Calvert of Strathore | Page 8

present state of politics in France with
which he wished to become acquainted before presenting himself at the
French court, and which Lafayette, but lately returned from France,
could amply furnish him. And after business should have been finished,
Mr. Jefferson was looking forward with keen delight to all that the
observant, cultured young nobleman might have to tell him of the
progress in the Parisian world of sciences, art, and music (for Mr.
Jefferson was an amateur of music), and of those adventures which had
attended his triumphal return to America. 'Twas at General
Washington's invitation that Monsieur de Lafayette was re-visiting,
after only three years' absence, the greatful states where he had first,
and so gloriously, embarked in the cause of liberty, and the warmth of
his welcome at Mount Vernon--where indeed Mr. Jefferson's note,
inviting him to Monticello, reached him--would alone have repaid him
for the long journey had all other honors been denied him. But his
progress through the states had been one triumph, marked by lavish
fêtes and civic parades, not so magnificent, it is true, as those tendered

him on his last visit to our country, but still forming an almost
unparalleled tribute of affection and respect from a nation to an
individual. Young men of the highest position and family attached
themselves to his retinue and rode with him from city to city, leaving
him only to be replaced by other friends and enthusiastic admirers.
Even as Mr. Jefferson stood upon the portico of Monticello, Monsieur
de Lafayette was approaching, with his escort, riding hard and joyfully
in the gathering twilight to reach there in time to see his illustrious
friend before he should set out for Boston.
In the meantime guests were arriving rapidly, horseback or in
handsome, high-panelled coaches drawn by four horses (such as
Colonel Cary of Ampthill boasted), and the negro grooms were busy
stabling them. In the house servants were moving about, lighting the
fragrant wax candles of myrtle-berry and seeing to the comfort of the
guests. The narrow stairway could hardly accommodate the rustling,
voluminous brocades that swept up and down them above the clicking,
high-heeled shoes and dainty, silver-clocked stockings. But there was
room for all in the beautiful octagonal hall, thirty feet square, and in the
long saloon parlor, the cost of whose inlaid satin and rosewood floor
had somewhat scandalized Mr. Jefferson's less wealthy and less artistic
neighbors.
It were hard indeed to get together a gathering of more beautiful
women or more courtly, distinguished gentlemen than was assembled
that evening at Monticello. Among the latter were many of those men
who had helped to make America what she was; lawgivers, soldiers,
tried statesmen who had been of that famous Congress of '75, of which
my Lord Chatham, in a burst of uncontrollable enthusiasm, had
declared that "its members had never been excelled in solidity of
reasoning, force of sagacity, and wisdom of conclusion."
The Virginia beauties, if less modish and extravagant, as a rule, than
the belles of Philadelphia and New York, yielded to none in aristocratic
loveliness and grace and dignity of bearing. In the eyes of Mr. Jefferson
their very naturalness made them more attractive, and perhaps it was
for her sweet freshness and shy beauty that he gave the palm of

loveliness to Miss Molly Crenshawe, who had ridden over on a pillion
behind her brother from her father's neighboring estate of Edgemoor,
attended by young Carter of Redlands, who was never far away from
her if he could help it. A less partial judge than Mr. Jefferson, however,
would have found it hard to decide that she was more lovely than her
dearest friend, the bewitching Miss Peggy Gary, who had driven over
early in the day from Ampthill with her father, Colonel Archibald
Gary.
Talking and laughing, the two young girls rustled down the stairs and
across the broad hall to the entrance of the saloon parlor, where Mr.
Jefferson and his sister, the lovely widow Carr, were standing, greeting
their guests. The courtesies which the young ladies swept their host and
hostess were marvels of grace and dexterity, and were noted with
approval by the young gentlemen who lined the walls or talked to the
ladies already foregathered. Some of those same young gentlemen
fairly rivalled the ladies in richness of attire, following the elaborate
fashions of dress which General Washington had encouraged by his
own example. For the most part they were the sons of wealthy farmers
and planters, shorn perhaps of some of their pre-Revolutionary
splendor, but still aristocrats in bearing and feeling; young sporting
squires who indulged in cock-fighting and horse-racing; rising lawyers,
orators, all bearing the marks of good birth and good breeding.
Among the crowd of gayly dressed young gentlemen was one who was