The Washington critic., 1888-02-11

-. MONTICELLO.
II is situated on the summit Of the
mountain overlooking Charlottesville
and about three miles distant, afford
ing fine view of the University
buildings, of which Jefferson was also
the architect. It is ITO miles from
Washington and the surrounding
country, which is very fertile, is
largely occupied by vineyards, grow
ing many Of the finest varieties of
grapes in the country. These acres
upon acres Of vines are the aceretions
of vines originally brought from
Europe by Mr.. Jefferson. Virginia
claret has already taken distinct and
enviable place in the American wine
market.
The Monticello tract contains about
400 acres, most Of which is a magnih-
cent park, partly surrounded by out
lying vineyards.
The property was confscated by the
Confederate authorities during the
war and for quite a number of years
the place was closed up, remaining
so until the present representative Of
the family, Mr.. Jefferson NJ. Levy,
became Of age, when it came into his
possession, and has since been re-
Iieved Of all its embarrassments.
Mr.. Levy is now at the Arlington
Hotel, in this city, accompanied by
his sister, n charming and accom-
pished young lady, and in converse
tiflF with a CRITic reporter he fur
niMled many interesting details of the
histdS;n of his beautiful home that
have never been in print before.
MONTICELLO AS 1T IS.
Monticello was last owned by my
late uncle, Commodore Uriah p.
Levy" he said. Commodore Levy,
it will be remembered, presented to
the United States in 1853 the magnif-
cent bronze statue of Jefferson now
in Statuary Hall at the Capitol. II
was made by the French sculptor,
David d'Aniiers, and Mr.. Levy says
is the best likeness of Jefferson ex-
tant.
HThe old homestead continued
Mr.. Levy, "has changed but little
since jefferson lived there. During
the time that it was confscated many
of the smaller articles of furniture
were removed, but the old French
mirrors, the old tower clock and the
Louis XIV. furniture remain. Crowds
visit the place, many of them travel
ers on their way TO White Sulphur
Springs and other Southern resorts.
ALL are freely admitted to the grounds
and many Of the visitors call at the
house and look through the larger
rooms.
"Inherited by, President Jefferson
from his father, Peter Jefferson, who
patented the tract in the early
colonial times, it passed to my uncle,
Commodore Levy, and thence, after
its period of confiscation, to myself,
and it still remains the
OLD COLONIAL MANOR
that Jefferson made it, The section
of Virginia in which Monticello is
located is rapidly improving, and is
more prosperous than it has been for
many years. The University Of Yir-
ginia, built by Mr.. Jefferson, has over
400 students, and is jim very prosper.
Gus condition. This University, by
the way, has the second or third
largest telescope in this country.
''Monticello is the oldest eolonia
mansion now in existence. 1t wa
begun in 1743, and first occupied IL
1894. All around it are old trees
planted by jefferson. No alterations
are permitted.
THE MANSION.
"The houseis of the classical Italiar
style of architecture, and the Execu
tive Mansion down there" said Mr.
Levy, nodding his head toward where
its white walls cleaned through thu
Ieafless trees Of Lafayette Park, "wai
modelled after it, and the appearance
of the two is quite similar, excepting
for the large central dome over thu
ballroom at Monticello. But tn,
architects of the White House go
many of their ideas from Monticello
"1'he reason that Monticello is no
as familiar to Americans as Noun
Vernon, which cannot compare will
Jeffefson's home in natural beauty, /
that since the war, until 1876, it ha
been closed against inspection.
is directly in the line of Southern
travel, and the number of visitor
is constantly increasing Last sum
mer there were sometimes
A HUNDRED VISITORS IN A SINGLE DAY
"We cannot of course allow tn
grounds to be made a public park, bu
we are always glad to show visitor
our home and objects of historical in
terest. This year / contemplate tn
erection Of lodge at the gates wher
visitors can register their names
they enter the grounds.
THE FOURTH AT MONTICELLO.
"That proudest Of American hol
days the Fourth of July, is always ~
igiously observed at Monticello. o
every Independence Day, while th
place has been occupied by our famil,
and ever since its builder prepare
that glorious document, the Declar!
tion of independence has been rea
TO the assembled household in I'll
great hall, with the tower clock ticl
ing away over the wide doorway
1887 just as in 1881"
THE RELIC HUNTERS.
"Does the great army of relic hun
ers ever threaten TO loot your res
dence?" asked the reporter.
eyes, presume If they had
chance the very bricks would |
broken up in small pieces and carrie
away, But each party of visitors