New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-12-26
The Washington Fire.

Tile National Infelhgencer Of Yesterday
saws
I'VE have stated that about thirty-fve thousand
volumes OF books were destroyed this IS estimated
from the supposed number saved, which Is twenty
thousand the original contents Of the Library being
about ffty-fve thousand volumes In all The coa-
tents only OF the principal hall were consumed, the
north room and Law Library not having been Wis
tied by the FIRE, owing to the thickness Of the inter
yening walls
Besides the books, number Of superior paint
nes, hanging around the Library walls and bet"eeIs
the alcoves. were included in the deStru ctlOn Of
these we can call to mind Stuart's paintings OF the
first five Presidents an original portrait OF Ooilm-
bus second portrait Of Columbus an original
portrait Of PeytOn Randolph portrait OF Bolivar
portrait Of Baron Steuben by Pyne, an English
artist Of merit one Of Baron De halD one Of Cor
teZ and one Of Judge Hanson, Of Maryland. pre-
scented 10 the Library byshis family. Between eleven
and twelve hundred bronze medals of the Waite
mare exchange, some OF them more than ten centu-
ries old and exceedingly perfect are among the
yaluables destroyed. OF the statuary burnt ans rem
dered worthless, TecOllect statue Of Jefferson
an Apollo IN bronze by Mills very superior
bronze likeness OF Washington bust of Gen. Tay
Tor by an Italian artist and bust OF La Fayette by
DAVID.
We have only heard of three books saved from the
principal Library, namely, the Librarians Regis
ter an account book, and an odd volume o. Lord
krngsbury's magnificent york on the Antiquities OF
Mexico.
The Republic Of yesterday says The library. situ-
ated in the of the westfront, constructed
with great taste and beauty. The room, 90 feet IN
length "a in width, and &c III height having acoves
over which ere two galleries extending throughout
the apartment The room was handsomely orna-
mented, and the light admitted both from ample
windows and from three skylightS above. Paintings,
marble busts, and cabinets part of the a.trac
tons. in addition TO the elegant fohos of colored
Prints and a choice collection OF books, gathered
from all civilized countries, and from inter
national exchanges One of the cabinets had
recently been placed III the library. The frame
work was of mahoga any. and in tn. maple panels
covered with glass, were inserted chOise bronze
medals commemorative Of events IN ancient times,
and which were deposited through the agency Of
NJ. Va,temare.
Mr.. JeffeTSol's library, embracing about 1909 vol
umes, was purchased in 1915 for $4,000 aud this,
we believe, formed the nucleus of the IS 600 vol
umes which have since accumulated. Congress has,
for of years annually appropriated $4,000 or
So coo for the purchase of books and papers and {
estimated that these have cost the Government, IN
ADDITION to the Jefferson purchase, about $2O0OOO.
There can scarcely be doubt that an investigl-
ton will be made as 70 the origin of the fire. about
which there are conflicting opinions.
Telegraphic dispatches, learn, were sent 20 fre
companies in Baltimore to hold themselves IN rea IL
to come hither IN special train of cars should
their services be required but Subsequently their
aid was deemed TO be unnecessary.