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