The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1883-1893, 1888-01-26

WASHINGTON, d c., Jan. 10, 1888 The
name of John Randolph, of Roanoke, is in
connected with the Library of
G ,ngress, which is, to me, one of the most
places in Washington. 1t oc-
cupies the principal floor OF the entire
western projection of the capitol, and con
>ists Of a central hall and two wings, each
% feet long. 1t is well lighted by win
dows IN the alcoves and by sky lights. 1t
was originally commodious and suitable
for its purposes, but the number OF vol
umes has multiplied so rapidly that 1t IS
TOO full, and books, unpacked, are piled
up here and there. 1t has capacity for
112, 600 volumes and at this time there
are 315 600 bound volumes in the Library,
not to speak Of the millions of pamphlets,
besides manuscripts. In 1900 the Library
was founded In 1902 John Randolph as
Chairman of the Library Committee, Sc
cured the passage of an act that placed 1t
on a permanent footing. From that time,
although two fires destroyed thousands OF
volumes, large sums have been approprl-
ated. and to day the Library Is the largest
in the United States. 1t is especially Itch
in books, pamphlets, journals, manu-
scripts, and maps relating TO the history
and topogIal by of America. Among the
rare works are two great folios, written
on velIum. with numerous llluminations
by hand, executed with the utmost care IN
the 18th Century; a Constitution Of Pope
Clement V, of Rome, 1867, by Peter Sho-
effer, at Mentz; a copy of ELot's Indian
Bible; 800 early ALIASES and maps, some
unpublished, of the American continent,
and many others.
In the Library there are four tiers OF
shelves, and in the centre of the room are
many long tables at which men and women
sit reading or studying. l was interested
10 see what seemed to be the chief kind OF
reading or study of those who We're SO in
5ently poring over the books. Most Of
them had pencils in hand At one table
was a very plain looking, gray-haired wo-
1nan who was, with great difficulty, read
ing a Spanish reader, such as are used IN
schools. She had frequent recourse 10 the
Spanish grammar and seemed often puz-
zled. but she worked away with will.
With white hairs that betokened age she
was as intent upon mastering this new
language as if she had been as young as
she was forty years ago. She evidently
didn't hold TO the ungallant utterance
discussing whether his daughter should
study French, cone tongue is enough for
any woman" There was a kind Of fascl-
nation about her to me although she was
most homeiy. 1t was only when | looked
into her eye and saw ''the fire OF lntelil-
gence" there that | could forget her age
and lack of beauty, and become attracted
by the face. | have often observed how
great depth of meaning lies in the eye
of an educated and thoughtful man or
woman. There is power in it that sur
passes the dazzling brightness Of a belle.
a woman, as she grows old, can only keep
the light in her eye and the intelligent ex-
preston by continual keeping up with the
literature or the current events. II she
has nothing to claim her thoughts, there
SSlSlCS III OlN dSS 'e@|eAS S-AP NNN'AOAA ~
her face. and she is uninteresting to those
around her. To retain the hold upon her
children a woman ought to keep her mind
bright and not allow the little everyday
things to deprive her of all opportunity to
make herself a companion for her children
and friends. I'll wager a great deal that
this plain old woman who sat with me at
the table and studied her Spanish reader,
has charm to her children that nothing
but cultivated mind could impart.
There was another lady at the table q
petite, intellectual looking, wearing-eye-
glass-young woman who was poring over
a German scientific book and taking copi-
Gus notes. She had as fine an eye as one
can see in many day, and instead OF
reading Ouidas disgusting and lndecen,
stuff that weakens the mind and under
mines the womanliness of woman, she was
fitting herself for the highest career OF
usefulness. Neither was she wasting hel
youth in ''hours of gentle dalliance" look
city is followed by most women-but was
making herself independent of marriage
or, if it came in her way, fit to become {
help meet to an intelligent and ambitious
man.
Throughout the room the tables were
surrounded by men and women, of al
ages, who were reading, studying, or copy
ing from the books before them. 1t is The
custom of many writers to visit this Ii
brary and look up such statistics, facts o.
historical data as bears upon the subJec
upon which they are writing. | discours
ed with German professor who was here
on such a mission. Mr.. Shofford, the Ii
brarlan, who has been here twenty -thre'
years, told me that there was always
number Of such men and women in tn,
ADrary They thus make books by re
casting, so to speak, the works Of othe
men. The sight of these book-makers re
called the inquiry in Burton's Anatomy Q
Melancholy: eff that severe doom Of Sy
nesius be true-'It is greater offence t
steal dead mems labor than their clothes,
what shall become of most wrlteroT IL
addition to this class, there are those VIII
get up statistics for Senators and Repre-
sentatives 1t is the custom of many mem
bers of Congress to hire some competen
porSop n, furnish thprn statistics bearJO