Happy Life at Monticello.--Jefferson's fine Horsemanship.--Birth of his oldest Child.--Goes to Congress.--Death of his Mother.-- Kindness to British Prisoners.--Their Gratitude.--His Devotion to Music.--Letter to General De Riedesel.--Is made Governor of Virginia.--Tarleton pursues Lafayette.--Reaches Charlottesville.--The British at Monticello.--Cornwallis's Destruction of Property at Elk Hill.--Jefferson retires at the End of his Second Term as Governor.--Mrs. Jefferson's delicate Health.--Jefferson meets with an Accident.--Writes his Notes on Virginia.--The Marquis De Chastellux visits Monticello.--His Description of it.--Letter of Congratulation from Jefferson to Washington.--Mrs. Jefferson's Illness and Death.--Her Daughter's Description of the Scene.-- Jefferson's Grief. Following the course which I have laid down for myself, I shall give but a passing notice of the political events of Jefferson's life, and only dwell on such incidents as may throw out in bold relief the beauties and charms of his domestic character. Except when called from home by duties imposed upon him by his country, the even tenor of his happy life at Monticello remained unbroken. He prosecuted his studies with that same ardent thirst for knowledge which he had evinced when a young student in Williamsburg, mastering every subject that he took up. Much time and expense were devoted by him to ornamenting and improving his house and grounds. A great lover of nature, he found his favorite recreations in out-of-door enjoyments, and it was his habit to the day of his death, no matter what his occupation, nor what office he held, to spend the hours between one and three in the afternoon on horseback. Noted for his bold and graceful horsemanship, he kept as riding-horses only those of the best blood of the old Virginia stock. In the days of his youth he was very exacting of his groom in having his horses always beautifully kept; and it is said that it was his habit, when his riding-horse was brought up for him to mount, to brush his white cambric handkerchief across the animal's shoulders and send it back to the stable if any dust was left on the handkerchief.