. Historic Virginia homes and churches . with every individual of her acquaintance. Herquick recognition of persons; her recurrence to their pecul-iar interests produced the gratifying impression in eachand all of those who conversed with her that they wereespecial objects of regard. Says the same writer: Hersnuffbox had a magic influence—for who could partakeof its contents offered in a manner so gracious and retaina feeling inimical to its owner. As Madison himself wasa genial host and delightful talker it is easy to imaginehow charming must have been the life at fair INIontpelier,which, lik
. Historic Virginia homes and churches . with every individual of her acquaintance. Herquick recognition of persons; her recurrence to their pecul-iar interests produced the gratifying impression in eachand all of those who conversed with her that they wereespecial objects of regard. Says the same writer: Hersnuffbox had a magic influence—for who could partakeof its contents offered in a manner so gracious and retaina feeling inimical to its owner. As Madison himself wasa genial host and delightful talker it is easy to imaginehow charming must have been the life at fair INIontpelier,which, like so many Virginia homes, was a seat of hos-pitality. One wing of the house was occupied by the mother ofthe president, and there the venerable dame, attended byher old family servants, constantly visited by her childrenand grandchildren and tenderly ministered to by herdaughter-in-law, the engaging Dolly, preserved the cus-toms and habits of an earlier generation. One who visitedher there draws a striking picture of her at the age of. PIEDMONT AND THE SOUTH SH)E 889 ninety-seven, placidly enjoying the evenintr of her longlife and always busy, either knitting or reading from herfaAorite books— large, dark and worn quartos and foliosof most venerable appearance, which were kejjt upon atable by her side. JNIuch has been said and written about the mother ofWashington: tridy does it seem that this motlier ofMadison must have been a woman worth knowing in hertime and keeping in remembrance after. ^Vhen he was about sixty-six years old, INIadison retiredfrom public life and spent his last nineteen years in theenjoyment of his country home, happy in his agriculturalinterests, his books, his friends, and his and Jefferson were intimate friends, and jNlonticelloand JNIontpelier were not too far apart for their mastersto exchange frequent visits. Madison died at Montpelier on June 28, 1836, agedeighty-five, and he and his wife are buried there, side byside. A handso
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