Before starting our tour of Monticello, I'd like to give you some historical facts that might help you appreciate what you see today even more.
在开始我们的Monticello之旅前，我想给你们一些史实，这会帮助你们更多的欣赏你们今天看到的。
Monticello was the very much loved home of Thomas Jefferson for over fifty years.
Monticello是Thomas Jefferson(托马斯杰斐逊)深沉挚爱了五十多年的家。
Jefferson, who was, of course, President, was also a great reader and language enthusiast.
Jefferson，曾经是，当然了，总统，也是一个很热爱读书的人和语言爱好者。
He read widely on different subjects, including architecture.
他在不同的科目上阅读广博，包括了建筑学。
He wasn't formally trained in architecture, but as a result of his study and observation of other buildings, he was able to help design and build the house.
他在建筑学上没有经过正规培训，但是作为他研究和观察其他建筑的结果，他能够帮助设计和建造房屋。
He chose the site himself, naming the estate "Monticello," which means "little mountain" in Italian.
他自己选择了地点，命名这个地产"Monticello"，这在意大利语中的意思是“小山”。
In fact, many of the ideas behind the design also came from the Italian architect Andrea Palladio, who lived in the sixteenth century and who had a great influence on the architecture of England.
事实上，许多设计背后的理念也是来自于意大利建筑师Andrea Palladio，他生活在16世纪并且他在英国的建筑上有着巨大的影响。
Jefferson, however, ignored one of Palladio's principles, that is, not to build in a high place.
然而，Jefferson，忽略了Palladio的一个原则，既，不在高处建房。
Monticello's elevation made the transportation of what was needed at the house—for example, food—especially difficult.
Monticello的海拔使得房屋中的必需品的运输，比如，食物—极其困难。
But the view from the estate would not be as spectacular if Jefferson had followed Palladio's advice;
但是来自这个地产的景观也就不会如此壮观，如果Jefferson 听从了Palladio的建议。
there really is no boundary between the house and the nature around it, and so Jefferson was able to look out on his beloved state of Virginia from his wonderful vantage point.
在房子和环绕它的大自然之间真的没有界限，所以Jefferson才能够从他绝妙的优势地点面对他所挚爱的佛吉尼亚州。
Now we'll go on to Jefferson's library.
现在，我们将接着去Jefferson的图书馆。
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