The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-09-04

tomb OF Virginia S great philosopher, states
man and philanthropist, Thomas Jefferson.
| The granite monument, eight feet high and
as solid and unpretending as his own charac-
ter, but sorely battered and defaced by van
dial relic-hunters, bears the epitaph which he
desired to be inscribed: 'sHere lies buried
THOMAS JEFFERSON, author OF the Dec,
laration OF Independence, Of the Statute of
Virginia for Religious Freedom. and Faith
er of the University of Virginia" What
glorious inscription! What Mecca in all
future ages for devotees of equal rights, true
democracy, religious liberation and universal
education, each necessity to the other and
all to the stability and progress Of the Re-
public. The nation has been blamed for not
erecting stately monument, but think l.
was we'll that it waited until it could do
SO without being rebuked by the princ-
pies Of the illustrious dead. Soon the
new monument ordered by Congress will
mark his last resting place, but his noblest
monuments will ever be the Republic itself,
and the great University we look down upon
near Charlottesville, with its graceful rotun-
da standing out in relief from the deep, ten
der blue Of the mountains beyond.
The stately mansion that crowns the Gilt.
tie mountain is commodious and elegant.
Though stripped and neglected. has suffered
less than we might expect in ward so long in
chancery. On every hand we see some remind
er Of the great patriot, and we can well imag-
inc the delight he found in this quiet retreat
from the turmoil of politics, surrounded by
his superb. collections Of art, books,and scien.
tific instruments, busted with philosophical
meditations and agricultural improvements,
and extending Inequalities to his numerous
visitors, from de Lafayette and de. Chastallux
to the neighboring farmers and gentry. We
can still see curious old clock and his marble
bust in the spacious entrance hall, his little
dining room with polished in laid floor and
gilt French mirrors, the old and awkward
stairways, and the plain, .bareroom in which
he died. The whole house is curious and
full of the most interesting memories, but is
rapidly going to decay. Will not the words
of an admiring Englishman be needed: ''If
the State will not, the country should, see
that the home of Jefferson, is, like that
of Washington, preserved as an historic
shrine to which the lovers OF liberty may
repair for many generations to come"
Out upon the lawn from under the shade
of the fine old aspens we look off over the
leafy forest tops upon scene OF singular
beauty. and we cannot wonder at the devo-
ton OF Jefferson to his mountain home. To
the eastward as far as the eye can reach is
spread out the gently rolling plain of Mid
die Virginia. q champaign country OF field
and forest, dotted with farm houses and vii
lagos and deeply cut by meandering streams.
To the northeast and southwest stretch the
coast range, often cultivated to its top ard
bearing orchards and vineyards on its flanks.
To the westward of it we look far up the
broad valley Of the Rivanna until it is lost
in the dark gorges of the Blue Ridge. The
rich, red rolling lands Of Albemarle seem to
be we'll cultivated and peopled by a thrifty,
industrious and prosperous population. Be-
low us, by the road up which Tarleton' s troop
eIs dashed to capture Jefferson and the Virgin
ia Legislature at Charlottesville, are they WOOL
en- mills which have proved the success and
profit of first class manufactures in Virgin
ia. They turn out to-day as fine a quality
of all wool cassimeres and at as low a price
as any mill in New England. Farther off
are Charlottesville and the University almost
hidden.by the dense foliage of their shade
trees and surrounded by vines and fruit
trees, waving grain and luxuriant pastures.
The fitting frame for this exquisite picture
is the Blue Ridge with its every varying but
always lovely tints. Pollard has spoken fit
ly of this popularity of this range of noun
tains so loved by all who know them we'll
SIT Is the changes Of its robes, and especial
! ly of those gorgeous ones which it put on at
| evening. All mountains seen afar are blue
| distance lends this enchantment to the
view-but this particular range of mountains
| in Virginia has a depth, variety and
wealth of different shades of blue that are
strikingly peculiar, and so much so that,the
| color has given them their name. 1t is blue
of Infinite richness, of a strange misty depth
that battles analysis, and as variable as the
sunset sky that joins with it. Now, mist
gilded, again light as The heavens arch,
again purplisb, again indescribabe as a
mixture of blue and red, and all these
| phenomena taking place, perhaps, in half an
hours span OF the sun, the garments of the
mountains changed, swift as the weavers
shuttle that makes them in the light woven of
earth and sky. There are ranks of color
in the scene from the foot hills OF the Blue
Ridge to the horizons verge. The near
mountains are gray and mottled, for we see
the soil anQ can count their ribs of rock next
is a broken rank of haggard mountains, a
pale, indescribable blue; then where it touch
es the sky. al outline of blue and gold and
purple all around, fit hem of garment for
the beautiful and majestic world.''
| F. j. B.