The Neshoba Democrat., 1910-04-07

father the tract comprising some 1900 acres.
At that time "the best highlands of Albemarle"
were rated worth not more than 50 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 s., 900 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 proprietors 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 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-half
miles to the Rivanna river.
Jefferson's birthplace is in sight of the por-
tco 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 it 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 II 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 off for a build
ng site 600 by 200 feet in size On this he
erected his spacious mansion which, with its
wings or coonnades 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 e
are wings the fat roofs of which form prone
nades The arrangement Of the house In so far
as 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 Doric or
der of Grecan architecture. with heavy cornices
and massive balustrades. The interior Is in the
Ionic style and it must be admitted that there
is little about this magnificent home suggestive
of Jeffersonian simplicity. The front hall
cedes six feet within the wall Of the building
and portico projects about 25 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.
ouently gave and where the band 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 $4,000 books, the dining room and