The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1912-11-28

condition 1t was In Jefersons day. This is the
result or years of search for it's original furnish
1ngs and visit to this great mansion is replete
with memories of him who fashioned it and
brought for It's decoration the works Of the
greatest artisans of France
Timely interest attaches to Monticello because
of the active efforts Of Mrs. Martin w. Litteton
and others to prevail upon congress to buy the
estate, while Mr.. Levy is determined to retain
it. both because Of the loving care bestowed upon
the property by his family and the fact that the
public enjoys admission to it as fully and freely
as though 1t were owned by the nation.
Down at Shadwell, which lies in the valley of
the Rivana river. two miles from the foot of the
little mountain, where Jefferson lived when a
lad they still relate the story Of the boys ambi
ton to some day build beautiful home the
top of the mountain that overshadowed the low
land wherein was his parental home. and how.
finally, he came into possession OF Monticello and
realized one Of his boyish dreams.
The great dome of the mountain did not offer
sufficient room for the mansion he had conceived
and ten years Of labor with head, heart and
hands elapsed before the crest of the hill had
been leveled Seven years more 1t took to crown
this man-made plateau with the magnificent man
sion to which presidents. princes and the people
have made common pilgrimage to pay homage
TO the memory Of the man whose wonderful mind
and tireless energy found time from the affairs
of state to evolve Of the most remarkable
specimens Of Colonial architecture In existence
Monticello lies about two miles south and five
miles west of the busy little town Of Charlottes-
vile, and 1t Is upgrade every inch of the way.
Through a typical Virginia town you
strike into road barren of houses on either side
and you learn from this the first lesson of what
the present owner has done to preserve the
sanctity OF the Jefferson home and estate. From
close to the town boundary hundreds of acres on
both sides OF the road have been bought by
Mr.. Levy, "to prevent" he puts 1t. "the build
ing of any shacks on the approach to Monticello"
Soon you drop to the level of ripping creek
that skirts tho base of Monticello to reach the
Rivana river and then begins the climb-wind
under overarching trees growing so closely to-
gether that tho sky Is visible only in patches.
For three miles this road which was surveyed
and laid out by Jefferson. rises steeply toward
Monticello until sharp turn brings the visitor
to the wroughtlron entrance gates that hang
between massive brick pillars at the gatekeep-
er's lodge
When the visitor has passed into the incosed
grounds the gatekeeper follows up the road
few yards where. to the right, hangs big brass
bell that Jefferson placed there to announce the
arrival OF guests. Neither by day nor by night
has any passed through those gates
whose presence has not been announced to those
in the big house above" by the ringing of this
bell, a quaint custom that has survived century
and half
A turn of road brings into view the old burial
grounds of tho Jefferson family where lie the
mother. sisters and other members Of the Jefer.