The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-11-22
THE DAILY DISPATCH
Saturday Merning, November ~, 1886.
Thomas Jefferson, aa Described by Da
Webster.

Thomas Je4erson, an Described by Daniel
Webster.
In 1894, Mr.. Webster visited Thomas Jeffersop.
at his home In Virginia At that time Mr. w kent
diary, from which the following is extracted
DECEMBER, 1924
Mr.. Jefferson Is now between eiphtv.one and
efghtytw above six feet high, OF an ample, long
frame, rather thin and spare. His head, which is
not peculiar in Its shape is set rather forv ON
MS snouiders; and his neck being long there Il
wnen ne 10 walking or converting an habitual pro
trusion OF 1t. It is still we'll covered with hair.
~nico, having been once red, and now turning
gray, Is Of an indistinct sandy color
His eyes are small very light, and now neither
orhiant nor striking. His chin Is rather long but
not pointed dis nose small regular in It's outline
ana the nostrils q little elevated His mouth Is
wen formed and still filed with teeth; 1t is strong
~ compressed, bearing an expression of content.
ment and benevolence. His complexion, formerly
light and freckled, bears the marks of age and
cutaneous affection His limbs are uncommonlv
long; bis hands and feet very large and his wrists
OF an extraordinary size. His walk is not precise
and military, but easy and swing ging He stoops
little, not so much from age as from natural forma
ton. When sitting he appears short partly from
rather iounging habit of sitting, and partly from
the disproportionate length of his limbs.
His dress when in the house, is a grew surtout
coat, kerseym ere stuff waistcoat, with an under
one faced with same material of dngy red. His
pantaioons are very long and loose, and of the
same color as his coat. His stockings are woollen
either white or gray; and the shoes of the kind
That bear bis name. His whole dress is very much
neglected, but not slovenly. He wears 4 com.
mon round hat. His Dress when on horseback
Is gray straightbodied coat and q spencer of
the same material; both fastened with large pearl
button, When we first saw him he was riding
and, in addition to the above articles of apparel
wore round bis throat knit white woollen tippet
In the place of cravat, and black velvet CATERS
under his pantaloons His general appearance
of hooJt vi;
vaeity and spirit His sight is still good, for he
needs glasses only in the evening. His hearing
is generally good, but number OF voices in ami
mated conversation confuse it.
Mr.. Jefferson rises in the morning as soon as he
can see the hands of bis clock, which is directly
opposite his bed and examines his thermometer
Immediately, as he keeps q regular meteorolo.
gical diary. He employs himself chiefly in writing
till breakfast, which is at nine. From that time
till dinner he is in his library, excepting that in
fair weather he rides on horseback from seven to
fourteen miles. Dimes at four returns to the draw
ing room at six, when coffee is brought in, and
passes the evening till zine in conversation. His
habit of retiring that hour is SO strong that it
has become essential to his health and comfort
His diet is simple but he restrained only by
his taste. His breakfast is tea and coffee, bread
always fresh from the oven, of which he does not
seem afraid, with sometimes a slight accompani
ment of cold meat. He enjoys his dinner well,
taking with his meat a large proportion of vege
tables. He has strong preference for the wines
OF tu6 comment OF WQlcn ne mas many SORTS OF
excellent quality, having been more than com
monty successful in his mode of importing and
preserving them Among others we found the
following, which are very rare in this country,
and apparently not at all injured by transportation:
Ednau, Muscat, Saman, and Banchette de Lii.
moux. Dinner is served in half Virgnal and
half French style, in good taste and abundance -
No wine is put on the table until the cloth is re
moved.
In conversation Mr. Jefferson is easy and patu-
ral and apparently not ambitious; it is not loud,
challenging general attention, but usually address
ed to the person next to him. The topics, when not
selected to Suit the character and feelings of his
auditor, are these subjects with which his mind
seems particularly occupied; and these at present
may be said to be science and letters, and especi
ally the University of Virginia which is coming in
to existence almost entirely from his exertions,
and will rise, it is to be hoped to usefulness and
credit under his contiaued care. When we were
with him his favorite subjects were Greek and An.
glo-Saxon historical recollections of the times and
events of the revolution. and of his residence in
France from 1884 to 1889.
----
How MURAT DIED.-The sentence of the mil
tary commission was read to him with due solem-
nifty. He listened to it, as he would have listen
ed to the cannon of another battle during his mill,
tary life, without emotion brayado. He neith-
er asked for pardon, for delay, nor for appeal
He had advanced of his own accord tou ard the
door, as if to accelerate the catastrophe. The
door opened on narrow esplanade lying between
Twelve soldiers, with loaded muskets, awaited
him there. The narrow space did not permit him
to stand at a sufficient distance to deprive his
death of part of its horror. Murat, in stepping
over the threshold of the chamber, found himself
| face to face with them. He refused to have his
eyes bandaged and, looking at the soldiers with
| firm and benevolent smile, said: "My friends, do
not make me suffer by.taking bad aim. The mar.
row space compels you almost to rest the muzzles
of your muske.s ON my breast; do not tremble, do
not strike me In the face; aim at my heart-here it
| is"
AS he spoke thus he placed bis right hand upon
his coat TO indicate the position of his heart In
his left hand he held small medallion which con-
tanned in one focus of love the image of his wife
| and four children, as if he wished thus to make
them witnesses of his last look He fixed his eyes
on this potrait and received the death blow In the
contemplation of all he loved earth. His body,
| pierced at so short distance with twelve balls
fell, with his arms open and his face toward the
esrtL; as if still embracing the kingdom he once
possessed, and which he cone to reconquer for
| his tomb.
They threw his cloak upon his body, which was
| buried In the Cathedral of Pizzi Thus died the
most chivalrous soldier of the imperial epoch not
the greatest but the most heroic figure among the
champions of the new Alexander.
DANGEROUS CoUNTERFEIT.--T Petersburg
Express of yesterday, thus notices a dangerous
| counterfeit now in circulation:
We were shown yesterday, SlOO note on the
Farmers Bank of Virginia, which upon presenta
ton proved to be counterfeit. The note is badly
| executed, being upon course paper, the vignette
| and all ornament appearing not as well developed
| as upon the genuine. The name of }. A: Smith,
Cashier, bears a very poor, or no resemblance to
the bona fde signature, and If compared viii be
readily detected. VIM. H. Netherlands signature
is not so badly counterfeted, but nevertheless can
| be detected on examination by comparison. The
number of the note before us is 1881, dated March
oath, 1855 Bills Of lower denominations on this
| bank are also In circulation.
| ATTEMPT TO BREAK JAIL FRUsTRATED.-On
Saturday last the sister of the Sherif OF BUCKS
| county, Pa, while examining the prisoners beds,
| In company with female convict, at the Doyles'
town iail, discovered two iron instruments, evil
IDENTIFY intended for defence and reported the same
| to the sheriff who, on Sunday morning, maze .
| thorough examination, and found that several OF
the most desperate convcts had taken out the rvets
of their leg irons and threatened to kill any person
| who would attempt to replace them. With the aid
| Of = revolver he forced them all into dungeon,
and having sent for black smith, be soon succeed
ed in replacing the irons In substantial manner.
| A heavy wooden bludgeon, mounted with iron'
and an iron bolt sharp At one end, were fouad Sc
| creted about the mutineers.
NEwroUNDLAND.-The total loss from the late