To such depths had he been
brought by colossal egotism. In his earlier years, he had done
distinguished service as a member of the Continental Congress, but his
prestige never recovered from the effect of his conduct during his term
as President, and his last years were passed in retirement. By a
singular coincidence, he and Jefferson died upon the same day, July 4,
1826.
Thomas Jefferson, whose influence is perhaps more generally acknowledged
in the life of the Republic of to-day than that of any other man of his
time, and whose name, Washington's apart, is oftenest on men's lips, was
born in Virginia in 1743, graduated from William and Mary College,
studied law, and took a prominent part in the agitation preceding the
Revolution. Early in his life, owing to various influences, he began
forming those ideas of simplicity and equality which had such an
influence over his later life, and over the great party of which he was
the founder. His temperament was what we call "artistic"; that is, he
loved books and music and architecture, and the things which make for
what we call culture. And yet, with all that, he soon grew wise and
skillful in the world's affairs, possessing an industry and insight
which assured his speedy success as a lawyer, despite an impediment of
speech which prevented him from being an effective orator.
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