The New York herald., 1873-10-02
CONCORD FREE LIBRARY.
Presentation of a Magnificent Gift
to a Literary Town.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS.
A Distinguished Company at the Dedication
Yesterday Addresses BY Mr.. Fred
erick Hudson and Ralph
Waldo Emerson.

CONCORD Mass. Oct I, 1878.
Few events in this ancient and historic town
have been attended with liveer interest than the
one which has been celebrated here to-day. Ordi
nariy the dedication OF a village library in New
England is only OF local consequence, out in q
town OF such literary proclivities and revolution
ary renown as Old Concord such an event may
almost be regarded as Of national interest.
Probably not In the whole country has a
modest village OF $500 inhabitants furnished
so many literary chieftains. They can
almost be counted by the dozens, and
their names and works are famous throughout the
civilized world. Ralph Waldo Emerson Nathaniel
Hawthorne, A. Bronson Olcott, Louisa NJ. Olcott
Julian Hawthorne Mrs. Jane G. Austin, Mrs.
Horace Mann, William +. Claiming, William w.
Wneildon, Frederic Hudson, Rev. Nathaniel Fol-
som, and score OF others are among those who
form the brilliant galaxy OF Concord titerdt. All
OF them have lived and many OF them were born
here; many still lugcr in the charming town, and
the atmosphere and surroundings are so
thoroughly literary that probably the intellectual
mantle of past and present generations will
descend apon those which are to follow.
With such an eminent and characteristic popula.
tion it is appropriate that the town should rejoice
In the model library OF creation. For century or
more 1t has had town library, but 1t has been re-
served Tor the generation OF the present day to
pointments and details. TO
THE LIBERALIrY OF FELLOW TowNsMAN,
as well as to their own literary taste are the cit
Zens indebted Tor the handsome edihce just COM
pleted and to-day dedicated with such imposing
ceremonies. The benelactor is Mr.. William Munroe,
"a native and citizen and an old retired mer-
chant OF the Bostonian stripe. lie conceived the
idea OF such monument to his memory and has
personally superintended Its erection, from the
laying OF the corner stone to its final completion,
and this afternoon he formally turned 1t over to
the town, and with 1t a und OF $4,000, the inter-
est on which VIII be sufficient 10 forever keep the
property in good condition Some idea Of the ee-
gance OF the building and Its furnishings may be
formed when 1t Is stated that the total cost has
elevated central portion OF triangular piece OF
ground or nearly an acre In extent, at the Juno.
tion OF sudbury and Main streets and the entrance
is approached by three broad &nd handsomely
gravelled walks-one from the front and one on
either side
VIEW FROM THE FRONT
suggests group OF buildings rising successfully
one above the other. II has frontage Al feet wide
and 81 feet deep, with walls IA feet high to the
caves, and root rising feet more to the ridge.
Behind this is seen the wall Of the book room, ~
above it, and the ROOF rising by two angles 10 ieet
above the caves. Still behind this rises tower 45
feet high, surmounted by splre, the whole height
of which from the ground is about So ieet This
tower forms central projection on the western
exterior facade, and recess in the interior
OF the main room. The northerly and southerly
ends OF this main part OF the building face sever
ally on the two streets, and each divided into
three angles winch rise above the caves and ter
inmate IN gables at the height OF 3S feet. The spire
and roofs are covered with blue, red and green
slate, disposed ornamentaly. The materials used
In the walls are dark faced brick laid black NOR
tar. with tasteful Introduction OF black brick
about the windows and elsewhere ornamentally
the corners OF numerous angles are capped with
drab sandstone, which has also been used
for window sis, and In bands enclrciing the build
ing IN lines parallel with its oase which Is Of gran
ite. The resulting efiect is sober tone, encourag-
ing fancy that the building may have been
standing already many years. The architects say
n.
tended to adapt
THE PICTURESQUE FEATURES OF MEpIAEyAL ARcuI.
LECTURE
to the requirements and construction OF this nine-
teenth century. The extreme exterior dimensions
substantial wrought iron fence resting on gran
lite base.
THE INTERIOR OF THE LIBRARY
combines beauty and convenience in every depart
ment The greatest length OF the main hall lies
across the approach from the corridor. The room
measures so by 80 feet, but the effect is that OF q
larger room, Tor opposite to and facing the en-
trance IS a recess y feet wide, II feet deep and
posite to It, over the entrance, is similar re-
cess. On the main moor ornamental book
case cases project iron from those pilasters, into
floor may, by q little crowding. be made @
to reach about 20, 900 volumes. The first gallery
feet above the Ioor affords access to shelving upon
1t that occupies the walls around the entire room
and the recesses and also to two rooms Tor dup.
cate books and pamphlets. over the ofices and
room The capacity OF this gallery is
1l000 volumes The second gallery, 11Is feet above
the floor, does not cross the central window at
either end OF the room, and the wall space upon 1t
being broken by the principal windows which rise
from IT there is room Tor 1900 or 1000 volumes
only. Thus
THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF THE BUILDING
Is not tar from $4,000 volumes. The interior wood
finish, OF which there is very little the noors
are OF brown ash. The ceilings are painted a low
tone OF blue, the walls pale myrtle, and the
pilasters, mouldings and cornices SOFT tones OF
brown. The eject IS quiet and agreeable. A read
ing room Tor the general public Is supplied with
all modern conveniences, and the walls OF this, as
well as the other apartments are adorned with
rare and ancient pictures.
WORKS OF CONCORD AUTHORS.
Last May the library comprised only 6,s00 vol
umes: now 1t contains 10, 200 volumes and many OF
the works recently added are rare and costly
There Is one department set apart exclusively for
the productions or Concord authors, and these are
sufficient In numbers to form library or them.
selves The first known Concord author was Peter
Bulkeley, who, IN 1915 mad published In England
series OF sermons preached by him in this town.
copy oil the work Is one oil the rare treasures OF the
library. II was presented by George F. Hoar, the
Congressman rom the Worcester district, and in
this age Is quite curiosity. The following is the
title page:-
THE GOSPEL COVENANT;
THE COVENANT OF GRACE OPENED.
SWherein are explaned:- -
/. The difference between the Covenant Of CraceS
sand the Covenant of Works.
q The different adminisr alton of the Covenant be$
Sfore ana since Christ
3. The eits and BILE ssings OF it
4. The condition.
5. The proportions Of IL
Preached in Concord, New England, by PetcrS
SBulkeley, sometimes Fellow OF johns College, in