Monticello: Jefferson Quotations 
1785. "I am savage enough to prefer the woods, the wilds, and the indepenance of Monticello, to all the brilliant pleasures of this gay capital [Paris] . . . . for tho' there is less wealth there, there is more freedom, more ease, and less misery." (TJ to Baron Geismar, 6 September, B.8.500)
1786.
"And our own dear Monticello, where has nature spread so rich
a mantel under the eye? mountains, forests, rocks, rivers. With
what majesty do we there ride above the storms! How sublime to
look down into the workhouse of nature, to see her clouds, hail,
snow, rain, thunder, all fabricated at our feet! And the glorious
Sun, when rising as if out of a distant water, just gilding the
tops of the mountains, and giving life to all nature!" (TJ to
Maria Cosway, 12 October, B.10.447)
1787. "I am as happy no where else and in no other society, and all my wishes end, where I hope my days will end, at Monticello. Too many scenes of happiness mingle themselves with all the recollections of my native woods and fields, to suffer them to be supplanted in my affection by any other." (TJ to George Gilmer, 12 August, B.12.12)
--Kristen K. Onuf, Monticello Research Department, 4 June 1993
Pictured: Aerial view Monticello's West Lawn and house; photographed by Leonard Phillips