The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-12-18
Our New York Correspondence.
New YORE. Dec. 10. 1855,

sunbeams, and know that another day OF
beauty, another day Of full glad life is with
MS. Sunlight drives from our hearts all I'm
kind thoughts, all dark memories. How
lavishly hath the All Fathcr cast beauties
and glorie about as this happy season.
Should not SO much love incite to deeds of
beauty, lovingly to aid each other, and make
the world wiser and happier The spirit of
love is never lost; it floats onward, evor pu-
rifying the selfish atmosphere Of the world.
Few things have a happier effect upon So
ciety, at least for the time being, than the
appearance of a truly great poem. 1t calls
Us out from the petty details of life, makes
rs ashamed of all that is sordid in our ma
ture, and awakes the higher and nobier aims
Of our existence. Two such poems have re-
Gently appeared. Longfellow's Hawatha.
which we shall notice elsewhere, and Brown
ing's Men and Women. Robert Browning
has studied deeply the philosophy of life,
and has always deep and high reyealings to
teach. Ii is not every one who feels anu
loves his poetry. Indeed, It's meaning a
first seems shrouded, but careful reading
will discover the beauty and truth hidden b
a somewhat peculiar style. We have not
yet seen this last poem of his, to form an
opinion Of its peculiar merit, but we advise
those unfamiliar with his writings to make
an early acquaintance with his stNien an Wo-
men,
While upon this subject of books, allow
us Il short talk about the Aston Library.
True, it is not new subject, but we have
strong desire to introduce the readers of the
Gate City to one Of our favorite haunts.
Situated between Broadway and the Bowerv,
Lafayette Place, notwithstanding the exam
pic Of its bustling neighbors, retains an ar
lstocratic quletness and plaeidity that rem
ders it fitting place for the great library Of
the city. The outside of the building is
plain and unpretending, yet not devoid of
beauty. Ascending flight Of marble stairs,
yon are at once ushered into the world OF
books. From all sides Of the spacious
apartment they peer pleasantly out from then
enclosures as though inviting you to partake
OF their contents. Everything is exquisitey
clean. The chairs and desks present a mir
ror like surface, and the books will not soil
the most delicate hued glove. The dreamy
quiet that reigus is only occasionally dis
turbed by the rustling of the silks Of some
lady visitor, and the reproachful chances that
the busy students cast at the offender make
one fear that they are confirmed bachelors.
II your business be to consult some form da.
bic folio. or plunge deeply into the Literature
Of bye-gone ages, you find in the Librarian
one Of kindred taste, and abundantlv able to
give you all the information you require.
But all varieties Of less learned reading are
also here field so vast and rich that one il
lost in wonder. We love best to read tn
German authors here, GLORIOUS Schiller and
quaint Jean Paul. The pure, chaste STYLE of
the architecture of the building, and the qu-
ct intellectual faces that surround us, seem
to assimilate themselves with the spirit these
authors breathe. There are other studies
than those Of books to be found here. How
eloquent are the faces of all Some of joy.
some OF sorrow, but all have tale TO tel
peculiarly their own. We recognize the po-
e by the soft speaking eve, now speaking
with light that tells of new thought born
in that teeming brain. See, the sunlight
streams through the curioasly wrought dome
above upon his sunny hair, and the smile
upon his lip tells that the pleasant light is al
50 shining in his heart. The open page be-
fore him cannot chain his attention; bright
dreams are with him, fairy visions beckon
HIM on. Nay he never abuse the bright gift,
entrusted TO his keeping, but use them for
the ennobiing Of mankind and the ending Of
souls to the great fountain Of beauty.
Close by the side of Fancy sits stern Real
lty. Around this face there clusters naught
that is sunny. Genius here scars not accord
ing to will, but is compelled to the sordid
purpose Of grinding bread for it's possessor
Now you behold one whose wasted frame
and pallid face tells you that he is treadng
upon the confines Of the spirit world. lie is
seeking for truth will he find it in those
huge volumes Of Philosophy? Better teach
ers far than these are natures voices. and
better far than even these are the words of
our Savior. Turn to these, earnest seeker.
and the light you desire will come
Here in fair Learning's Temple are assem-
hled all phases of minds, all varieties of
characters and pursuits, yet are their hearts
all beating with the same impulse, the desire
OF Fame. How few will ever realize IT,
There has been much complaint agains. the