The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-05-06
SALE AT MONTEVINO.

We attended on Friday last. the sale OF the |
valuable library and vine Of the lute DR.. Jo- |
sEPH TooSo, at his former residence at Monte
vino. The day rather unfavorabe. aud
OH this account the attendance WINS small but
most of those present had come to purchase
and they made the various articles sold bring
good prices.
Montevino, as is known to many of our rea-
ders is distant from our village about mile
and half in n southeastcrly direction, and
near the residence of JonN II. WILSON, Esq.,
from whom the tract WAS originally purchased.
A gentle ascent leads to the top Of bold emf.
nencc, which commands a fine view of the al
jacent fields and forests. Here upon the Sou-
thern declivity Of the II i'll, the late Doctor had
planted fourshing vineyard which was now
budding in all the luxurisnce Of the blooming
spring. Near by he had also planted some
| choice fruit trees beds of strawberries and
rare fowers-and last though not lcast some
willo W shrubs brought from his own loved
| France-and these with oil the surroundings
of the place, must often have transported his
thoughts to the scenes of his early youth, and
the viue.clad hills of his own sunny lnnd.
Fronting the vineyard on the North he had
erected substantial mansion, built of granite
from an adjacent quarry the basement OF
which formed his capucious winece'iar whist
above were collected his valuable books aud
treasures of art.
The library WAS large one, and comprised
some rare medical, scientific and literary
works, in French, Spanish and Italian. aswci
H. IL, ba Ersn
, Spanish and Italian were for the most part
"cariarc to the general" but we had among
the purchasers, Col JAMES f. CALHOUN, Of ou'
District, whose proficiency in these language
a is well known, and who nvniled himself OF th'
f present opportunity Of aiding to his alread,
: large collection Of rare and valuable books
We had also among our number some omnlc"
;, French and Ita lian scholars who took castor
to provide largely for future attainments. TIL
+ books generally sold well, though some of IL.
>. rarer works. We thought fell far short of ,hei
true value A copy of "The Vatican lllustrn
ted" in five volumes (the only copy We be
. leve in this country,) brought about sixty
. three dullars-"Duntc illustrated" about Si'
: and besides these were sold other valuab|
works ofart illustrating the genius Of Raff'
: clle Canova and others. The valuable med
cal works and the rare anatomical plates we,
not sold on account of the slim Attendance
Of the fraternity on the occasion and the sa
of the larger portion of :he works in foreig
20 languages, wns also deferred to more favor
ar BILE opportunity.
The wine sold WELL the "Sparkling Catawb'
q. of the vintage Of 1856, sold for about 81 p
er gallon and the Burgundy md Scurpernor
,r wines the same year sold from 80 to 81 per &
n. lon. The wines Of the succeeding years 80
C. Mt prices equally high in proportion. Il
e. stock Oh hand consisted Of about 200 gallon
and readily found purchasers.
a The vineyard ut Montevino is still in s,
es cessful cultivut ion. Mr.. WILSON the Exec
tic tor of the Estate, has continued the services
the Messieurs Bernel!e, in the superintendent
a. Of the vineyard during the present year, u
N. they promise themselves a fine yield. \
is trust that they may not be disappointed,
Ter we'll as others who have fine vineyards in {
of vicinity, and that their success will lead to
general cultivation Of the vine until Abbey
ad- will resemble in more than,nam prov in
gs of the sunny land,
nd 'sThy cornfeIds green and sunny vines,
Oh, pleasant land OF France