New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-12-24
NEW PUBLICAT YONS.
RANpALL's LIFE OF JEFFERSON.

A new biography OF the eminent statesman
whose principles have exerted such wide reschins
hauepse On the political Developments Of this coun
nv, mu.t derive its chief interest from the light il
sheds on the details Of bis personal history, rather
tnan from any expedition Of his pubic policy and
neNsres. No subjects connected with the Gov
eminent Of the United States have received more
ample discussion, or, on the whole are better I'M
dassood, than the systems of which Mr.. Jefferson,
On the ore hand, and Gen. Hamilton on the other,
are regarded a. the opponents. Oi Mr. Jehersons
life, however, in it, moro private and domestic 70
h.ions, we have hitherto had but comparatively
little information. Tackers ponderons biography
il nesser in its illustrations of the man; Rayner's
reserved to the author of this work TO elaborate
abundant store Of materials ioto interesting per-
sesaI history 1t is in this point Of view only that
70 shAl look at his volume in the present article,
reservpg cur criticism on the portions treating of
Je6ersons political career to possible future &C.
ession.
In preparing bis biography Mr.. Randall has
been favored with free access to great variety of
sources which have heretofore remained in abey-
ance, Including copious manuscript documents, CO.
temporary records, personal journals, extensive
correspondence, and the recollectons and memo
rsnds Of numerous circle Of relatives aud acqualn-
taDoes. Its most striking fault ndeed-which is
shat of prolixity-s probably due 20 the enticing
richness Of his materials, rather than to any lack
Of the gift of compression and terse arrangement
IN composition.
Il Islla~ harp
Wa nm old. fashioned farm house, story and half
In hight with four spacious rooms and hall on the
greund floor, and the usual massive stack of chin
neJs planted against each gable end on the outside.
1t wns 10 commanding locality in Albermarle
County Virginia, in the midst Of the noble noun
taips Of The Old Dominion. aud presenting 70 nan
tic and delightful view on every side. The father
Of Jefferson was planter in moderate crcumstsn-
ces; q man Of Heiculean stature aud strength, OF
plain Manners reserved in his disposition, Of few
words, and with an vi bounded self reliance. Ira
dition has preserved the memory Of bis physical
exploits. He could simultaneously "head up"
(rase from their aides to an upright postion) tso
hosshesds Of tobacco, weighing nearly thousand
pounds apiece lie once directed three able bodied
negroes to pull down dilapidsted shed BY means
Of rope, but when they could not succeed IN the
attempt he seized the rope with his own hands
and dragged the building incOntinently to the
ground. Hismind was no less vigorous and active
He lad Che same love of mathematics for which his
son WA afterwsrd distinguished. All his neighbors
relied on his prompt and sssacious judgment; and
though devoted to the rough pursuits Of border hfe
HE taste for literature was great that he passed
his evenings in reading the Enslsh historians
sessyiss and poets. He was ford of Addison,
Swift and Pope, but his prime favOrite was Shakes
pesre, of whose works bis fine and welthumbed
COPY is ret e1tant He died when Thomas was
only IA yesrs old, but he had already impressed
upon his son many of the features of his own char
hcter. He had taught hun to be bold titor
good shot and fearless sportsman. M had MS
intellectual training been neglected, The boy was
kept constantly at school; coed books We're placed
in his hands in the evening and nc was taught
many lessons Of system, punctuality, energy and
perseverance,.
After his fathers 1eceaIe, he sent to AZ excel
lent classical school in the vicinity where be remained
two years and in l76O at the age Of about H. he en-
tered an advanced class at William and Mar College
mwillismsbug. At frat, he was somewhat addicted
10 sowing wild oats and spent much time in com
psny, in plsyir on the violin, and in ridng-an OK
erefe for which he cherished ardent taste
through life. His second year, however, was
wholly occupied with study He devoted no fever
than fifteen hours day to his books, uniting a de-
ci6ed love Of the classics with passion for mathe
ustics. "He maintained mis- fam liartg with this
science, kept up with its advances, and made
praet cal use of it in all the concerns where it ia
applicable through life. In later years, we shall
find him giving the most attention TO the classics.
He was o fine and even a critical Latin and Greek
scholar. The most diffcolt authors in those Ian
eusses were read by him with ease-were habitu'
ably read by him as reereations, snstched from Off
oial and other lsbors, and they became the most
prized solsees of his old age. OF French, as
written language, be had thorough knowledge.
His acquaintance with AnglO-Ssxon, italian aud
Spanish has been assigned 10 his college period;
kut this is a mistake, unless 90 far Is mere rudi.
ments are concerned. He studied the AuslO-Saxon
during bis law studies to enable him to Dip for him
seh into the ancient fountains of the English CON-
mon law. The Italian was taken up Immediately
after The Impressions of hi, family were that he
did not stud, Spanish until he went to France, in
17S4"
HE at.ainments IN bellies lettres appear in all his
earlier writings There Was no grant department.
and scarcely branch Of liberal Gaming then taught
n which he was not comparatively we'll versed;
and he seems to have relisbed them all with two
.~.a,t;ons-ath,c. and rnstso hvsiss He greatly