The New York herald., 1851-09-27
AFFAIRS OF THE CITY AND VICINITY.


.~>>~~>~~~~~~>>~os>>oo1s
The Astor Library IN Lafayette Place.
About three years and half ago, the sum OF four
hundred thousand dollars left, by the late John
Jacob Astor, for the purpose Of establishing and
building public library in this city. lie appointed
the Mayor Of the city Of New YORK and tho Chan
eellor OF the State (or the tins beng), Washington
Irving, William B. Astor, Daniel Lord, Jr, James
'G. Hing, Joseph G. Cogswell, Henry Brevoort, Jr
Samuel Ward, Charles Bristcd, Samuel .Rugglss,
and Fitz Greene Hallsck his trustees for carrying
the object into effect. These gentlemen accord
ingly held meeting the twentieth Of May, 1917,
and accepted their trust, and unanimoasly APP
pointed Joseph G.. Cogswel to be superintendent
of the library. The bequsst was to be applied as
follows Seventy five thousand dollars for the erec-
tion Of the building, one hundred aud twenty thou
sand dollars for the purchase of books and rare
manuscripts, and the surpius-two hundred and Ave
thousand dollars, after paying for the site-to bo
invested as fund for the support and increase Of
the library.
In the month o. September, 1913, the trustees de-
cided upon the present site, as on, in every way
adapted for the purpose, afording, from its si.ua-
tion-thst remoteness from the public thorough
fare 50 necessary to secure qaio.ness during the
time of study. In the following month the super
low trustees to proeed to Europe. and purchase, at
his discretion, books to the amount of twenty thou
sand dollars. He accordingly wont, and the result
has been most satisfactory, his purchases having
been selected with care and discretion, and obtaiae
at low rates, consequent the disturbed political
condition of Europe in the year 1913, and the re
duction of prices attendant thereon. The plans
for the building executed by Mr.. Saetzsr, tn,
~ irrr N ata al
upon.
The following description will e read with inte-
rest:-
The building is G, instructed after the style of th
byzantine school Of architecture The first story
and part Of the second bal Of brown stone, the
columns architraves Of Windows the cornice, para,
pet and the ornamental work are Of the same mate
rial The height of the front of the building, from
the level Of the side walk up to the top line of the
parapet, is sixty-seyen feet and half; the length
one hundred and twenty-five feet, and breadth sixty.
five feet. The ascent to the entrance will be, by
six stone steps to brown stone platform into the
front yestibuie, ornamented on either side By
stone sphynx, from thence to flight OF thirty-two
marble steps, eight feet in BREADTH leading to the
Library Hall foor upon approaching the summit of
these steps, the vster finds himself near the centre
of an i'm nense acove, encirled by fourteen piers
formed Of brick, plastered and finished to resemble
white marble, and supporting galleries Of iron,
midway between the floor aud the ceiling. The
side walls form continued row Of shelving and
book cases, estimated to cost twelve thousand Eve
hundred dollars, and capable of containing one
hundred thousand volumes They are reached by
means Of the main gallery, in 5tion with which
are tour non spiral stairways, and an Intervening
gallery Of lighter and smaller description, con-
nected by eight saircases with the main gallery.
The whole are arranged and appropriately orna-
mented in style CORES ponding with the archtec-
tuIe Of the building. Above the floor Of the main
hail. at elevation of fifty two feet is the princi
pal sky light, fftyfo feet long and fourteen feet
broad, formed Of thick glass, set in iron. Besides
these there are circular side skylghts of smaller
dimensions All neeGful light is furnished
by these, and by the windows in the front
and rear walls. Thorough ventilation has been
secured by iron fretwork in suitable portions
OF the ceiling. In the extreme rear are the two
rooms for the librarian to which access Is had by
means Of the main galleries The first aoor contains
tibules communicating, and viii accommodate Eve
hundred persons. The latter on each side Cfthe
building, and separated from the library hall
stairway at the front entrance by two corridors,
leading to the vestibule, aud thence to the lec
.ure f0on, still further in the
The basement story is archet with coin arches, so
rs to render them freproof, and contains the keep
ors' rooms, cellars, coal vaults, air furnaces, &c
The whole building will be lighted by FIVE hun
jred gas lights, and is the rst Of such considerable
extent, that has ever been called at once into ex
istence. That of Gottipgen, the nearest parallel
was founded more than century ago, when the
whole number of printed books was less than half
the present mum Der.
TIE library will be arranged after the most APP
proved European system, and should il equal that
ofGottingen in completeness and excellence, IL will
bo q credit to the new world.