I was thiking the same thing. My daughter graduated from Belmont, and many social gatherings are conducted in the house. Belmont is one of those places where eveerything is uphill from wherever you are.

Interesting that Mr. Parker described the capitol, modeled after the Acropolis, as "fireproof". Interesting train of thought.

The description he gave of the cabins and living conditions of the farmers were those around Chattanooga. The surrounding country in that section of Tennessee and north Georgia is all up and down, with very little arable land. Subsistance was truly basic there. Away from settled areas, it's not much different today. Grant called his place Hardscrabble farm, but this area defines the term. I'm surprised Mr. Parker did not mention whiskey stills. They were prevalent in the hills. Stan