Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-01-09
COMMUNICATED.
UNIVERSITY OF Va,
Iapuarv fR7S

elapsed since we last noticed an epistle
in the Register from Mary Beau. Dur
ing this time however we have been
pursuing "the even tenor of our way"
now in the lecture room; now in the
diasecting hall. Our subjects for dis
section are mostly negroes, and accord
ing to my opinion the ugliest specimens
a man ever stuck knife into. But
beauty of outline and heavenly aspect
Of countenanee is not a necessary in
gredient, fol- it is only the structure and
relations of the different parts that
claim the attention of the medical STU
dent.
Christmas day passed off very quietly
amongst US, most of the boys went
home to spend that day with father and
mother, sister and brother, and perhaps
to see some one else. Divine service
was held in some of the churches in
Charlottesville, and the bells as they
gave forth peal after peal, as they ech-
oed chime after chime, seemed to say
happy Christmas pleasant Christmas
to each and every one. The day how
ever was not devoid of some of the
usual phenomena incident to such an
occasion-I refer to iveiiness, caused
by artificial stimulauts.
A few days ago Mr.. r. d. Lamar
from Frederick City, Md, Mr. N. L.
| Snyder from Dutfields, in our own dear
county, and myself INDUCED in trip to
Monticello, the old home of Thomas
Jefferson. These gentlemen kindly
paid us visit during the holidays, and
/ thought I could no. do them greater
honor than taking them out to see the
private residence Of one Of our country s
greatest men.
This property contains at present
about 220 acres, is situated about three
miles from Charlottesville, and belongs
to the Levy Heirs. The old Comma
dore having died in 1862. Just now
they are quarreling over it, and hence
its dilapidated condition.
Passing through town and following
a winding road for two miles, We come
to the foot of the mountain on whose
summit sits Monticello, overlooking the
large valley beneath After a weari-
some climbing we at length reached
the top, and then realized the fact that
we stood upon ground sacred 10 every
true Virginian, and cherished in the
heart of every American citizen. Here
the great patriot lived Here the great
statesman died.
Standing here moment grand
panorama presents itself. Westward
lies Charlottesville in all its beauty, and
to the rear Of this the stately dome Of
the University is seen towering towards
the sky. In front looms up Carter
Range, while on your left mountain
seems piled on mountain, till the top
most disappears in the clouds. To the
rear, away off amidst the hills Edgehill
Seminary is seen. This Institution is
presided over by Miss Randolph, a great
granddaughter of Mr.. Jefferson. Our
ordinations of wonder at all this rich
display of nature thrown up around us,
brought ont some ugly looking dogs,
followed by negro man. He kindly
consented to withhold his canine COM
panions, while we iu'the meantime as
cended the porch
After a few knocks, Mr.. Wheeler, the
gentleman who occupies the house, pre-
sented himself at the door. Telling him
or mission he eXacted twenty-five cts
from each of us for his trouble, and
then babe us enter. The house contains
thirty-six rooms and including the base
ment is three stories high. at was built,
say, ninety five years ago." in the Ian
guage of Mr.. w.
The porch is large one supported
by massive pillars. There is a similar
one on the other side of the house
What struck us very forcibly was that
the entire outlines of the buildings and
to some extent their interior, are almost
an exact pattern of the University and
its buildings, which You know was
founded by Jefferson. Entering the
door aud passing the Threshold we
meet in the Hall. The first thing Mr..
w. showed us was. Mr.. Jetferson's
large cight-day clock, placed above the
door. It's weights, or rather the cords
to which the weights are attached, ran
out horizontally to the corners Of the
hall, over pully and down the sides
of the wall to the basement below.
Each consists of eight twelve pound
cannon balls. On the sides of the wall
are printed in large letters the days of
the week, and the cords were so adjust
ed that they were always opposite the
proper day of the week. Incliping
against the wall is a folding ladder
made by Jefferson's own hands, and up
which he would ascend when he wished
to wind it up. In this hall also is the
bus, of Jefferson, which he had execut-
ed bv his own order Mr.. w. in ex-
planning the figure made very pretty
little speech which he seemed to have
very well committed. In the centre
hangs chandelier, and attached to the
ceiling above this is the American eagle
surrounded by eighteen stars.
Crossing into the Dining Room, we
were told that here Mr.. j. used to take
his meals and drink his wines. In this
room is dumb waiter so arranged to
bring up wines, &c, from the basement
below. We now enter the Pallor. The
floor of this room is made of square