Tour to the Caves in Virginia* 61 



contains good buildings, and its society is refined. Every where 

 we found hospitality. Desiring to make a short excursion on horse- 

 back, we discovered that all the Rosinantes were engaged by 

 the students. Our wants, however, were no sooner known than 

 supplied, by the polite and voluntary offers of private gentlemen. 

 Immediately after breakfast we set out on a visit to Monticello, 

 the seat of the late Mr. Jefferson, which is built on the summit 

 of a high mountain, distant from Charlottesville about one mile ; 

 but in following the directions of the various windings, to gradu- 

 ate the ascent, it is about three miles ; two mountains nearly 

 join each other, the right hand one is called Carter's moun- 

 tain, that on the left is Monticello; when about two thirds 

 up the mountain, we dismounted in the woods, at the family 

 grave yard, enclosed by an ill-built stone wall, where lies, in 

 obscure repose, the neglected remains of the patriot and philoso- 

 pher ; there are also the graves of several of the family. The 

 whole scenery around this lonely spot, presents a gloomy and a 

 melancholy aspect. We were informed that Mr. Jefferson re- 

 quested on his death bed, (or left a note to that effect,) that all 

 appearance of pageantry, and useless ceremony and display, 

 should be scrupulously dispensed with, on the occasion of his fu- 

 neral. He further requested, that no other memorial should be 

 erected to his memory, than a plain, granite column, with a 

 simple inscription, signifying his having been the author of the 

 declaration of independence — founder of the Virginia University, 

 &c. It appears to most strangers who visit this spot, the most 

 unpardonable neglect, that this last request should not have been 

 immediately attended to. We were informed at Charlottesville, 

 that the mechanics in the vicinity, had offered to complete the 

 work gratuitously, but as yet nothing has been effected, not- 

 withstanding five years have elapsed since the death of Mr. J. 

 The whole establishment of Monticello is rapidly verging toward 

 ruin, and this splendid building, which originally cost, as we 

 were informed, upwards of 50,000 dollars, has actually been of- 

 fered for sale, together with 1,100 acres of land, for the trifling sum 

 of $11,000. In the hall there still stands a column of verdantique, 

 surmounted by a marble bust of Mr. Jefferson by Ceracchi. 



From the summit of this isolated eminence, the views are in- 

 imitably grand and imposing ; the village to the north-west ap- 

 pears at the very foot of the mountain, and the university, which 



