150 OLD-FASHIONED GARDENING 
deed from it—an element which he revealed on more 
than one occasion, but never more deliciously, if I mis¬ 
take not, than when as a very youthful and somewhat 
in love young man, he indulges in reflections upon and 
melancholy plans for, his tomb! 
The spot which he will “choose out for a burying 
place” shall be “some unfrequented vale in the park,” 
with a brook only to break the hush which broods over 
it. All around there are to be “ancient and venerable 
oaks,” mingling with “gloomy evergreens.” And in 
the midst of this solemn retreat, in the very center and 
heart of it, he will have a “small gothic temple of 
antique appearance,” one half of which shall be re¬ 
served for his family, while the other is hospitably set 
apart for “strangers”!—and servants. “Pedestals 
with urns and proper inscriptions” shall abound, while 
the grave of a favorite and faithful servant—who for 
some reason fails to get inside—is to be marked with 
a “pyramid of the rough rockstone.” A grotto 
“spangled with translucent pebbles and beautiful 
shells” conforms to the fashion of the hour, and its 
ever trickling stream, mossy couch and sleeping nymph, 
with appropriate mottoes in both English and Latin, 
complete an absurdity which the mature Jefferson must 
have laughed heartily over, I am sure. 
The shrubbery and flowers which he chose and 
planted were so well selected that there was perpetual 
