The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-11-17
SOME Il hooks.
New Book About Jefferson.

L~ippincott Coz. Tho author has undoubt-
edly fulfilled his purpose. which was 10
ena bic the reader to sec tho man as he
actually was and not as his partisens or
his opponents have represented mnl'
There is no trace Of prejudice or Of hero
worship In these pages. Mr.. Curtis II
no more blind to Jererson's faults than,
ne IL 70 his abilities and accomplishments.
and few persons will dispute the sound
ness OF the principle m which this nara
tive is written, the principle. namely. that
20 form n correct estimate OF a mans
character. his shortcomings rs well az
his merits should receive exhibition.
There Is not one OF the twelve chapters
which does not deserve careful perusal.
for, even when the authors material il
not new. Il Is often presented In a new
light. We have singled out. however.
for particular attention the two last chap
tiers, in which Jererson's religious views
are discussed and his ser vices 10 science
recorded.
I.
In the chapter on Jeferson's religious
opinions, his morals are naturally consid-
cred, and II Is pointed out that some asser-
tons, to which his admirers have given
currency. are not entirely well founded.
Thus his overseer. Edward Bacon, when
debating his recollections Of Jefferson
70 a clergyman, said He never played
cards. Mrs. Randolph. In memoranda
prepared for her fathers biography, gave
similar testimony. which has been accepted
by nearly every writer OF Jefersoniana.
Mr.. Curtis says that, as a matter Of fact,
Jenerson's account books show frequent
entries OF money won or lost in games
OF chance. They were small sums. how
ever, the largest amount recorded here
as havtng been lost at any one time being
eighteen shillings. Again, his daughter
testifes that "he never drank ardent
spirits or strong wines" Edward Bacon
gives similar testimony. The truth Is
that Jefferson imported large quantities
Of wine, and we know from one OF his ac-
count books that during his first year In
the White House he spent 81, 2o2 for wines,
and In his fourth year 81 ,eos for the same
purpose. His cellar being thus amply
stocked, il Is not surprising that In the
four following years he should have spent
much less. Mr.. Curtis points out that
shis Madeira (which certainly cannot be
described as a light or weak wine seems
TO have occupied a larger share OF his
thoughts thar any other OF his wines.
Jefferson made a table showing how long
each pipe Of Madeira had lasted up TO 1904.
To those familiar with Jefferson's life II
Is well known that a Scotchman named
Calender, whom jefferson released from
Imprisonment, and to whom he often lent
money, ultimately turned upon his bene-
factor. II was this Calender who published
the story OF Hamilton's relations with Mrs.
REYNOLDS, and was the author Of several
miserable scandals about Washington. He
tried to blackmail jefferson into making
him Postmaster at Richmond. and when
Jefferson had the moral courage to refuse
Calender printed a series of revolving
stories about his private life. which were
Northern States. OF these stories Mr.. Curtis
observes that some Of them were based
upon local gossip at Charlottesville, and
doubtless had a slender vein OF truth, a
meagre excuse for existence, but Callender's
vulgar and malicious mind magrifed and
distorted them. jefferson never stopped
TO a denial. and his political opponents chose
10 interpret his silence as an admission Of
guilt Mr.. Curtis adds. He was probably
no more immoral than Franklin. Washing
ton. Hamilton and other mel of his times.
lie was neither a St. Anthony nor a Don
Juan. Judged by the standard Of his genera
ton, his vices were those Of a gentleman
and such as did not deprive him OF the
respect and confidence Of the community. >
II seems that the local traditions attribute
to Jefferson -the paternity 81 a distinguished
man Of the generation following him, who
was prominently identified with the develop
ment Of the West. and whose mother, farnous
for her beauty and attractions, a lived
near Monticello, IL is certain that Jefferson
looked after her interests. educated her son,
appointed him to Office. gave him oppor-
tunities for advancement and showed an
anectionate solicitude for his welfare, but
as Mr.. Curtis sayz. II h. only charitable 10
assume that this was due 20 a friendly rather
than a paternal interest We are further
told tina in early days and up to a reo"nt
period nearly every mulattO by IN" nam"
az JET erson Ia Albermarle county, and they
wer. numerous. claimed descent from IA"
Sags of Monticello, a claim which sratlh"d
their pride. bat seriously damaged his
reputation az th"-' reports J'r"rson
s.ems g. have taken uo notice, eto-pt 90 a
single instanoe during The campaign ~
is0, a resp-gabl. mllatto. living ln phlu.
named Madison Hruing-. huastrd that be-
,as q son ~ the President and ~ sail,
H.ninss. Who va on" II his slay"-. and
y.n.r.on invoked ins carefully k-pf record
OF vital stAtlslos ~ Monticello a. pros" az
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