Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-08-04

peerless
Throughout earth's azure vault unfured,
Till every hand and heart entwne, .
To sweep oppression from the world.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
The following interesting extracts are from Ran
daIl's Life Of Jefferson:
Mr.. jefferson was not an improvident man: He
had habits of order and economy, was regular in
keeping accounts, knew the value of money, and was
in no way disposed to waste it. He was simple IN
his tastes careful and spent very little on himself
IT'S not true that he threw away his money in fan.
tastic projects and theoretical experiments. He was
eminently practical man. he was, during all the
years that knew him, very liberal, bu: never ex.
travagant.
To return to his visitors: they came of all nations,
at all times, and paid longer or shorter visits. l
have known New. England Judge bring letter OF
introduction to my grandfather and stay three weeks
The learned Able Cores, always welcome gues1,
passed some weeks of each year with US during the
whole time of bis stay in this country. We had
persons from abroad, from all the States OF the
Union, from every part of the State, men. women
and children. In short, almost every day, Tor at
least eight months of the year, brought its conting
ent of guests. People of wealth, fashion, men in
Office professional men, military and CIVIL lawyers,
doctors, Protestant eergymen, Catholic pr'es.s'
members Of Congress, foreign ministers, missionaries,
Indian agents. tourists travellers, artists, strangers,
friends. Some came from affection and respect some
from curiosity to give receive advice or in
struction some from idleness, some because others
set the example, and very varied amusing and sgree-
able was the society afforded by this influx Of guests
/ have listened to very remarkable conversations
carried on round the table, the freside, or in the
Summer drawing room.
There were few eminent men of our country, ex-
cept perhaps some political adversaries, who did not
visit him in his retirement, to say nothing Of dis
tpguished foreigners. Life at Monticello was on an
easy and informal footing. Mr.. Jefferson always
made his appearance at an early breakfast, but his
mornings were most commonly devoted to his own
occupations and it at dinner, after dinner, and
in the evening that be gave himself up the society
Of his family and his guests Visitors left free
to employ themselves IS they liked during the morn
ing hours to walk, read or seek companionshp with
the ladies of the family, and each other. NJ Correa
passed bis time in the fields and the woods; some
gentlemen preferred the library; others the drawing
room; others the quiet Of their own chambers; or
they strolled down the mountain side and under the
shade of the trees The ladies, in like manner con-
suited their ease and inclinatons, and whiled away
the time as best they might.
On the topic of visitors, the following paragraphs
are in point:
We have already introduced to the reader old
Wormley q gray haired servant Of Mr.. Jefferson
We once stood with him before the dilapidated pile
Of Monticello. The carragehouses three in mum.
Der, we're at the moment under our eye. Each would
hold 4 four horse coach. We inquired, Wormley.
how often we're these filled in Mr.. Jefersons time 2"
every night, sir, in Summer, and We commonly
had two or three carriages under that tree" SAID he
pointing to large tree. ut took all hands to take
care of your visitors ?" we suggested. "Yes, sir,
and the whole farm to feed Them" was the coEcise
aud significant reply. The last was literal truth,
and expressed less than the fact We find in list
Of Mr. Jefersons alotments of his servants between
farming, mechanical and mental occupations early
rs 1870 that the house servants ncludng children)
numbered thirty seven The whole Monticello estate,
so far az he had lsborers to work it. did not in some
years furnish surplus Of food sufficient for his
guests and their horses and servants! The general
mode OF travelling then in Virginia horseback,
or by carriages drawn by at least two horses; and
strangers who came from distance very generally
took carriages from some Virginia town. Male and
female servants much mole commonly accompanied
travellers than now. Mrs Randolph, who presided
over the domestic establishment at Monticello being
once asked what was the greatest number of guests
che had ever been called upon to provide beds fol
over night, replied she believed ffty!" Not only
was everything which was raised at Monticello thu.
consumed or exchanged for articles Of consumption
but heavy drafts were often made on the Bedford
estate
And such horde of fashionable company consume
something beside common farm products. Whe1
Mr.. Jefferson first reached what he fancied was t.
be retirement he was asked by his daughter on wha
scale be desired to live-how he would have the ap
pointments of his table. II will live like a plaiI
country gentleman" was the answer. But thi
standard could not be easily followed, under tn
actual circumstances delicious Virginia ham OF
its bed Of green's engrdled by its rim of eggs "a
Old Dominion,) and slice Of chicken or turke,
might do very well for "plain country gentle
mans dinner two or three times q week, and thes
could be had for the asking on every Virginia farm
But people Of fashion, to say nothing Of New
England Judges" might not expect to be kept g bre
weeks Oh ham and turkeyl Claret might suf6c
for "plain country gentleman" particularly it. q
in M. Jeersons case, he preferred it to all othe
Summer wines. His visitors might choose somethin
else; and it is not for the hospitable and suppose
wealthy entertainer to impose his tastes his guests
No person need to be told that entertaining hand
somely" is an expensive amusement
But Il was the runous Endorsement for fren
which gave the last blow to Mr.. Jeff.rsons fallin
fortunes and spread gloom over the hoepitabl
abode, which had been the scene Of such genial an
elegant festivty For full explanation Of this ran
action. re must refer our readers to the ample maj
raiive Of Mr. Randall We prefer to follow him i
his lively pictures OF the social life of Monticello
The public road TO this celebrated spot winds alou
the lower slopes OF mountainous region, till it e'
tiers q wooded syine, which leads 10 private ca
riase road shout half . mile from the mansion. IT
slight ascent is through natural forest trees anon
which Is the family burial place On emerging fro
the forest, you come to the summit of Monticell
6msed Of the original trees except here and thel
clasps single ones occasionally grouped with fir
traHsplanted native or exotic species. On . sms
levsaed space, on the very apex, stands the hous
formerly SURROUNDED by ornamental grounds, an
neariy embowesed in trees Itisa long brick stru
tufe q lofty balustrsded single story the centr
POSITION snrmounted BY fine dome. There q
spAeious porticoss ia front and rear, aud the sid
9ss: T. ,.s:. ssss On On. .:ss: .o,,
tn6 6tS6Sf yiSftor found himself IN 4 lofty near