Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1884-11-16

tCor. Atlanta Constitution. ]

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tCor. Atlanta constitutional
No one goes to Charlottesville in Virginia
without driving to aMonticello. It is the
show place Of the neighborhood, and indeed
the only place beside the university worth a
visit. The Charlottesville people are very
proud 81 two things-their courthouse and
Monticello" They invariably ask stranger
n he has sesn the former and visited the
latter
Monticello was not Mr. Jefferson's an
cestrrl home His father lived a mile or SO
away, but his birthplace was in sight Of
Monticello It had always been to him a
favorite retreat; here as young boy he
loved to come and ramble in woods and feast
his young eyes on the view that lay before
him; here as Q young man he was
won't to come with his books and papers and
with the beloved friend Of his youth Dab
uey Carr. In 1704, when Mr. Jefferson was
II years Of age wandering with Carr along
the mountain side he communicated to him
his idea Of builiing home on the spot
where 30 many pleasant hours had been
pent T.ie view from thence was magnifi-
cent Par fellow were the fertile valleys Of
Virginia stretching as far as the eye could
ses. and in the distance the range of noun
tains YVES los; in the indistinguishable line
where m ountain and horizon meet Carr en-
Enthusiastically approved OF the plan and as
listed him to elaborate the idea, and often
gavew q Gu sci in alter years as the work
went on. Tina. same year the first work was
begun whic wa, to make Monticello the
most magnificent country seat in America
The greater portion # Mr. Jefferson's slaves
were put at work leveling the top of the
mountain. Laborious and difficult was this
work, and many months were consumed in
getting that broad, smooth table land
wserscn the house and grounds stand
Before anything was done towards the
erection If The luild.ng, numerous under
ouad passages were constructed These
led in di Ierent directions from q common
center, and some Of them extended many
ards from the house. They were intended
or sewerage purposes. but were never SO
employed. One of these passages connected
with secret stairway leading to Mr.. Jefrer-
sons private apartments and the month of
the tunnel came out at the slave quarters. 1t
was habit with him to 60 through this pass
age and mount his horse at the slave quart
s-s when he took his morning ride. These
passages are sufficiently high to enable one
to walk upright in them and are heavily
ined with stone Tho secret entrances to
.onie Of them are not known to the present
proprietor of the estate and their very ex-
istence has become q matter Of speculation.
In I'LL the work Of the slave carpenters
and masons was finished and their places
were taken by small army Of Italian Decor
ators whose nimble fingers and skillful art
wero to transform the dwelling among the
Of Virginia into palace as noble
and elegant as enc along the banks Of the
Tiber. So well Gid they do their work that
it stands to-day in all its original freshness
and beauty, a never-failing source Of admir-
alton and pleasure to the visitor and tourist
Wherever practical, the decorative work is
carved from woods where this could not be
70 well done, the figures are made of q mix
ture Of rice and plaster. They are exquisitely
and arc evidently tho handiwork
Of no mean artist Some Of the designs are
heads of animals, Egyptian pottery and
curious looking vessels, whose weird shape
and almost impossible practical use, lead one
TO conclude that they belong to a civilization
remote from that of Egypt as the civilization
,f the resent century is removed from that
Of tie Ptolemies
The east front is the principal entrance to
he mansion. Over the doorway is large
TWO faced clock One Of its faces tells the
lime of day to those on the portico, CT who
nay be strolling on the grassy lawn in front
The other face is in the hall, and proclaims |
he hours and minutes TO those within. This |
look was planned by Mr.. Jefferson and |
oartly made by him. He, however, brought |
,ver from Switzerland several of the expert |
clock makers of Geneva, who remodeled the |
whole affair and placed il in order. Tho hell |
4 the clock is on the top of the I
louse, and its tones are deep enough |
o be heard q considerable distance. During |
he time these Swiss artizans remained at
Monticello enc of their numter sicLened |
nd died, and he was laid to rest in the
,urial ground where a simple stone tells the
Usual story Of birth and death. The clock
uns regularly yet and is famous for the cor
&C mess of its time.
The hall is perhaps forty feet square, and
xtends through three stories 10 the roof 1t
S not OILS IN ted by stair, ase. Originally
he stairs we've arranged in the hall, but
we're !, moyed, and airwa,s were cut out
4 the walls on either side steep, narrow.
.inding stairs perfect y inconsistent with
ny but the strictest iIeas Of sotriety. The
enter piece in the hall is a LUCE American
agile, who holds in his claws tho Suspended
amp whose six astral turner's give light and
he rfulness within. A gallery connected
With the second floor extends around two
ides, and here musicians sat and performed
s the host and his princely guest passed
hrough the dining room on the right Here
was the custom for them TO sit and play On
he evenings when guest were within, and
heir music was softened rs it foated down
hrough the open doorway and lost itself in
be summer air among the trees. The old
hshioned fire place, with its tiled hearth and
rass andirons and rods wherein q load of
rood could be placed without making too
lrge a blaze, warmed the room In the WIN
ar.
Standing in the hall the afternoon we were
here, was a bust of jefferson, mounted on
olumn. From this column the pillars at
ne capital in Washington are designed.
he bust Of jefferson has been badly used by
ne hand Of man and the hand OF time. 1t
considered excellent and ere long will be
1 the careful hands Of an artist who will re-
ore it. The floor Of the hall, as the floors
all the rooms on the first floor are, is of
ak Of high polish, laid over brick The
all was used as a rcception-room, and the
arlor opening into it from the rear made
10 two rooms exceedingly convenient for
1e purposes OF entertainment The dining
,om opened into the ball from the right, and
y the means q sliding doors, could be made
ito one with the breakfast-room and con-
'rvatory. The parlor is the noblest room in
ie mansion, oc,agonal In shape and is finished
the most elaborate style. Massive plate
lass mirrors Of French manufacture are
aried in the walls. and gorgeous chandeliers
ring from the ceiling. One of the few
.iginal articles of furniture left in the great
ouse is in this parlor, and is but simple
usic stand. II is carefully preserved and Is
,riously regarded by the visitor
The library, study and bed chamber of Mr..
Dfferson are OF the first floor. and are used
" the present proprietor for the same pur
cees they were employed In the lifetime OF
efferson. Their arrangement deserve:
office. The bed chamber Is large and finished ,
, as high Style Of art - the parlor Tbs
lantle, while not % elaborate, is a magnifi.
ent work OF art and me ebony lamps or
ither end impress the visitor with their elc
ance and teauty. The bed is in an alcovt
ctwcen the chamber and study, and can be ,
sed from either room; the door Of comrnu. ,
icaiion is at the head Of the bed 1t was in .
,is room Mr.. jefferson died, and not in one
the chambers above as some have sup
osed The study is connected with the library