, 1857-06-19
Vr, Jefferson as described by Nh. Webster.

NJ, JtnoIsOh 10 uVsVilUtu v! MI' NCDNltT'
In 1924 Mr.. Webster visited Thoma,
Jefferson at his home in Virginia. At that
time Mr.. Webster kept a diary, from
which the following is extracted:
DECEMBER, 1924.
Mr.. Jefferson is now between eightv-ont
and eighty-two, above six feet high, Of al
ample long frame, rather thin and spare
His head, which is not peculiar in its shape
IS set rather forward on its shoulders, ant
his neck being long, there is, when he i,
walking or conversing an habitual protru
sion of it, 1t is still well covered witt
hair, which, having been once red, and now
turning gray, is of an indistinct sandy CO.
lor.
His eyes are small, very light and now
neither brilliant nor striking. His chin is
rather long, but not pointed. His NOSE
small, regular in its outline, and the nos
trils a little elevated. His mouth is well
formed, and still filed with teeth; it is
strongly compressed, bearing an expression
of cOntentment and benevolence. Hi,
complexion formerly light and freckIed
now bears the marks OF age and cutaneou,
affection His limbs are uncommonly long:
his hands. and feet very large, and his
wrists of an extraordinary size. His walk
is not precise and military, but easy and
swinging. He stoops a little not so much
from age as from natural formation. When
sitting he appears short, partly from ra-
tber lounging habit of sitting and partly
from the disproportionate length of his
limbs
His dress, when in the house, is a gray
surtout coat, kerseymere stuff waistcoat,
with an under one faced with some mate
rial of dingy red. His pantaIoons are
very long and loose, and Of the same co.
lors as his coat. His stockings are wooden,
either white or gray; and his shoes of the
kind that bear his name. His whole dress
is very much neglected, but not sloyenly.
He wears common round hat. His dress
when on horseback, is gray straight.bod-
led coat and spencer of the same material.
both fastened with large pearl buttons.
When we first saw him lie was riding; and
in addition to the above article of apparel
wore around his throat knit white woolen
tippet in the place of cravat, and black
velvet CATERS under his pautaloons. His
general appearance indicates an extraor,
dinary 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 a number of voices
in animated conversation 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, aud ex-
amines his thermometer Immediately, as
be keeps regular meteorological diary
He employs himself chiefly in writing till
breakfast, which is at nine. From that
time till dinner he is in his library, except
ing that in fair weather he rides on horse
back from seven to fourteen miles. Dimes
at four, returns to the drawing-room at six,
when coffee is brought in, and passes the
evening till nine in conversation. His
habit of retiring at nine is so strong that
it has become essential to health and com
fort His diet is simple, but he seems res.
trained 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 aecompani-
ment Of cold meat. He enjoys his dinner
well, taking with his meat large proper
ton of vegetables. He has q strong pref
erence for wines Of the continent, Of which
be has many sorts of excellent quality,
having been more than commonly success
fol in bis mode of importing and preserv-
ing them. Among others we found the
following, which are very rare in this coun-
try, and apparently not injured by trans
portation: L'Ednau, Muscat, Samiam, and
Blanehette de Limoux. Dinner is served
in half Virginia, half French style, in good
taste and abundance. No wine is put on
the table till the cloth is removed
In conversation with Mr.. Jefferson be is
easy and natural, and apparently not am.
bilious; it is not loud, as challenging gen.
eral attention, but usually addressed to the
person next to him. The topics, when not
selected, to suit the character and feelings
Of his auditor, and those subjects with
which his mind seems particularly occu-
pied; 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 bis ex-
eruonS, and will rise, it is to be hoped, to
usefulness and credit under bis continued
care. When we were with him his favor
Te subjects were Greek and Anglo-Saxon
historical recollections of the times and
events Of the revolution and, of his resi-
usnce in France, from 1884 to 1889.