, and meaning little mountain
the residence of Thomas Jefferson This
celebrated country seat, perched on the
very top of mountain, is about three
miles east of Charlottesville, Va. a wind,
ing road leads through the woods to It's
summit. Willie slowly ascending the open
ing in the dense underground occasionally
revealed wide spread mountain prospects.
and long drawn pictures down the fertile
valleys. The road is good, and the grade
easy until we attain the private entrance TO
the Monticello farm. After passing a rough
gate the ascent is steep and stony, and the
woods thick and tangled. Scotch broom
grows wild over many acres, probably
scattered from seed planted originally by
the illustrious protector of this mountain
farm. After passing the grave yard, which
| deferred visiting until my return, [ pass
ed over very steep ascent, and found my
self on the top of the mountain. The soil
here is strong, and the fields Of corn gave
promise of abundant harvest. Monticello
is at present owned by Capt. Levy, L. S.
n, who seldom resides here. lie affords
no facilities for gratifying the curiosity or
patriotism of visitors, and considers it nee
essary to put up notice by the gate inform
ing passers by that 1t is private property,
and no intrusions are allowed. He is held
i'll about the same reverence by the people
Of Albemarle bounty, as the present propri-
etor of Mt Vernon.
pom the very apex of the mountain in a
grove of noble old trees, where lived and
died the father of the Declaration of indie
pendence. The house has two fronts, with
lofty porticos and stone columns. 1t is ir-
regularly built, having on the western side
projecting wing which contains the par
lor On either side are ranges of ornament
al one story buildings, used as houses for
his servants, stables, dairy, dc. These,
as we'll as the main building are falling rap
idly into decay. In a few years, this old
mansion, where in times gone by We're
sheltered and entertained the first men Of
the nation, will tumble into ruins.
Upon ringing the bell a little negro APP
peared, and conveyed our polite request to
Miss Levy. We were allowed to visit the
principal apartments. The entrance ush
ers the visitor into a lofty and spacious
square ball about twenty-five or thirty feet
square. a curious old clock hangs over
the door, and huge old fashioned mirrors
are fixed permanently in the wall The
architectural finish is simple and effective
The floor, of wood from the neghborhood,
was waxed formerly in old fashioned style
An octagonal room connected with the hall
by glass doors, and is more elaborately or
namented. The floor, also made of wood
taken from the farm, is curiously wrought
into octagon mosaic Of different colors, |
beautifully joined and waxed. This opens
by glass doors upon the south portico, and
affordsa view along the valley. The par
lor is separated by heavy articles, and is
large apartment. Scarcely any ofthe orig
inal furniture remains Niches once adj |
orned by statuary, occupy intervals along
the walls; but they are all empty now
The rich decorations of sixty years ago are
still preserved. A brooding feeling of sad
ness and desolation haunts the whole prem
ises. The house bears evidence of havino
been the abode ofa great man. The severe
and yet expansive spaciousness
of its design show it to have been planned
by an extraordinary man. 1t has been strip
ed of its ornaments. Its cabinet of pictures
and valuablcs, its collection Of aboriginal
and marine contributions to natural history
are all scattered to the winds. From the
lawn in front, a magnificent prospect is al
forded. For an hundred and fifty miles.
the bold chain of the Blue Ridge bouds
one horizon mountain after mountain rises
like huge waves until they melt in the soft
haze of the southern Alleghenies 1t is
one the most charming views have ev