Page:The Homes of the New World- Vol. III.djvu/334

Rh house, now unoccupied, is very much neglected and is evidently falling to decay. The internal decoration indicated a man who was not very much attached to republican simplicity in his own person. One saloon with an inlaid floor was a magnificent room. But I seemed to miss on all sides the appearance of comfort, the appearance of a light and pleasant home.

Jefferson was the friend of Thomas Payne, and like him, was an Atheist, and his habits testified of a man of lax morality. His portraits and bust present the physiognomy of a man of an energetic but disquiet life; they express a combative character, obstinate, and extremely irritable if opposed; for the rest, active, cheerful, and communicative. The forehead is broad rather than lofty. There is none of Washington's calmness and nobility. Jefferson loved his country and guided its efforts for freedom to its outbreak in that grand act, the Declaration of Independence, which was the product of the spirit of the time and the people, rather than of his brain and pen.

From Monticello I saw the sun descend in beauty as it released itself from obscuring clouds; a sunset more like Washington's than Jefferson's evening of life.

Wandering in the park I noticed that extremely delicious odour which filled the air, and which I have often perceived in America. I was told that it proceeded from the blossom of the wild vine, which grows luxuriantly here, as it does throughout the whole of the North American States. Nowhere so much as here does the prophecy seem to be fulfilled, of every man sitting under his own vine or fig-tree, and no one making him afraid.

Later in the evening I saw a considerable number of the teachers of the University and their wives, among whom were some very agreeable. The President, Mr. Harrison, with his beautiful meditative eyes, and a quiet excellent manner, pleased me particularly. This University is celebrated for the solidity of the learning which it