The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-08

in the fifth, wheat; in the sixth and sew
enth, clover. This was, in theory, an ex-
eellcnt rotation for the improvement of the
land, but it was very Improbable, and Mr..
Jefferson became more and more involved
in debt
Yet Mr.. Jefferson enjoyed, although he
did not profit by the management Of his
estate, and generally retired fatigued, but
happy He thus described his daily hab-
its Of life in a letter to Koskinco, who was
also the cutivator Of small estate:
"My mornings are devoted to correspon-
dence. FROM breakfast to dinner | am in
my shops, my garden, or on horseback
among my farms; from dinner to dark |
give to society and recreation with my
neighbors and friends, and from candle
light to bedtime | read. My health is
perfect, and my strength considerably re-
inforced by the activity of the course |
pursue; perhaps it is as usually falls to the
lot of man near sixty seven years Of age.
l talk of plcws aud harrows, of seeding
and harvesting, with my neighbors, and of
politics, too, if they choose, with as little
reserve as the rest of my fellow citizeus,
and feel, at length, the blessing Of being
free to say and do what please, without
being responsible for it to any mortal. A
part of my occupation, and by no means
the least pleasing, is the direction of the
studies Of such young men as ask it.
They place themselves in the ncighboring
village, and have the use of my library and
counsel. In advising the course of their
reading, | endeavor to keep their attention
fixed on the main objects of all science,
the freedom and happiness of men. So
that, coming to bear a share in the coun-
ellis and government Of their country, they
will keep ever in view the sole object Of
all legitimate government. Instead Of the
unalloyed happiness of retiring unembar-
rassed and independent to the enjoyment
of my estate, which is ample for my lin
tied views, have to pass such length Of
time in thraldom of mind ESyor before
known to me. Except for this, my hap
piness would have been perfect. That
yours may never know disturbance, aud
that you may enjoy as many years of life,
health and ease as yourself shall wish, is
the sincere prayer Of your constant and
atfectionate friend"
The ruinous hospitality Of those days
was heavy burden upon Mr.. jefferson
We find in list of his allotments of his
slaves, between farming, mechanical aud
menial occupation, as early as 1910, that
the house servants (including children
numbered thirty seven. The whole Mon
ticollo estate, so far us he had laborers Il
work it, did not, in some years, furnish q
surplus of food sufficient for his guests and
their horses and servants. The genera
mode of travelling then in Virginia was on
horseback, or by carriages drawn by at
least two horses; and strangers who came
from distance very generally took car
riages from some Virginia town. Male
and female servants much more commonly
accompanied travellers than now. Mrs
Randolph, who presided over the domestic
establishment at Monticello, being once
asked what was the greatest number o.
guests she had been called to provide bed
for every night, replied "she believed fifty.
Not only was everything which was raised
at Monticello thus consumed or exchanged
for articles Of consumption but heavy draft
were often made on the products Of othol
estates.
While unbounded hospitality reigned a
Monticello, the slaves were well treated
The work was light, the master was indul
gent, and the mistress was kind aud loviug
to all. When jefferson died, on the Ali
of July, 1916, on the semi centennial au
niversary Of the declaration of indepen
dence, he left behind him $50, Of all ages
who were sold at auction. By his direc
tions small granite obclisk was erected
over his grave, which is on the Monticello
estate, and on it was inscribed
HERE WAS BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON,
AUTHOR OF OUR DECLARATION or ISDE
PENDENcE, or THE STATUTE or
VIRGINIA FOR RELIC
IOUs FREEDOM
AND THE FATHER or THE UNIVERSITY OF
VIRGINIA.
The marble slab, on which the inscrip.
tion is cut, has been carried to the house
to preserve it from the vandatioa Of relic
hunters, who have so clipped the granite
monument as to distigure it. The private
graveyard in which it stands is sadly ne.
elected, and oyergrown with bi'iars,
Mr. Jeffersons real monument is the
neighboring University of Virginia, a,
Charlottesville, which he founded, and at
which there has been since an average Of
800 students. 1t is delightful location
for an institution of learning, and on its
roll Of graduates are the names of the
leading southerners Of the past and the
present generation.
Monticello, after passing through sew.
eral hands, became the property Of Cap.
tain Levy, of the navy, who bequeathed il
with certain conditions, to the State OF
Virginia for military school, 1t is to
be wished that the United States would
purchase it, and keep it as one Of a series
Of experimental farms, on which new va.
rieties Of produce could be tested, aud ex.
periments could be made in adding to the
productiyeness Of the soil, and in COM
batting insects injurious to vegetation. 1t
would be a proper use for such hallowed
spot.-Bea Pcriey Poore IN american CaI.
tiUdt6r,
From "Howe's Historical Collections, .
We append the following description of Mr.
JsfiersOn's personal appearance;
In person, Mr.. Jefferson was six feet
two inches in height, erect aud well formed
though thin; his eyes we're light, and full
of intelligence; his hair, originally of a yel.
lowish red, was in his latter years silvered
with age; his complexion was fair, his fore
head broad, and the whole face square and
expressive of deep thinking; his counte-
nance was remarkably intelligent, and open
as day, its general expression full Of good
will and kindness, aud when tho occasion
excited it, beaming with enthusiasm; his
address was cordial, conforming the good
will Of his lips; his motions we're flexible
and easy, bis step firm and sprightly; aud
such were his strength aud agility, that he
was accustomed in the society Of his chill
dren, Of which he was fond, to practise
feats that few could initiate His manner
was simple, mingled with native dignity.