The portrait of Jefferson is from a painting by Gilbert Stuart, in the possession of his family, and by them considered as the best likeness of him. The portrait of his daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, is from a painting by Sully. The view of Monticello represents the home of Jefferson as it existed during his lifetime, and not as it now is--a ruin. THE AUTHOR. JUNE, 1871. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Jefferson's Birthplace.--Sketch of his early Life.--Character of his Parents.--His Grandfather, Isham Randolph.--Peter Jefferson's Friendship for William Randolph.--Randolph dies, and leaves his young Son to the Guardianship of Jefferson.-- His faithful Discharge of the Trust.--Thomas Jefferson's earliest Recollections.--His Father's Hospitality.--First Acquaintance with Indians.--Life of the early Settlers of Virginia: its Ease and Leisure.--Expense of Thomas Jefferson's early Education.--Death of his Father.--Perils of his Situation.--Letter to his Guardian.--Goes to William and Mary College.--Extract from his Memoir.--Sketch of Fauquier.--Of Wythe Page 17 CHAPTER II. Intense Application as a Student.--Habits of Study kept up during his Vacations.--First Preparations made for Building at Monticello.--Letters to his College Friend, John Page.-- Anecdote of Benjamin Harrison.--Jefferson's Devotion to his eldest Sister.--He witnesses the Debate on the Stamp Act.--First Meeting with Patrick Henry.--His Opinion of him.--His superior Education.--Always a Student.--Wide Range of Information.--Anecdote.--Death of his eldest Sister.--His Grief.--Buries himself in his Books.--Finishes his Course of Law Studies.--Begins to practise.--Collection of Vocabularies of Indian Languages.--House at Shadwell burnt.--Loss of his Library.--Marriage.--Anecdote of his Courtship.--Wife's Beauty.--Bright Prospects.--Friendship for Dabney Carr.--His Talents.--His Death.--Jefferson buries him at Monticello.--His Epitaph 31 CHAPTER III.