Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-01-20
The Astor Library.


We find the following description of this magnif.
cent structure in the Journal of Commerce:
1t is in the Byzantine order of architecture and
is we'll adapted to the purpose for which it was de-
signed. Upon entering the vestbuIe the visitor as
cends broad staircase of thirty six marble steps,
fanked with walls of solid masonry finished in im-
taon of marble. When at I top, he finds himself
in the centre of the library hall, (Which is loo by
64 feet on The floor, and SO feet in height) and be-
meath is spacious dome, formed of large panes of
curved glass: AT either end of the hall are large
windows so that the apartment is thoroughly lighted
in every part To the right and left are ranges of
columns, serving to divide the sidewalks each into
several alcoves, and to support the roof; and mid
way between the floor and ceiling these acoves are
divided into stories making in ALL twenty Eight diff
ferent apartments, each fifteen by twelve feet A
contiXuous corridor, extending along the WALL con-
meets them with each other in the rear The upper
and lower sizes exactly correspond, every alcove be-
ing surrounded. at point half way to the ceiling,
/ with light iron gallery: supported by ornamented
iron brackets afording easy to all the volumes
AT suitable distances the lower acoves are furnished
with spiral saircases of iron work. for reaching the
upper tier. There is also light wire railing on the
main floor, provided with small gates, which may be
used TO exclude intruders from the alcoves. Just
without the railing, long sIdetabes, for volumes
in Such volumes are desired by individuals
will first be found by them on the catalogue, and then
procured by the assistant librarian Under no cir
cumstances will it be permitted to remove books from
the building'
The Times says; The nheving of the Astor H.
brary is about 1000 feet, two miles long, and
would reach, if placed in continuous line, from the
Park to Union Place. That of the British museum
is over fourteen miles long, and would reach from
the Battery to Kings bridge, The books are ar
ranged in alcoves, in each of which is placed table
for the accommodation of visitors. The books will
be handed down by assistant librarians, and are not
to be taken from the building. Arrangements are
made, we believe, tor the accommodation of ladies
The Mirror says: This collection of books made
BY the librarian, Mr. Cogswell, during the last four
years. will be opened to the public Monday, Jan
uary 9. The number of volunteers is about 80, 900
and is expected to reach I00,0 ,000 when the entire
sum appropriated by Mr.. Astor shall have been ex-
pended.
PRINCE ALBERT AND HIS RUSSIAN TENDENc1Es.-
! The London Daily News gives promnency in its
columns to a communication headed Painful
Rumors about Prince ALBEIT This writer says that
the impression, the suspcion the persuasion, the
apprehension, the beIief-for it takes a great va
riey of forms that the Prince Consort has recently
respassed into the bounds Of political affairs is now
so general. that 1t is impossible any longer to con-
fine ii TO conversation. go where you will into
good or bad society, amongst rich poor, the feel
ing or the fear that it is the court, and rot the re-
sponsible ministers of the crown who are giving the
impetus and the tone TO the foreign policy of England
is now topic of conversation. People cannot ge
rid Of apprehension that something is going very
wrong in this the highest quarter of the state con
fdence in the Prince is giving way and instead o
popularity, resentment seems to me very likely t.
take possession of the public mind Nor is it il
political affairs only that his Royal Highness is &C
cused of meddiing in and marrying. In the army
also. he is said to be interfering and the recen
scandals at the Horse Guards openly and loudl.
ascribed to him" The writer proceeds to argue
that The Coburg family, constantly visitn!
the British court, thoroughly Russian in thei
associations That Lord PaImerstOn resigned becaus
the court influence was against him and that Lore
Aberdeen IS in the cabinet for the sole reason tina
he represents the Prince Consor's views of foreig
policy.
The DANGERS OF lNFENcY-The two serpents tha
Hercules strangled in his cradle were couple @
bottles of Dafys Elixir and Godfrey's Cordial. !
he hadn't killed them they would have killed him.