St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-06-12

weather vane above, and over the
door a clock, which is run by two
strings of weights like small cannon
balls, which hang inside the hall.
In the front entrance, one catch
es his first and only glimpse of
the Jeffersonian simplicity, for en-
trance is effected through long
French window. On either side are
windows Of equal height so arranged
that hall and piazza can be thrown
together. This hall is two stories in
height and has balcony opposite
the entrance, from which in Jeffer-
sons time, often came the sound OF
music, while graceful figures moved
over the dark oak floor, in the stately
Virginia dances. The story is told
that the original plan included a
broad fight of stairs leading to this
gallery, but that Jefferson, on enter
ing one day, exclaimed, Stairs will
ruin this hall" so from passages on
either side, narrow steep fights Of
steps lead to the upper floor Open
ing from the hall, opposite the en-.
trance, is the parlor, which in turn
opens by long windows, upon an
other pillared veranda. In the fire.
frame in the dining room are three
fine Wedgewood tiles, given to the
present owner by the Wedgewood
company to replace Others which had
been given to Jefferson, and destroyed
during the war. The owner at that
time was a Union soldier, and every
thing was confscated by the Con-
federate government. On the ground
floor are bed rooms which have been
occupied by Lafayette, and Madison.
The Jefferson room was in reality
two rooms, connected by an alcove,
in which stood the curtained bed.
The beautiful dark oak floors, the
walls and the beams, seem capable
of endurance for another two centu-
res-and the whole establishment
gives one new idea of the beauty,
even magni6cence of the early Vir-
ginia homes. Yet all this was
bought the year after Jeferson's
death, by his friend Commodore
Levy, for 1900. From him it de-
scended to the present owner, Jetter-
son Levy, a granddaughter, who put
it in repair ten years ago, and now
places its value above 100000.
There being some question about the
pronunciation of Monticello, inquiry
was made of an old colored servant
who had been in the place for 40
years. This was the answer,
"Montishelleh, yesseh, Montishelleh
is what dey called itin Mr.. Jefferson's
time" so Montichello it is when di-
vested of its negro softness. On ar
rival at the grounds, a delicious
lunch was served on the lawn, fol-
lowed by short speeches, commend
rative of Jeferson's abilities as a
geographer, statesman and educator.
Then the party entered the carriages
and wound down through the beau
tiful wooded road, through Char.
lottesville, to the University of Yir'
ginia. The main building here was
partly destroyed by fire last October
but will soon be rebuilt. The broad
green campus entirely enclosed by
the white pillared buildings, homes
of the faculty and students, gave an
entirely different effect from Northern
college grounds. 1t seemed as if nc
noise or turmoil could ever penetrate
there. In the spacious grounds with
out, stand a beautiful chapel, and a
fine gymnasium, where ladies of the
city and college, received warmly
the travel.stained party. Then a re-
turn to the station by electric car, q
generous Southern dinner, and the
train bore its party away from Char
lottesville. The ride through the
beautiful valleys bathed in sunset
glow, was a delightful ending to the
latest and most perfect of the annua
Geographic excursions.
]. M. B.
Washington, D. c., May 25, 1896
| Co.. 10, toA 4.