The Upper James 



Tuckahoe only reinforced the impression . . . that Virginia writers, 

 through ignorance, probably, have greatly exaggerated the social 

 splendors of the 'Old Dominion.' " 



And yet, William Ellery Channing, who was a tutor at Tucka- 

 hoe for two years, speaks with pride of the Virginians: "I blush 

 for my own people," he says, "when I compare the selfish prudence 

 of. a Yankee with the generous confidence of a Virginian. . . . There 

 is one single trait which attaches me to the people I live with more 

 than all the virtues of New England. They love money less than 

 we do. Their patriotism is not tied to their purse strings." 



An interesting feature of Tuckahoe is found in the three-foot 

 brick walk, which encircles the house and leads to the outside 

 kitchen, over one hundred feet away, and still in use. The archi- 

 tecture of the house permits courtyards upon the east and west 

 fronts, and, upon either side of these, clumps of boxwood grow as 

 they did years ago, though unrelated as to family and newer as 

 to age. Over the west entrance a gnarled catalpa leans to uphold 

 a crimson rose vine, which makes it look "all rose-tree." Honey- 

 suckle is banked against the brick foundation on the north side; 

 lilies — Hemerocallis fulva — against the south. And to this wing, 

 climbing vigorously to the second-floor windows, cling multiflora, 

 microphylla and pink rambler roses. Nestling against the south 

 steps, an old, red rambler reaches up to the paneled ceiling, which 

 marks this portico as one of the most interesting in the country. 



The present kitchen was, in plantation days, the Master's office, 

 the original kitchen being the small brick building in the rear; and 

 this still has its swinging crane and old Dutch oven. The quarters 

 are still at Tuckahoe, and in excellent preservation. The smoke- 

 house and toolhouse remain as they were, but the icehouse and the 

 weaving-room have gone. 



Flanking the office upon the east is the inconspicuous little 

 building where Thomas Jefferson went to school. Peter Jefferson, 

 father of the second president, in compliance with the dying request 

 of Colonel Randolph, his wife's kinsman, moved to Tuckahoe in 



[117] 



