narrow curriculum of a
colonial college; study had excited in him that eager thirst for
knowledge which is an appetite of the mind almost as unconquerable
as the appetites of the body.

After leaving college, he remained at Williamsburg, and entered the
office of Mr. Wyeth, a leader at the Virginia bar. Williamsburg was
the capital and the centre of the most refined society of the
province. Francis Fauquier was governor. He was an Englishman, of
distinguished family, who had lost a large property in a single
night's play, and had taken the appointment to Virginia to repair
his fortunes. To some of the vices and most of the accomplishments
of a man of the world he added fine talents and many solid
attainments. He was, withal, a skilful musician and a fascinating
conversationist. Mr. Wyeth, and Dr. Small, professor of mathematics
at the college, were in the habit of dining with the governor at
stated times, for the purpose of conversation. Jefferson, though not
yet twenty years old, was admitted to these parties. Fauquier
organized a musical society, and Jefferson, who played upon the
violin, belonged to this likewise. In these associations, the young
student acquired the easy courtesy and conversational art which
afterwards greatly contributed to his success, and distinguished him
even among the gentlemen of Paris.

His life, between twenty and thirty, was judiciously employed. A
closer student could hardly have been found at Edinburgh or
Heidelberg. He pursued his profession persistently, and, in addition,
made incursions into the fields of _belles-lettres_ and political
and physical science. He early conceived a prejudice against
metaphysical speculation, which was never removed. We cannot believe
that his partiality for romance was much greater. He undoubtedly had
that appreciation of the value of this department of letters which
every man of sense has, and included it within the circle of his
reading because it contains much desirable knowledge. The severest
criticism which can be made upon his taste for poetry is conveyed by
the statement, that, when young, he admired Ossian, and, when old,
admired Moore.

His summers were spent at Shadwell. The responsible charge of a
large estate rested upon him, and he introduced into his affairs and
studies the extraordinary system which, through life, he carried
into all matters, great or small. He commenced keeping a garden-book,
which, with interruptions caused by absen