The Appeal., 1910-04-09

father, the tract comprising some 1000 acres.
At that time "the best highlands of Albemarle"
were rated as worth not more than So per acre.
but the earning capacity of the property is indi-
Gated by the fact that from the outset it netted
Jefferson not less than 50 900 a year. The found
er OF the Democratic party gradually increased
his holdings and in the year 1774 possessed
more than 5000 acres. Then several fine farms
came to him as his wife's dover and thus the
period of the Revolution found him one of the
richest landed propretors in the south
Jefferson chose the site of his home the
crest of hill which he designated Monticello
the Italian for Little Mountain. Assuredly no
more beautiful or inspiring location could be
imagined and veteran travellers all agree that the
magnificent panorama which lies spread out be-
fore the gaze of the observer on this height is
unsurpassed anywhere in the world The little
mountain on the apex Of which jefferson placed
his residence is $50 feet high and in the form
OF cone. 1T slopes eastward one and one-haf
miles to the Rivanna river
Jeffersons birthplace is in sight of the por-
t1co at Monticello. Seemingly almost directly
below is the University of Virginia, which was
founded by Jefferson. President Monroe lived
eight miles down the valley and the home OF
President Madison was but few miles north.
incidentally 1t may be mentioned in passing that
these three eXpresidents of the United States
assembled at Monticello to welcome Lafayette on
the occasion Of his visit to the United States.
'oih Iho Cupold VI HlS mansion JeHeTSOn cOulQ
gaze upon IL of the richest counties of Virginia,
and In one direction the view extends to the
Blue Ridge mountains. nearly SO miles away
The top of the hill which jefferson had destg-
mated Monticello he bad leveed off for a build
ing site. 600 by 200 feet in size. On this he
erected his spacious mansion, which, with its
wings or colonnades. Is in the form of gigantic
letter e. The center of the letter is the man.
sion proper, while extending from it in positions
somewhat corresponding to the arms of the
are wings. the fiat roofs Of which form prone
nades. The arrangement of the house in so far
these wings or coonnades are concerned is
very similar to that Of the restored White House
at Washington. in the designing of which Jefrer-
had hand
The mansion at Monticello is of the Doric or
der of Grecian architecture, with heavy cornices
and massive balustrades. The interior is in the
Ionic style and 1t must be admitted that there
Is little about this magnificent home suggestive
OF Jefersonian simplicity. The front hall re-
cedes six feet within the wall of the building
and portico projects about rs feet, with stone
pillars and steps.
In the interior the hall or main room of the
house extends to the full height of the building
and Is typical Of the spaciousness of the house
There is gallery under the ceiling where the
ladies of the household could observe all that
went on at the receptions which Jefferson fire.
quently gave and where the band was stationed
when he gave ball. Opening from this hall are
the salon or drawing room. the library, where JEFF
ferson housed the major portion of his famous
collection OF 10000 books the dining room and