Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-28
Correspondents Of THE EVENING star.

NEW YORK, December q.
The date Of the auction sale Of the S. L. NJ
Barlow collection Of rare books has been fixed
| at February 8. This event will be one of the
most notable to book lovers and collectors OF
the new year. While the late Mr.. Barlow was
not rich man in the New York sense OF the
term he had large income from his possess
sions and an important law practice, and he con-
centrated his expenditures into the one narrow
channel OF rare manuscripts and publications
touching America. Now that the Columbus
fair is beginning to loom up in the immediate
future these accumulations are acquiring es-
pecial interest Looked at from a business
standpoint Mr.. Barlow chose advantageous
time to die. Undoubtedly the sale will bring
out some sensational bidding, in which the great
bibliophiles and libraries of Europe Will take a
hand as well as the local talent
THE LENox TREASURES OF AMERICANA.
The finest collection of Americana is prob
ably that OF the Lenox library. This collec-
ton. which is of superb excellence in every
branch included in its scope. is particularly
rich in first editions of the Columbus letters
Mr.. Barlow's library contains one or two great
rarltles IN the same line. among others a
famous Latin copy of the first letter published
In Rome In 1893 Some years ago Mr.. Lenox
wrote description for the New York Historical
4
the first letter. IL 1 remember Alright he spe-
clhes thirteen of these prints. of which. l be-
heve, the Lenox library has copies of seven.
Perhaps by this time il has additional members.
Inc manuscript of this precious letter, in which
columbus makes an official report of the dis
covery OF new world is unfortunately lost
Several manuscript copies were made. however,
and two or three of these are kept with great
care In European museums. Prints imme-
dlately appeared, first in Spain and soon after
Italy. Fr and Mr. Rarlnru,s
copy belongs to what is thought 10 be the first
Roman edition. This should not be confused,
however, with the illustrated Latin edition.
which Is one of the chief treasures OF the LenoN
collection. So far as known the Lenox library
has the only complete copy of this work in ex-
lstence, though imperfect copies are in the pos
session OF the British museum and L believe
one other foreign collection. The illustrations
OF the letter are supposed to be from designs
drawn by Columbus himself. If this surmise Is
correct the admirals ideas on art we're fully as
topsy-turvy as his knowledge of geography.
POINTER FOR THE LIBRARY COMMITTEES.
1t seems great pity that this fine collection
OF literary material identified with the history
of America should be dispersed under the
auctioneer's hammer. Very likely however
some OF the chief prizes will be secured by the
Lenox library. But a grand opportunity is
offered, If Congress were in that line of bust
ness Tor the acquisition by the nation of a
unique store house OF historical material that
would shed immortal luster on our great
library at Washington or the Smithsonian In
stltution. Will not our committees on the
library pause in their labors OF culling bouquets
and give this subject their serious considera-
tonl
CORNER LOTS IN THE AIR.
The glimpse had of Washington during the
past week impressed me anew with the metro
politan character which the capital is assuming,
and, In fact, has already acquired. Among
other Items 1 could mention in passing that
Washington seems to develop a more extreme
ana obnoxious type of dude than New York is
able to produce. The full dedged Washington
DUDE Is the most distressing substitute for a
human being that have ever encountered.
But passing from human microscopy to more
serious views, what impresses the visitor of to-
day Ii the waking up of Washington to the value
OF the ar. Within ten years we have built in
New York a second city on top of the one which
already covered the island Instead of three
ana ioIr stories. SIX, eight and ten are now the
rule. The average man, who has very often
heap OF sense. has concluded that it is cheaper
on many accounts to go up two or three rods
farther into the air than two or three miles on
level, especially if he can be carried on a per-
pendlcular railroad. 1t IL evident that the
same logic has gained lodgment in Washing
ton ana Will risk the prediction that the next
ten years will see striking development of the
tall apartment house. In New York we have
almost stopped building private houses-l
mean for people in general OF course il
rich man wants palace he builds it, but the
great bulk of the building is in the shape of high
Hats BY and by at this rate balloons will have to
purchase light of way and Henry George write
new book to claim everybodys right to the
air as well as to terra firma. But there is one
feature In New Yorks building growth which is
SO curiously and obtusely countriied that il
may well be noticed in any reference to the
subject In the good old colony times and in
the simple age of our own parents, when Cen
tral park was thought to be- such d misnomer
Tor a Tar suburban reservation, the usual VII
lage habit was followed OF laying line of blue
stone tagging for a sidewalk And by the law
OF the persistence of species this custom still
holds fast. Wherever tract is improved by
buildings the sidewalk is citifed, but until such
improvements are made the old tagging is
maintained, the effect being startling in its
way as the familiar juxtaposition OF shanty and
palace In Washington But as the palaces seem
to be getting the better of the shanties there SO
the strips OF Catskill tagging are getting rarer
in the fashionable parts of the new west side.
HILLS BOLD PUSH FOR '92.
Gov. Hill is implacable in his policy of
roofing out all the Cleveland men in the state
machine. His boldness Of attack rather takes
ones breath away. He is conducting one of the
most open and audacious campaigns ever seen in
American politics. If boldness wins David will
get there, but audacia is not always a winning
motto in spite of the proverb. While Hill is
tightening his grip on the machine Cleveland's
popularity is rapidly growing, and il is hard to
see how he can be sidetracked SO far as New
York is concerned, for the democratic nomina-
ton of 49, The almost universal expression ia
that the most Hill can do is to send the nomi-