The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-01-12

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reading here come for purpose, and
the results Of their researches are ID the
most cases to be made public. Amer
lean and foreign authors are frequently
seea acre, and proof Of the perfection
ofthe system used ia arranging fhs
books i the fact that any Que asking
for book is supplied with it within
FIVE minutes if the book required is in
the library. In the British Museum
50 much '.red tape" is necessary before
a reader can receive what he wants,
that half hour is always CONSUMED
before he is given the work he wishes.
If possible, il would be curious to
trace the tastes aud IN ntal bent Of prom.
neut members of Congress by the val.
umes credited to them during the ses-
sion, but the list Of books placed to the
account Of one of these would give a
false notion of his pursuit, owing to
those three open alcoyes, where his wife,
daughters, or sisters may bury them
selves in romance and engulf his inno-
ceut name in whirlpool of sentimental
trash The honorable gentlemen who
draw books for their own use are com
paratively few. The readers or students
at the present time are not numerous 10
House or Senate.
The operation of the Copyright law
throws into the library of Congress
Heterogeneous mass. Copyrighted works
heretofore piled in the store rooms Of
the Interior Department are now IN
process of removal to the Capitol, and
will be for the first time calalogued and
prepared for the public use. With the
trash and works of NC value, come as
well the original editions Of all Amer-
lean authors, and ample compensation
for the space accorded to useless or
purposeless works is the possession az
copies OF the original issue Of the ear.
liest publications Of our more eminent
poets and writers-W Whittier, Longfel-
low, Irving, Lowell, for example.
The very valuable COLLECTIONS of books
a lded at various times to this library
have been the Jefferson law library, sold
by lis founder during his lifetime, be.
cause Of pecuniary embarrassment The
library of the Smithsonian Institute,
aud the Peter Force library. This last
collection depends fer its yalpe mainly
on its wealth of political and historical
works relating to America.
The law library ia placed 10 the room
used by the United States Supreme
Court from 1915 to 1861. This fact
aloue gives interest to the room, because
Of its many valuable historical associa,
tons. 1t 10 a strangc-appearing room,
semi-ciFcplar in form, seventy five feet
in diameter, With grained ceiling. The
collection of lay books here found, has
few rivals in the world There are 81
270 volumes, Of which 639 belong to
the Jefferson collection. There are 300
volumes containing single trials. Two
different editions Of the celebrated trial
of Rohan, La Motto, aud Cagliostro, are
shown This trial is otherwise known
as that Of TIE " Coiii.r dc Ia Rene" or
"Qaeene's Necklace" and the history
is given Of that famous diamond neck
lace, which, 10 reality, was one Of the
causes Of the bloody revolution OF 1889.
One of the volumes is an original edi-
ton, published while the trial was in
progress the other is later work, aud
gives an engraving OF the fatal necklace,
10 which the diamonds are represented
Us one third their actual size. It is
beautifully designed ornament in ap-
pearance. 1t was cruelty designed
one in reality, when every brilliant rep;
resented Of drop of life blood from the
lovely throat it was ment to encirclc
Unhappy Marie Antoinette
A queer little book with two most
comical Illustrations, better as burlcsques
in their very seriousness than any Carl
catures could have been. A volume
containing the trial Of Richard johnson,
self-styled King of the United States,
England aud Rome" who attempted 10
assassinate Andrew Jackson when Pres.
ident. The funeral ceremonies Of w.
K. Davis, member Of Congress from
South Carolina, had just taken place at
the Capitol, and the President with
Secretary Woodbury. and other officials
was about leaving the building when
Lawrence discharged pistol at the
Chief Magistrate. The scen6e Of cou-
fusion which onsued is charmingly car.
featured by the artist, who makes the
Administration execute a rigid war
dance with uplifted cane, while his de-
voices hold Lawrence prone uron tho
floor, and Van Buren,, in mild compla,
ceucy, shippers in the back ground.
The illustration on the title page, re-
presenting Lawrence taking aim, has
been faithfully reproduced 10 the signs
Of all modern shooting galleries. Law
renee was maniIestly insaqe, and was
after his trial sent to the asylum nea,
Washington, Of which he was one oi The
first inmates.
DIsISrEcrASrs.- Many mistake n
confounding this class Of medical appli