Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/251

220 then Spanish Ambassador in Washington, declared that she was fitted to grace any court in Europe, and John Randolph, of Roanoke, was so impressed with the beauty of her mind and character that years after, when her health was proposed at a gentleman's table in Virginia, at a time when "Crusty John" himself was one of her father's bitterest political foes, seconded the toast with the exclamation, "Yes, gentlemen, let us drink to the noblest woman in Virginia." In the spring that followed this winter of memorable pleasures and excitements Mrs. Randolph, with her young family, withdrew from Washington society, and returned to live in the utmost simplicity at her home at Edgehill. It was a glorious time for Mrs. Randolph when, at last, the adored father returned to her, not as President of the United States, on a hurried visit to his home and family, but as a simple country gentleman, who was never again to be deprived of that domestic peace and harmony for which he had sighed so many years. When he came this time the removal to Monticello was permanent. For the remainder of his life Jefferson and his daughter and his daughter's children lived happily on the summit of the little mountain, in the home that was so dear to them all.

Her father's death and the loss also of his home, which came of the too generous hospitality which always existed at Monticello, broke Martha Jefferson's heart. The troubles that followed her husband's death, and the worries and vexations of poverty found her resigned, almost unmoved. She passed her last days in visiting among her children. It was at Edgehill, the home of her eldest son, Jefferson, that she was best contented, because of the proximity to Monticello. From a window of the room that was always reserved for her she could look up through the trees and across the meadow to Monticello. Here, in sight of the loved home, she lived over again in memory the associations and happiness she had once enjoyed.