Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-01-29

Thomas JEFFERSON AND DABNEY CARR
Mr.. James Parton sketch Of Jefferson as a
Student of Law" in the February number of
the Atlantic Monthly, is very interesting
glimpse into the past, and it is evident that
the writer has carefully studied the subject
from original sources of information, The fol-
lowing passage from it places before us. in one
of Jefferson 5 early friendships, the youthful
prescntment Of a very distinguished jurlst OF
Virginia: .........-.......
Among the most beloved Of his school-fel-
lows was Dabney Carr. youth destined, like
himself. to the bar. 1t was that, Dabney Carr
who fills the place IN the annals aud hearts of
Virginia which young JOSIAH Quincy occupies
in those of Massachusetts, both having died
in the prime of early manhood, at the beg in
ming of the Revolution, after figuring hoHortbly
in its opcning scenes At this time. when JET.
tcrSon was coming into his duties as head of
his family clearing out his river and watching
liS early peas, Dabney Carr was getting into
practice rs a country lawyer; and when Jeffer-
son was at home. during the long summers, the
two friends and fellow students were ln>epara-
be. Two miles from Jefferson home was an
Isolated mountain. FIVE hundred and eighty feet
hish, which he afterwards named Monticello.
or the Little Mount. covered, then, to the sum-
nit with the primeyal forest. High up on, this
woods under an ancient oak OF vast size, the
Young friends constructed rustic seat; and
thither. in the Summer mornings. they would
ride with their law books, and pass peaceful
days there in study and conversation. Both OF
them became strongly attached to the spot. Ihey
made compact that whichever OF them died
first should be buried by the others under that
Grand old tree The compact was fulfilled.
and the place was, long after, enclosed and
made the burial place, of, the Jetfersons;s so
that both the friends now repoSe on the spot
where they studied together in their youth. 1t
was these happy visits to the mountain that led
to its selection by-and-by, as the sire nt jet
terson's abode.
when the young men returned to Shadwcll
at the close of the day, they returned 70 a
house full of sisters, three OF whom we're
young ladies-twcnty-6 twenty-one, nine
teen years of age; the work of the day done,
The costume of the evening assumed. the ev-
.n;pr meal ready, the violin and music in the
next room. 1t was the beautiful and gifted
MARTHA 10 her nineteenth year, upon whom
Dabney Carr fixed his affections: and in the
summer vacation Of 1863 jefferson had the
pleasure of seeing them married. The BRIDE
groom had still his fortune to make, and they
went away to live few miles off in the next
county of Louisa, 10 house amusing to them
all for its smallness and simplicity. 1T was one
nt the triumphant marriages. This friend of
ours, Page, wrote Jefferson when they had
been five years married in a very small house.
with table, half dozen chairs. and one or
two servants, is the happiest man IN the uni
verse. Every incidentin life he so takes as to
render it source Of pleasure With as, much
benevoleuce as the heart of man will hold, but
with an utter neglect of the costlyapparatus Of
life he exhibits to the wor rid new phenonle:-
non in philcsophy-the samlan ma sage n IN the a tno
Writ adds. from tradition current in Virginia,
that Dabney Carr was the most formidable II
val in oratory that Patrick Henry had among
the lawyers of his own age and that his person
was was of of engaging elegance: and his voice finely
toned. In old age Mr.. Jefferson wrote of him
ns the man who united inAcxible frmncss Of
principle to the most perfect amabiity.