...then professor of mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science [knowledge], with a happy talent of communication, correct and...and of the system of things in which we are placed." As Dr. Small was a skeptic, it may be well to give in Jefferson's own words the latter's religious...

...then professor of mathematics, a man profound in most of the useful branches of science [knowledge], with a happy talent of communication, correct and...and of the system of things in which we are placed." As Dr. Small was a skeptic, it may be well to give in Jefferson's own words the latter's religious...

...talent of communica- DI-. Small's tion, correct and gentlemanly manners, and an enlarged influence upon and liberal mind. He, most happily for me, became...and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed...

...and Mary College, where I continued two years. The learned Dr. Small; the gay and polished Fauquier It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed...and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college and he was appointed...

...him to his own little intellectual circle. From Small's conversation, Jefferson recalled in old age, "I got my first views of the expansion of science,...and of the system of things in which we are placed"; his association with Small, he thought, "probably fixed the destinies" of his life. Clearly Small,...

...then, to wit, in the spring of 1760, went to William and Mary college, where I continued two years. It was my great good fortune, and what probably fixed...and of the system of things in which we are placed. Fortunately, the philosophical chair became vacant soon after my arrival at college, and he was appointed...

...life, that Dr. William Small of Scotland was then Professor of Mathematics, a man profound in the most useful branches of science, with a happy talent of...and of the system of things in which we are placed. Jefferson was to speak of Small as one who was like a father to him, and no doubt the young Scotsman,...

...the best possible kind of learning arrangement Jefferson wrote in his Autobiography that Small had "a happy talent of communication, correct and gentlemanly...and of the system of things in which we are placed." Small opened for Jefferson the world of European intellectual experience. As it happened he came from...

...became an ideal friend. "Most happily for me," Jefferson wrote in his autobiography, Small soon grew "attached to me, and made me his daily companion when...of the system of things in which we are placed." In other words, Jefferson was introduced to the Enlightenment with all the excitement of a Baconian revolution...

...Small, a Scottish professor of mathematics and philosophy. From Small, Jefferson later recollected, "I got my first views of the expansion of science,...and of the system of things in which we are placed." 26 What Small taught Jefferson was the essence of the Scottish Enlightenment—the most advanced thought...