Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-12-04

JEFFERSON, at MS nome I'D virginia. At that
time Mr.. w. kept diary, from which the
is extracted:
DECEMBER, 1924.
Mr.. Jefferson is now between eighty-one
and eighty-two, 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 forward on his shoulders; and
his neck, being long, there is, when he is
walking or conversing, an habitual protru-
sion of it. 1t is still well covered with hair,
which, having been once red, and now tur-
ming gray, is Of an indistinct sandy color.
His eyes are small, very light, and now
neither brilliant nor striking. His-ehin is
rather long, but not pointed. His nose
small, regular,in its outline, and the nostrils
q little elevated. His mouth is well formed,
ard still filled with teeth; tits strong ly COM
pressed, bearing an expression of content
msnt and benevolence. His complexion,
formerly light and freckled, now bears the
marks of age, and cutaneous affection. His
limbs are uncommonly long; his hands and
feet very large, and his wrists of an extra
ordinary size. His walk is not precise and
military, but easy and swinging. Ho stoops
a little, not so much from age as from patu-
raj formation. When sitting, he appears
short, partly from rather louuging habit;
of sitting, and partly from the disproportion-
ate length of his limbs. ....
His dress, when in the house, is grey
surtout coat, kerseymere stuff waistcoat, with
an under one faced with the same material
of dingy red His spantaloons are very long
and loose, and of the same color as his coat.
His stockings are wooden, either white or
grey; and the shoes Of the kind that bear
his name. His whole dress is very much
neglected, but not slovenly. He wears a
common round hat. His dress, when on
back, is gray straight-bodied coat
and spencer of the same material, both
fastened with large pearl buttons. When
we first saw him he was riding, and, in ad-
dition to the above articles Of apparel, wore
round his throat knit white woollcn tippet
in the place of a cravat, and black velvet
CATERS under his pantaloons. His general
appearance indicates an extraordinary degree
of health, vivacity and spirit His sight is
still good, for he needs glasses only in the
evening. His hearing is generally good,
but humber of voices in animated CONVEX
sation confuse it. .
Mr.. Jefferson rises in the morning as soon
as he can see the hands of his clock, which
is directly opposite his bed, and examines
his thermometer Immediately, as he keeps a
regular meteorological diary. He employs
himself chiefly in writing till breakfast,
which is at nine. From that time till din
ner he is in his library, excepting that in
fair weather he rides on horseback from
seven to fourteen miles. Dimes at four, re-
turns to the drawing-room at six, when cof-
fee is brought in, and passes the evening till
nine in conversation. His habit of retiring
at that hour is SO strong that it has become
essential to his health and comfort. His
diet is simple, but he seems 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 accompaniment of cold meat. He en-
joys his dinner well, taking with his meat a
large proportion of vegetables. He has a
strong preference for the wines of the Con.
tinent, of which he has many sorts of excel
lent 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 a. all injur.
ed by transportation L'Ednau, Muscat,
Samian, and Blancbette de Limoux. Din.
ner is served half in Virginia and halt
French style, in good taste and abundance
No wine is put on the table until the cloth is
removed.
In conversation Mr.. Jefferson is easy and
natural, and apparently not ambitious; it is
not loud, challenging general attention, but
usually addressed to the person next to him
The topics, when not selected to suit the
character and feelings of his auditor, are
those subjects with which his mind seems
particularly occupied; and these at present
may be said to be science and letters, and
especially, the University of Virginia, which
is coming into existence almost entirely from
his exertions, and will rise, it is to be hoped.
to usefulness and credit under his continued
care. When we were with him his favorite
subjects were Greek and Anglo-Saxon, his
torical recollections of the times and events
of the revolution, and of his residence in
France from 1884 to 1889. -
JOHN HANcocK.-One who saw John
Hancock in June, 1852, relates that he had
the appearance of advanced age. He had
been repeatedly and severely afflicted with
the gout, probably owing in part to the Gus
tom of drinking punch-a common practice
in high circles in those days. As recollec
ted at this time, Hancock was nearly six feet
in height and of thin person, STOPPING lit
tie, and appearantly enfeebled by disease
His manners were very gracious, Of the old
style, digni6ed complaisance. His face
had been very handsome. Dress was adap
ted quite as much to the ornamental as use
full. Gentlemen wore wigs when abroad
and commonly caps when at home. At thi.
time, about noon, Hancock was dressed in 6
red velvet cap, within which was one Of fine
linen. The latter was turned up over the