The daily gazette., 1876-02-24
Fer the Delaware. Gazette.
MONTTtNLLO,
iHE HOME OF JEFFERSON.

1t was not until the halcyon days of
the last fading century, that the taste
and habits of Europe were being sue
cessfully reproduced in the New
World. AT time when the neither
of statesmen held the ship of State,
welding it with an all-powerful hand
in course destined to :sake it great
in succeeding ages; having at her helm
time-hopored WASHINGTON and later
immortal JEFFERSON.
It was during this period, that here
in Virginia chariots and positions in
livery, were common, while yet many
regions were in wilderness. Here
were located the residences of opulent
gentlemen, who extended to one anoth-
er that free-handed hospitality, whic h
was SO indicative of pure royal blood.
These were the descendants of the Old
Country's nobility, and they as such.
had introduced into their adopted
homes their intelligence and luxurious
habits.
Living in n new country they were
somewhat distant from one another,
hut their generosity and attractive de,
corum, coupled with their soclability,
| rendered many homes near them pleas
ant and altogether enjoyable.
1t was in the midst of such people
that Jefferson was reared, and from
whose hands he received many de
signs, which he in following years,
succeeded in executing.
| Fondly had he cherished in early
youth the erection of family mansion,
and at manhood he fastened to reap
the fruits of his desires.
Probably he realized the beauties of
Mount Vernon, nestled upon the banks
of the old Potomac; Whose blue waters,
majestically moving, washed its sloping
foundation; and ne doubt, he thought
that such memento of himself would
be by far greater, and longer living
sentinel of his name, than the greater
legacies of different character, which
he might probably bequeath.
| Owing to the beauties of mountain
scenery for which be always expressed
50 much admiration; and so much was
he influenced by the attachment of his
place of birth, that it was sure that the
selected spot would not be remote
from the precincts of Sbadwell. The
final selection Of which, however, re.
suited from tho following compact
made between himself and his esteem
ed friend, Dabney Carr
1t was In the early days of their boy.
hood, that a large oak stood on the
plantation, under which was theil
rallying ground; and here, they were
accustomed to rehearse their variou.
lessons; and it was agreed that tn,
survivor should bury the other neal
| fhic fax xArifa Lat 4.
remains Of both should there side by
side rcpose. And thus, near this spot
did Jefferson resolve to build.
Il This site was upon one of the peaks
Of range, making out from the Blue
Ridge, along by whose gently declin
ing sides, swept the impetuous Rivan-
ma, having Its sources in the msun.
tains. seme twenty miles distant.
1t was evident to Mr.. Jefferson that
the rapidity with which it passed,
would alone render it unsuitable for
navigation; and to him this was of
considerable import. For surely it
was due to the beautiful sheet of water
lupcn which, many sail Piled daily,
that Mount Vernon possessed so many
attractions. 1t was future scheme,
the result of Mr.. Jefferson's s endeavors,
that a portion of the Rivahna's waters
were utilized in canal, making up
from the James, and winding hard by
the "Littlc Mountain" while the ar
chitecture of the mansion was to be of
the Italian cast.
The top of the mountain consisted
at first of many abrupt undulations, OF
which space six hundred by three
| al,
by art transformed to leve,ness. From
the lawn, the mountain gently slopes
on every side. Within one hundred
feet of the eastern end of the lawn, the
mansion was erected, having as an ar.
chitect, Mr.. Jefferson himself, assisted
by many skilled Englishmen.
The materials for the most part, were
transported from Eugland, as was like
wise the workmen.
The studied forethought and sound
Judgment which Mr.. Jefferson exer
cised during the whole of its construc
Q tion, were here, as in all other in.
stances, highly characteristic of the
man, and indicative of solid intellect
8 and q great genius.
By arduous efforts, the building was
sufficiently complete in ITO for Mr.
Jefferson to enter and make it his per
manent home; but Monticello of thai
year was but part as compared with
it in after years, for it was not unit
his marriage, two years after, tina
great expense was added to make i
O complete in all of its parts. Th'
house consists of one large oetagona
pavilion, with wings north and south
and projecting porticos both east ant
D west; the cross-sections being each on
hundred feet.
The wings verge into underground
ways, extending to the brow Of tn
mountain ON either side; the floors o
(which are level with the cellar, ant
Ewhose nearly flat roofs formin!
autumnal promenades, are nearly leve
. with the first floor of the building
The projecting end of each terminate
:. in enc story ,turretts, twenty fee
= square, both being used by Mr.. Jeffer
le son for offices, occupying alternately
le the one during summer, the other il
n winter. 1t was thought one of thes
sr ways that Mr.. Jefferson once escapes
l Al Nf %, ,,l,