Mexico Missouri message., 1910-04-07
-NONHcZZLO - DENGXE10 R/XO
RLILLT 81 MONS UEFTEPSOH

vous for statesmen. but this stately tiD
mansion, designed and built as well II
as occupied by Thomas Jefferson
stands to-day in a perfect state OF I
preservation, the finest remaining eX "
ample of the old southern plantation II Is
manor house of the colonial period. X LH
This noble seat, which ranked ~
rGhe most imposing in Virginia at VIZ
period when the Old Dominion | IN3
dotted over with baronal holdings ~
is situated in the broken and pictur- ! III
esque Piedmont region and is reached | iNIIi
from the quaint little city of Char ! sstsss
lottesvilie via winding road that has
a sharp incline En- route to the emf
nence on which the mansion stands
the visitor passes the tomb in the
woods where repose the remains of -
the famous master Of Monticello. ZC2DOZ
The nucleus of Thomas Jeferson's
Virginia estate he inherited from his
father the tract comprising some 300 acres.
At that time the best highlands of Albemarle"
were rated as worth not more than 50 per acre.
but the earning capacity of the property is ind-
Gated by the fact that from the outset 1t netted
jefferson not less than $4,000 year. The found
er of the Democratic party gradually increased
his holdings and in the year 1874 possessed
more than 5000 acres. Then several fine farms
to him as his wife's dover and thus the
period of the Revolution found him of the
richest landed proprietors in the south.
Jefferson chose as the site Of his home the
crest of a hill which he designated Monticello,
the Italian for Little Mountain. Assuredy 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 10
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 a cone. 1t slopes eastward one and one-half
miles to the Rivanna river.
Jefferson's birthplace is in sight of the por-
fico 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 but few miles north.
Incidentally 1t may be mentioned in passing that
these three ex-presidents of the United States
assembled at Monticello to welcome Lafayette on
the occasion OF his visit to the United States
From the cupola of his mansion Jefferson could
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 desig
mated Monticello he had leveled of for build
ing site, 600 by 200 feet in size On this he
erected his spacious mansion. which, with it's
wings colonnades, is in the form of a gigantic
Hetter e. The center of the letter is the man.
sion proper, while extending from 1t in positions
somewhat corresponding to the arms of the e
are WINGS Ine nat IoolS Ol WHICH lOTun PRONE
nades. The arrangement of the house in so far
these wings or colonnades are concerned is
very similar to that of the restored White House
at Washington, in the designing Of which Jeffer-
son had hand
The mansion at Monticello is of the Dorc 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 Jeffersonian 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.
On 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 a gallery under the ceiling where the
ladies OF the household could observe all that
went on at the receptions which Jefferson fire.
quentIy gave and where the band stationed
when he gave a bail. Opening from this hall are
the salon drawing ROOM the library. where JEFF
iferson housed the major portion OF bis famous
collection OF 1900 books, the dining room and