The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-12-30
HE UNION: WASHINGTON TIL ESDAY MORNING. DEE 80 1851

has been lavshed for idle display 1t has been squan.
defed upon preenuoas structures. when OF il had
better been employed in filling modest and appro,
PIRATE Architecture has frequently been false
to It's chief duty Matter has riumphed mind Oar
children have asked for bread-be bread OF intellectual
lie-and we have given them sroNKs. something still
less desirable
II should ever be borne IN mind that the preservation
oil books and papers from lire requires peculiar precau
tons They are and must be- in themselves extremely
conbustibls.
AS We may not soon resume our pen for this theme we
cannot feel that have uhlled our task without hint
ing at some OF the most important conditions of security
OIL Libraries against hre-some especially OF those most
neglected:
J. ISOLATION Is an important means OF safety. The
proximity of dwelling houses or buildings requiring only
ordinary care, should if possible, be avoided. A library
should on other accounts be by selisublect solely
laws framed Tor its welfare. When, however, il
must be kept in one portion OF building the other apart
mens OF which occupied for other purposes, should
be completely separated from them by thick walls of
stone, or OF brick and by double iron DOORS least
foot from each other. The windows should also be
guarded by sliding iron shutters, they would be exposed
to flames issuing from other buildings incenday pro-
ecles The roof should only be fire proof on the out
sde but should be protected from fires by
being built wholly OF ncombusble materials covered
by such above and shielded by such below. What
chance would there be for saving any part OF library
when the flames were spreading along its roof
insulation OF dlc0ves and sLelvss. Each acove or
range OF shelves should be constructed that the books
in one acove or case might be completely burnt out
without communicating fire TO the next To this end
there should be thick walls OF brick iron between the
acoves. The floor should be ncombustible Wooden
galleries and roofs should be entirely prohibited Pic
ures maps wooden ladders should never be extended
from one book case to another.
g. The Of iron for book cases, shelves, STAIRS gal
lees. and furniture To prevent injury to books from
the deposition OF moisture and from friction upon rough
surfaces, all parts that in contact with the books
should be covered with wooen CLOTH particularly in
warm climates) with leather which is less liable to in
vte harbor insects.
A. The heating apparatus should receive special at.
tention. Warming by hotair furnaces is always I'M
safe for such establishment The accidents which
have recently occurred, where the idea of danger
would have been ridicueJ, should be carefully con-
sidered. In many imaginable ways furnace may be
dangerous when pronounced entirely safe Suppose
lucier match is accidentally dropped it falls upon
newspaper lying upon chair the furnace fue ;
the stream of hot air gntes the match which kindles
the paper and thus the destroying element is quickly
spread One source OF danger from hot air furnaces
which is seldom thought OF, is the facility offered by
the ues for conducting flames from one part of build.
ing to another Fires have thus spread with almost in
conceivable rapidly.
The best mode of heating Libraries is doubtless by
warm water or by steam. The fire in all cases should
be outside of the building and as remote from il as
practicable.
s. Precautions as TO lamps. A large public library
should NEVER be lighted by means OF movable lamps II
studies must be pursued in the evening" let there be- if
possible, separate room, which the books required
during the evening may be carried before dark There
can be no certainty Of safety if lamps are permit.
ted at all At The British Museum a candle is not
allowed even for the sealing OF letter We have
been there when London darkness has settled
down upon the establishment at MONDAY As it
came visers, unable to read, one by one, withdrew
The Librarians, unable TO pursue their work. and forbid
den either to leave the building TO light lamp to aid
them were fam 10 SIT down in groups hours OF
sation in the dark The precautions in this
not adopted without due consideration much discus
SION Whenever it is considered indispensable 10 light
library it should be done by fixed lamps, gas burners
far removed from all books and papers TO be safe
as possible. The lighting and ex,ingushng OF them
should be ntrusled to responsible person Moveabl,
lamps and matches should be positively aud vigorously
prohibited
6. A suitable guard should be organized for all the
public buildings. The wantonness Of Vandalism mus
be restrained. The means OF rescue from casualties
which human foresg prevent, should be amply
provided. This is the dictate of common prudence
In view OF the considerations which we have presented
we ask What is The condition of The STATE Department
and of the parous priceless collections in the Capitol ana
ether public buildings in Washington
II we succeed in directing serious attention this mes
on we shall consider the hour which we have devoted
to ths article well spent-ay, more. shall feel tina
the studies of many years have no, been fruiiless