Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-06-05
MONTICELLO AND THE
GRAVE OF JEFFERSON.
Interesting Letter from n Student.

Interesting Letter from N student.
From the Knoxville Chronicle 81.
The following extracts which we are
permitted to make from a couple of let
tiers written some months ago by a stu
dent in the University of Virginia to his
brother in East Tennessee will prove in
tcrosting to our readers, from their infor-
nation concerning the homo and last rest
ing-pIace of the Sage of Monticello.
Jefferson, it will be remembered, took
a great interest inthe Institution for which
he did so much. -
Among his papers after his death, was
found one containing the following
epitaph -..--.
"IiRRE LIES BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
Author of the Declaration of Independ-
sence, of the Statute of Virginia for
religious freedom, and Father of
the University of Virginia" -.
Our young friend has since left the
"classic shades and is now deep in the
mysteries of ophthalmology in the Queen
city.
His description, though never intended
for the eye of the public, will be found
lively aud readable:
DEAR BROTHER: 1t isR bright, beau
tifui, sunny morning, and having laid
aside "Bracebridge Hall " sit down to
write to you.
Day before yesterday, inside my long
intended visit to Monticello" Jcffer-
sons residence, b company with two
young men of th6University. The place
is distant four miles, and after tedious
walk, we halted at the foot of the noun
tain, and after a short rest commenced
the ascent by the very bride path along
which the great statesman used to urge
his tagging horse after visit to the then
infant University of Virginia
1t was beautiful walk, very steep, and
as We doube-quicked it, painting and
blowing, each endeavoring to outstrip the
other, was reminded forcibly of the
''after-swimmingn scrambles up the steep
''Karl Hugel, " in the days or yore.
At length we arrived within few rods
of the famous old mansion which still,
however, was almost entirely obscurcd by
the leafy inpenetrabilities of group of
mountain oaks, planted by Jefferson him
self, years ago.
Making a circuit, we brought the house
in full view, and it was with feeling
somewhat akin TO melancholy that we be-
held the old habitage, half in ruins by
neglect and silent as the tomb.
In front of the portico lay two ancient
dogs, who took no other notice of our
intrusion than to raise their starved visages,
utter smothered growl, and then sink
back again with melancholy indifference.
Passing round to the eastern side of the
house, we were received by an ancient
looking individual, who, after receiving
the twenty-five cents per visitor, under
took to show US all that was to be seen.
But, alas l could not prevail on my COM
panions to go through the house, or even
to visit the former owners grave, and we
accordingly ANONYMOUSLY repaired to a
neighboring cherry tree, and spent the
rest of the day eating the cherries, and
commenced our descent to the valley
several hours latter, without having seen
anything of interest, except, of course,
the exterior of the house. .
intend making one more trip, alone,
however, before l leave this place, and
then viii send you description of the
place, together with sketch of Jefferson's
present earthly abode.
Commencement day is At hand. Every
4hinG is hustle, in preparation for the
forthcoming festivities. The old band
platform is once more reared in the center
of the lawn, and the hall decorated anew.
But l must break off.
His next trip, though lacking in any ro-
mantle incident, proved more successful
in respect to Jeffersonian "reminiscences,
as appears from the following:
suppose, before proceeding farther, l
had as well as not tell you about my two
trips to Monticello. The first was made
in the morning, and was not particularly
satisfactory. Returning at y O'Clock
met two of my last session comrades
hunting about for some one to accompany
them on au expedition to Monticello, and
|, though considerably fatigued by my
mornings Tip, determined to try it sec
ond time, in their company. In the
morning, | took general survey of the
premises, and especially of the curious
old house itself, and visited me family
graveyard, about one quarter of mile
distant from the house, down the side of
the mountain. This / found to be
quadrangular brick-wall enclosure, about
twenty yards square. Entering the SOL
emn precincts through one of the ponder
Gus iron gaieways, | behold the resting
place of some fifteen persons, relatives Of
Jefferson, and of jefferson himself His
grave was marked by large, rough, un-
couth tombstone, consisting of solid
foundation block more than a yard square,
upon the top of which was pyramid of
proportionate length. / looked for some
time in vain for the name, and | could
only make out these words:
''Bon April ID, l743. OS.
Died