Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-22
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY MORNING, APRIL 2q, 1855
Mr.. JEFFERSON.

W II. OET EnccN
From Randalrs Life of Thomas Jefferson
With Mr.. Jefferson, the lover succeeded
the schoolboy in the due aud time-honored
order, as laid down by the melancholy
Jaaues." The only record of this affair is
to be found in series OF letters addressed by
him to his friend John Page, commencing
immediately after he left college, and ex end
ing, at intervals, through the two succeeding
wears. These are to be found at length in the
Congress edition of his works, and also in his
life By Professor Tucker.
They possess some interest, perhaps, in
relation to their subject matter, but most, as
the earliest specimens oftheir authors episto!-
airy writing which have been preserved.
Though they display something of that
easy command of language-that running
pen"-for which he was afterwards so cele.
brated, they exhibit no peculiar grace OF
style, or maturity of thought. Perhaps, how
ever. these would scarcely DO expected in
the careless off-hand illusions Of boyish lntl-
macy. It causes smile t. zee the future
Statesman "sighing like furnace in first
love: concealing, after the approved fashion
of student hie the name OF the mistress uD-
der awkward Latin puns and Greek ana
grams, to bury secret which the world, OF
course, was supposed to have vast interest
in discovering; delightedly describing happy
THAT room of the Raleigh tavern where we
shall soon find him acting 80 different part J
vowing the customary despairing VOW, that
shall, never be offered to another" aud so
e 49, ~ rall
beaten track of iDmemorial prescription
The object Of his attachment was Miss We
becca Burwell called Belinda as pet name,
or by way of concealmeut,) whom tradition
speaks of as more distinguished for beauty
than cleverness.
His proposals seem to have been clogged
with the condition that he must be absent tor
two or three years 10 foreign travel before
marriage. He several times expresses this
design, specifying England, Holland, France,
Spain, Italy, Egypt, and return through
the Northern British Provinces in America,
az his proposed route. Why he gave this uE
does not appear. Whether for this. or be-
couse her preferences lay in different d.
rection, Miss Burwell somewhat abruptly
married another man, in l1G4.
Mr.. Jefferson was generally, however
rather favorite with the other sex, and no
without reason. His appearance was engag
ing. HE, face, though angular, and far from
beautiful, beamed with intelligence, with be
neyolence, ADD with the cheerful vivacity o.
a happy, hopeful spirit. His complexion
was rudy, and delcately fair; his reddlst
chestnut hair luxuriant and silken. Hi
deepset eyes, the pervading color of which
was a light hazel, or aecks of hazel on
ground work Of gray, we're peculiarly expires
sive, and mirrored, as the clear lake mirrors
the cloud the emotion which was passing
through his mind.
He stood six feet two and half inches il
height, and though very slim at this period
his form was erect and snewy, and his move
ments displayed elasticity and vgor. LII
was an expert musician, fine dancer, {
dasbipg rider, and there was no manly exer
cise in which be could not lay we'll his part
His manners were usually graceful, bot sim
ple and cordial His conversation alread.
possessed no uncomfortable share of tina
charm which, in after years, was 80 muct
extolled by friends, and to which enemies at
tributed so seductive an Influence in mould
ing the young and the waveriDg to his poitl
cal views There was a frankness, earnest
ness, and cordiality in its tone-a deep sym
patty with humanity confidence IN man
and sanguine hopetulness in his destiny
which irresistibly won upon the feelings no
only of the ordinary nearer, but OF thos'
grave men whose commerce with the worlt
had led them to form less glowing estimate
of it-of such men as the scholar-!lke Small
the sagacious Wythe, the courtiy and gilted
Fauquier.
Mr.. Jeffsrson's temper was gentle, kindly
and forgiving. If it naturally had anythins
of that warmth which is the usual concoml
tapt of affections and sympathies so ardent
and it no doubt had, it had been sub]uga;et
by habitual control. Yet under it's placidity
there were not wanting those indications o
calm self reliance and courage which oil! IN
stipctively recognize and respect. There i
not an instance On record OF his having beer
engaged in q personal rencontre, or his bav
ing suffered personal indignity. PosseSsln:
the ACCOMPLISHMENTS, he avoided the vices 0
the youps Virginia gentry of the day, ana
class of habits, which, if MT vices themselve
were too often made the preludes OF them -
lie never gambled. To avoid .importunltle
70 games which we're generally accompanied
with betting, he never learned to Distinguish
one card from another; he was moderate II
the epioymepts of the table: to strong drinks
he had an aversion which rarely yielded II
any circumstances; his mouth was unpoliute(
by oaths or tobacco. Though be speaks 0
enjoying "the victory Of fa7orite horse" an'
the '.death of the fox" he never put but on
horse in traiuing-never ran but a siosi
raoe--and be very rarely Joined 10 the plea
ant excitement-hc knew it to be too pleas
ant for the aspiring student-ofthe chase
With such qualxss of mind aud character
with the favor of powerful friends and reia
tives, aud even of vice royalty to urge HIN
onward. MIR. Jefferson was not young mar
to be lightly regarded BY the young OF old o
either sex.
INHE PARTNERSHIP existing under ih
firm Of RODGERS Il WILLIAMS, IS TIN