W CHAPTER VIII MARRIAGE-FAMILY-HOME AT MONTICELLO HILE yet a student of law in Williamsburg, and not arrived at manhood's estate, Mr. Jefferson was first smitten by the blind god of love. He formed an attachment for Miss Rebecca Burwell, a famed beauty of the town, but his dreams were rudely broken by her sudden marriage to another. The obscuring of his bright visions caused more intense application to his books. During the years of study preceding and following this episode, were laid the foundations of that broad and liberal culture that in after life so distinguished the man. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable; in conversation he led the way to the subject with which his companion was most familiar, and by skilful questions and adroit reference obtained information to be treasured and retained for future use. Following this course he became well versed in almost every subject; could discuss mechanics with an engineer, medicine with a physician, law with a lawyer, religion with a clergyman, with a definiteness and comprehension that led each to believe him a member of the same profession. Perhaps no man. was more strongly attached to home, or took greater delight in the society of friends. Between himself and his elder sister, Jane, there was much in common. Both were possessed of intellectual abilities far above the common, and each found in the other's society mental stimulus. Both were devoted to music, and spent many evenings in the singing of hymns. The death of the sister, in the fall of 1765, at the age of twenty-eight, fell heavily upon Jefferson, who ever cherished her memory, frequently in after life speaking to his grand-children with affection, of her early influence in the formation of his character. His second affair of the heart resulted far differently from the first. He made the acquaintance of Mrs. Martha Skelton, the young widow of Bathurst Skelton, and daughter of John Wayles, a lawyer of extensive practice but of ordinary abilities. Mrs. Skelton was but twenty-three years of age, beautiful in character as she was in personal appearance, surrounded by suitors for her hand and her not inconsiderable fortune. With a cultivated talent for music, her charms were irresistible to Jefferson, and she was no less attracted by the noble manhood of her suitor, coupled with his intellectual attainments. Their marriage took place January 1, 1772, and after the festivities that followed, the young couple set out upon the long and tedious journey to Monticello. Less than a year after marriage their eldest daughter, Martha, was born, and two years later Jane, who died when eighteen months of age. Then followed four others, of whom Maria only survived. The health of Mrs. Jefferson had been visibly declining previous to the birth of her last child, and caused Mr. Jefferson much anxiety. This it was that prevented his acceptance of a mission to France in the early part of the war of the revolution. Mrs. Jefferson died September 6, 1782, leaving three children, one an infant, to the care of her husband. Mr. Jefferson was prostrated with grief, and it was weeks before he regained his self-control. Two years later, during his absence in Europe, occurred the death of his infant child, Lucy, After the death of his wife he devoted much care and attention to the edu. cation of his daughters, with whom he constantly corresponded during his frequent absences from home. These letters are filled with fatherly solici tude and love, and were written to encourage them in study and improvement. When at home he made them his daily companions, and while entering into their childish joys and sorrows, led them to habits of thought that tended to the development of their mental capacities, and the acquirement of knowledge that proved a source of enjoyment during life. In the fall of 1780 Mr. Jefferson returned from his mission to France, and was called to President Washington's cabinet. He spent a few weeks at Monticello, and while there had the pleasure to see his eldest daughter, Martha, married to Thomas Mann Randolph, a son of Randolph of Tuckahoe, and a young man of ability, possessed of an exceptionally good education, obtained at the University of Edinburg. He was a man of wealth, fine figure and commanding appearance, and afterward served in the legis lature and as governor of the state. Maria Jefferson was married on the 13th of October, 1797, to John Wayles Eppes, her second cousin. She became the mother of several children, and died April 17, 1804. Her death was a severe affliction to her father. In his habits Mr. Jefferson was methodical. He was always an early riser, and seldom, indeed, was any one who called to see him on business obliged to await his coming. In his connection of nearly twenty years as overseer, Captain Edmund Bacon says he but twice saw him idle in his room, and on both these occasions he was suffering from illness. He was a close and indefatigable student. Seldom was he without a book or pen in his hand when in his room. His daughter, Mrs. Randolph, was very over. like him. These two would sit for hours, he engaged in reading and study; she at her work. In temper he was quiet and evenly balanced. A careful watch was always kept over himself, and when anything went amiss it was taken as a matter that was unavoidable and not worth worrying His domestic relations were particularly pleasant. The early death of his wife, whom he almost idolized, was a great shock to him. On her death-bed she was much disquieted over the thought that another might take her place who would not be a mother to her children. Mr. Jefferson clasped her hand in his own, and solemnly promised never again to marry. This promise he sacredly kept, though he might at any time have married well. The home at Shadwell was destroyed by fire February 1, 1770, his small but cherished library being consumed at the time, the servants setting greater value on his fiddle, which was carefully preserved. Although much interested in music, his books were treasures he could ill spare, and no time was lost in replacing them. Some time previously he had begun building at Monticello, and fortunately the house was in condition for occupancy at the time Shadwell was burned. Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, is situated on the summit of a little mountain, forming part of the southwest range of the Alleghanies, and commands an extensive view of the country, except to the northeast and southwest, this being the direction of the range. Twenty miles distant to the south is seen the Blue ridge, the course being visible many miles to the northeast, until it seems to terminate in the distance. The mountain on which is situated the residence, is in the form of a sugarloaf. A road winds around its side to the summit. On the very top the forest trees were removed, and ten acres of ground leveled, the remainder being left in its rugged state, except on the south, where a spot was cleared for a kitchen garden. The house is a long building of moderate height, with a Grecian portico in front and an octagonal tower. The preparation of ground for a garden was attended with much labor. It was arranged in terraces, the rock being blasted for the walls, and then covered with soil. In this garden were grown many and choice varieties of vegetables and fruit. Mr. Jefferson took much pride in his farm and garden. While in Washington, each season he procured plants, cuttings, and seeds from the greenhouse of Mr. Maine, besides receiving many from foreign countries. Professor Tucker, in his Life of Jefferson, says: "The entrance from the portico was into a saloon decorated on either side with horns of elk, moose, and deer, Mexican antiquities, Indian dresses, weapons, and ornaments, together with three or four pieces of statuary. At the farther end of this hall were glass folding doors, which opened into an octagonal drawing-room, and through the windows at the farther or west end was seen a lawn of about two acres, skirted with forest trees, both native and |