Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09

welfare was ever In his thoughts: and
ho found time to write them charming
small matter Of dreas. telling them Of
the great events transpiring and OF Shs
mon who were making the laws OF the
new republic.
i
His bfll for the education OF 1h0
masses. formulating a complete sys-
tenn OF public schools beginning At
the primary grade and reaching to The
state university. was never taken 1p.
The Establishment of tho University
Of Virginia. from 1916 to 1895. was the
crowning work OF his life and dreams.
and when too enfeebled by old age and
innrmities to ride down to rec TIN
building going on. he would take his
telescope and watch II from his noun
tain observatory.
He received hundreds of letters from,
young men In different parts OF the
United States asking his advice upon
certain lines OF study. These letters
svered. He freely loaned his books 20
those who came to his home. losing
hundreds of volumes by his courtesy.
He admonished the young mon Of his
acquaintance to cultivate strong and
lasting friendships. dwelling with ON
phasis upon those of his own life.
which had been tower OF strength to
him.
During Jsnerson's mission to Franco
his elegant quarters in Paris were not
only tho resort of the great society Of
the day socially. but also OF the scien-
fists. men OF letters. artists and the
reformers of that great struggle pre-
ceding the French revolution. when
his advice was asked bout a compro-
mise between the king and the liberal
was exercised. and he suggested that
the king present q charter in which
he should grant liberty OF person, of
the conscience and the press. a trial by
meet annually and control taxation.
and q ministry responsible to the peo-
pie. The compromise could not be
made. and Jefferson lived to see the
Barnave. Mirabeau. De Lameth. pu
Port and Mounier were all guests at
Jefferson's house He knew the clever
Nine. de Stael. and must have enjoyed
her brilliant conversation.
-
But Jefferson's friends were of every
nationality and creed. In many vays
his life abroad was most conseutaI 10
him, and though he had accepted the
mission for which he was first sent
abroad for two years. II was prolonged
into nve. and the time came whom he
felt he must return to his private af-
fairs in America. His great estate at
Monticello needed his attention.
However, he was soon again recalled
into public life, and he had scarceIy
reached his home when messenger
brought him the invitation from Pres
ident Washington to enter his cabinet
rs Secretary of State. This was the re-
commencement of another term of pub
lie service, which ended in his occu-
pancy of the White House for eight
years and the absolute ruin of his pri-
vate fortune.
After his long term of Office he ar
rived at Monticello to find things in q
sad condition. That Jefferson was lit
orally eaten out of house and home"
IL an acknowledged fact.
The estate was later purchased by
Commodore Uriah Phillips Levy, who
ut once began its restoration in the
most painstaking manner. The beau
tiful rooms were made habita BILE, their
classic lines restored and every effort
was taken that the mansion might as
sumo the state in which Thomas JEFF
ferson had formerly maintained II.
In the state dining room the EXQUISITE
two at either end. was restored bit by
bit until it's classic lines were per-
feet. On the mantel shelf 10 the clock
that Napoleon presented to his brother
Joseph, King of Spain. and the Sevres
vases. Jefferson's study. In which he
did so much of the work that he left
as heritage to humanity. has several
pieces of the original furniture In II
and an atmosphere of quiet and reposs.
i 4
The beds at Monticello were formerly
all built in the wall. and these. too.
have been left. They are not used now
for the purpose for which they were
used for many years. but are arranged
a. closets The one between the rooms
of Mr.. Jefferson and his wife. which 10
unique of its kind. 10 as 1t was. This
bed IL situated in the doorway between
the two chambers. so that Mr.. Jefferson
was practically in his own room and
Mrs. Jefferson in hers.
In the summer of 1928 Lafayette paid
his last visit to Monticello. to bid fare
we'll to his beloved friend. 1t is this
touchingiy describes: The barouche
containing Lafayette stopped at the
end of the lawn. His escort-one hum
dred and twenty mounted men-formed
from the carriage to the house.
crowd Of about two hundred men, who
were drawn together by curiosity to
witness the meeting of two venerable
men, formed themselves in a semi
circle on the opposite side.
AS Lafayette descended from the car
rage Jefferson descended to the steps
of the portico. Jefferson was feeble and
tottering with age. Lafayette perma-
nently lame and in broken health.
"As they approached each other their
uncertain gait quickened itself into a
stunning run. and exclaiming All, JET
ferson- 'Ah, lafayette" they burst into
tears as they fell into each others
arms"
At the death of Commodore Levy he
left the estate of Monticello to his
nephew, Jefferson NJ. Levy. who served
for some time In the lower house OF
Congress- from New York, and who has
expended q large amount OF money In
restoring different parts OF the estate
and in preserving the mansion. Visit
ors to the University of Virginia are
always welcomed to Monticsilo. and are
courteously shown over the place ana
such parts Of the house ~ the family
are not occupying.
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