"Mr. Jefferson thought this would be an admirable position for a
wind-mill; and having recently invented a model for a saw-mill to be
moved by vertical sails, he sent for an engineer and submitted it to
his judgment.
"The man of professional science examined his plan, and listened with
profound attention and deference to Mr. Jefferson's explanations of it,
and to his eloquent illustration of the advantages it would secure.
"He very attentively heard him through, but made no comment upon the
plan.
"'What do you think of my idea?' said Mr. Jefferson.
"'I think it is a most ingenious one,' was the reply, 'and decidedly the
best plan for a saw-mill I have ever seen.'
"Jefferson was delighted, and forthwith entered into a written agreement
for the erection of such a mill on the neighboring height.
"The work went bravely on; the inventor very frequently mounting his
horse, and riding over to see how it proceeded.
"When the frame was up, and the building approached its completion, the
engineer rode over to Monticello to obtain a supply of money, and to get
some directions about the saws.
"Jefferson kept him to dinner; and when the cloth was removed and wine
sat upon the table, he turned to his guest, and with an air of much
satisfaction, exclaimed,
"'And so, Mr.
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