Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-30
A Visit to Monticello.

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, August "a
Editor Morning Ne,Os: 1t was my pleasure,
some days ago, In company with number
of my fellow law students and bevy of
charming ladies, to visit Monticello Noun
tain, wherein is situate the once family
residence of Mr.. jefferson. Close by, in
modest country burYing ground, a plain
stone monument uninscribed (or If ever in
scribed now obliterated by the hand of time)
marks the last earthly resting place Of that
learned scholar, distinguished statesman
and noble gentleman Thomas Jefferson.
Monticello (the residence bearing the
same name as the mountain, which is
the Italian for beautiful mountain),
Is situate about three and half miles from
the University by indirect road leading
thereto. The house Is built on the extreme
point Of the mountain, and from the lawn
in front Is to be obtained perfect view Of
the surrounding country far as the eye can
reach for three points of the compass
north, east and west. The south view is
shut in by q mountain somewhat higher
than Monticello, upon the side Of which is
q fiouriShing vineyard. Grander scenery than
meets the eye on either hand It has never
been my pleasure to behold. To the right
(east) stretches out an almost perfectly level
country peculiar indeed for this section),
looking like a mighty sea, not stirred by
even ripple.
To the left (west) for a couple OF miles d.
rect is rolling country, spotted with hand
some farms. Near at hand is Charlotes-
vile plainly visible from among the trees.
Further on are the splendidly picturesque
University grounds, with its many imposing
T. IT,
range Of wood covered mountains. To the
north from where l stand looking to be scarce
more than five miles distant, but in truth
forty five or fifty, Is hollow In the noun
tain range. This, am told, is the Valley
of Virginia. One needs to see this scenery
for himself in order that he may appreciate
1t fully. How unlike our modern houses is
this one of which Mr.. Jefferson himself
was the architect. Octagenal in shape, with
very large rooms and wide halls, and the
narrowest stair cases, only broad enough to
allow one to ascend or descend at a time,
the floor of polished oak and mahogany,
high ceilings and heavy oaken doors, all to-
gether impresslng one very much with the,
to US, quaintness OF our ancestral tastes.
The servants quarters and other outDuild-
ings made Of rough stone, are near by, fast
going to decay for lack of use and repair.
About quarter of mile distanC is the bu-
rYing ground before referred to. Here,
side by side, the several members of his
family lie buried. Many Of his descendants
have, from time to time, been inferred here.
An air of neglect and forgottenness seems
attached to this sacred spot. Whose fault
1t Is know not. This ought not to be.
Soon the evening shades apprise us of
approaching night, and we HE us to our re-
spectiYe carriages and are homeward bound,
where in due season, refreshed, Instructed
and pleased, we arrive and disperse. | may
here remark that in the college grounds Is
q house which was occupied by Mr.. Madi-
son, who succeeded Mr.. Jefferson here, as
he did In the Presidency Of the United
States. 1t is In a retired part OF the
grounds, and has no striking appearance.
The University Of Virginia is splendid
institution for the diffusion Of knowledge to
the young men of our country, and a living
monument to It's distinguished founders.
Our law class Is now deep into remainders,
legacies and pleading, and lest your cores
pondent prove himself on the morrow shall
low in all these topics, he brings this epistle
to an end. JNo. W. w.