New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-21
Attp9)ork Daaw G1ibna6
NEW PUBLUA TIONN
uryERsoN'S PRIVATE LIFg

Mr.. Rsnosrs ambitious venture 10 SiogSAs
brought to . cio.e in this volume, wisAsst ~
..,.rt;L change in the spirit OF its PortratssG
hs ..v,s Of its execution. II is throughout d..
ips high shwrougbt, and often eloquent euoU 81
character of his subject, showing deep eatauassa
for b. principles. a. well as admiration ~
cueer: founded OF wide research and eKsass
corresroudsuce; faithfully elaborated Ia IL ~
n,sb,rsiye details: but indu)ging IL az exabsn
snd Inflated diction which is no less oiierAse b u
purity Of our mother tongue than 'naPProPnsas
tho genius Of Biographical narrative. "ia u
abatement which applies to the wh hSs wort u
ure,ept volume is one of eyceedios INTEREST," h II
o,e4rsl reader. sswell as OF valuable import fw
Il. copious materials, to the future historian Ii
descriptions, especially of the private and dSossSs
life of tie great democratic philosopher arc saH
sry attractive for their minute touches and nAsas
co,orips. and tempt US in this notice 70 give ~
our exclusiye attention, without even dludiNA
the political conflicts in which Mr.. JsaersSa ,"
such distinguished part.
Soon After the Inauguration Of Mr. MsdsM
(Msrch 4, 1907, at which Mr. Jefferson ""ptss'
su.. he took leave of the capital. snd returned
bis beloved home at Monticello. The cinzens
his native county (Albemarle) wished to g'7eh
a public reception; but with the aversion 70 P1h
which was marked feature OF his character.
| declined :he ovation, but received in is sAal,
coprrstulstory address from his old fretds n
neiphbors One of his first letters, after hlA
turn. was TO. his successor in Office Before tsi
inc on politics, he alludes to tue backwsrdnssi
the Spring, the bad prospects of t)bac,o and wAss
and the low price Of -four. There was no npd
vegetation, he remarks, but in the red maple. "
weeping willow, and the lilac. The sea'oA and II
weather were always fayorite topics. BOA b
letters and his Journals show the interest xn
which he watched the changing phases OF asaN
This was as much with the curiosity OF the y
losopher as with tho practical eye ol tho agnes
turist. Unlike Madison, Mr. JefersOn was dSH
frank and upre.eryed in his social intercourse. Oh
oil subjects he expressed his opinions with Psdss
fearIessness His, political leutenants ofsea sstM
ahsst st bis freedom. His collOquial powers ww,
accordingly, Of high order His convenstc
especially as he advanced in life, rarely betra!d
enthusiasm; he made no attempt at bnlasq
and was wholly destitute OF wit. 1t sboanlN
however, in information, was embroidered wf
stately compliment and courtesy, and posscssA
a certain fascination, which completely wsa&
ear Of his listeners
Upon returning to bis plantation, Mr. Jefsna
discovered the usual consequences of tho prorsSA
abseLce of the proprietor kIis lands had lostk
tlty, during his residence in Washington. E,g.
thing was oat of repair. His directions had IN
neglected, or badly executed. Add to this II
Spring was cold and backward, and but saah
preparation could be made for the crop. HhbG.
den of care thus became great. He generally wek
to bed the most tired man on his farm. He thust-
scribed bis habits of life in a letter to KosHuiks
Feb 26, 1910:
Ny mornings are devoted 10 CORES )onGence. Fn
breakfast TO dinner, am in my shops, my garden,
on horseback among my farms from dinner to dan
give to society and recreation ith my ignbossk
friends and from c,ndle-light to bedtime read n
nesth Is Perfect, and my strength deraby re-
forced by the activity OF the course pursue pehss
II s as great as usually falls TO the l0i O near any
seven years Of age. talk Of p,ows aid harrowJ VI
seeding ard harvesting, with my neghber, sudd
politics, too, If they choose, with little reserve
the rest Of my fellow ct'zeos, and feel at length n
blessing of being free to say and do what l pleas,
without being responsible for IL to any mortal pen
OF my occupation, and by no The least pssaAg,
is the direction OF the studies of such young msa
ask it. They place .hemaelyes in the neignboying VI
lsge, and have The Use of my library and couuse, I'd
make part OF my society. In sdvi.ing the coursa
their reading, endeavor TO keep their attention fGsd
on the main objects Of all science the freedom sadh
piness OF man. 30 that, coming to bear share u ~
COUNCILS and government OF their country, they vii
keep ever in view the sole objects OF all legitnGs
ktata -ft H.. .If~waA kaan
ness Of retiring ubemb and nde pendsst 70 toe
Enjoyment Of my estate, which is ample for my hnted
views, have to pass such length of time ia sthIe|
dom OF mind never before known to me. Excer M
this, my happiness would heys been perfect lhH
yours may never know disturbance and that you uT
ENJOY meny years of life, health sod ease youf
self shall wish IL the sincere prayer Of your cohssa
ard sfiecticDate friend.
The aboJe paragraph gives the first intmstloas
the pecunisry difficulties which enbittered "
Jeferson's old age. His property had been vC
considerably dsmsged, 80 early as during the Rs't
lutiOnary war, by sales of Iand at uuiayorabs p
riOd', 10 meet certain British claims on the par-
mony OF bis wife. While 10 office, bis expesr
were seldom met by his salary. 1t was oalys
Vce-President that he derived auy pecunisyI
vantsge from his position. The embargo addeas
bis burdens while President and no left the Oks
owing $4,000 Still in 1909, he owned mo~
than ten thousand acres of land much of which ws
worth $50 an acre, beside splendid mansion, VITA
costly furniture, and an extensive library. Ha
farms were well, though not extrsvsg .nty stocks
and on his homestead at Monticello WAS aoanrt
mill, with several small manufacturing shops. III
property might fairly be estimated a. sSo6
100000. His family was not large, nor psfte'
larly expensive. II came to consist Of tho fsmIJs
his son-in-law Mr. Randolph, aud generally Of W.