The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-12-14

condition it was in Jefferson's day. This Is the
result of years OF search for its original furnish
ings, and visit to this great mansion is replete
with memories of him who fashioned 1t and
brought for its decoration the works OF the
greatest artisans of France.
Timely interest attaches to Monticello because
of the active efforts of Mrs. Martin W. Littleton
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 1t as fully and freely
as though it were owned by the nation
Down at ShSdwell, which lies in the valley of
the Rivana river, two miles from the foot of the
little mountain. where Jefferson lived when
lad they still relate the story of the boys ambi-
ton to some day build beautiful home on the
top OF the mountain that overshadowed- the low
land wherein 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-nade 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 one 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 it is upgrade every inch of the way.
Through typical Virginia town you soon
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 ito prevent" as he puts it, the build
ing CT any shacks on the approach to Monticello"
Soon you drop to the level of a ripping creek
that skirts the base of Monticello to reach the
Rivana river, and then begins the climb-wind-
ing. turning twisting around the face OF the hill
under overarchng trees growing so closely to-
gether that the sky is visible only in patches.
For three miles this road. which surveyed
and laid out by Jefferson. rises steeply toward
! Monticello until sharp turn brings the visitor
! to the wroughtiron entrance gates that hang
between massive brick pillars at the gatekeep-
ers lodge.
When the visitor has passed into the incosed
grounds the gatekeeper follows up the road a
few yards where to the right hangs big brass
bell that Jefferson placed there to announce the
arrival of guests. Neither by day by night
has any one ever passed through those gates
whose presence has not been announced to those
in the big house above" by the ringing, of this
bell quaint custom that has survive5>a century
and a half
grounds of the Jefferson family where lie the
mother sisters and other members of TIE Jeis