The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-10-11
The CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Valuable SerIics Rendered the Country BY
Two YlrsInlans,
JOHN RANDOLPH AND THOMAS JEFFERSON
Wide Range of Historical Coilections-Mr.
Randolph's Pet acknowledgements
Great Aid-Books to All Tastes.
For The Times.l


act which is oil achievement and nothing OK
mistake. the act whose influence will BIO felt
as long as our nation shall last. IS one passed
ninety years aeo-largely through tho infu-
ence Of yircinas brosd-minded son, John
Randolph sppropriating funds for library
for tho use and instruction of Congress.
In the Capitol building in Washington is
the great library which, though originally in
tended for the enlightenment OF congressman
| and high officials. can now properly be called
| the National Public Library. as every one IS
| allowed free access to its rare and extensive
| collections. and daily its rooms are hlied with
! knovlodge-thirsty men and women from All
! parts of the country. eagerly consulting the
| books they can find nowhere else. There IS
| no other library in the United States one-halt
as complete as this ono. and in some OF its de-
partnents it is fully tho equal OF any OF the
| great Libraries Of Europe; indeed, 1t ranks
| fifth among the prominent Libraries OF the
world.
WIDE HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS.
It's historical collections have q wide range.
| and are particularly comprehensive In every
| thing pertaining to America There is really
no subject from theology 70 chess, from
classic lore TO analysis OF Mother Goose
Gals. history, science, mechanics, arts, sports.
games. political science. medicine. law, as
trOnomy. literature poetry. music, agricul-
ture electricity al kinds of knowledge for
all kinds Of psopls are hero treasured up to
be had for thu asking.
JOHN IASDoLPH's PET SCHEME.
Randolph WAS the earliest friend md sup
porter of tho library scheme and took espe-
cial pains to secure liberal appropriations for
1t. and had much 10 DO with the selection OF
the books. But il all the G33.77O volumes md
20 900 pamphlets there is perhaps. not a sin
gle ono sanctifod by his touch for in 1914
when the British soldiers invaded Washing
ton. they broke into the Capitol and used the
books and papers to kindle the fire that con-
WAS stripped Of everything II contained and
large quantities of Government records do
stroyed
GOOD WORK or AToTHzr vIRoTS1AN.
As at tho beginning a Virginian selected
the books that were TO mould and polish the
intellects and shape the manners and morals
of Americas children. ~ it asain deyolved.
after this act of vandalism, on Nirginias son
to choose nations reading. Thomas
Europe, had picked up gems of litera-
ture in al tongues. rare works IN philoso-
phy and history. Bibles and religious
works. in all 5000 volumes. and brought
them back to adorn his mountain homo
In the dear Old Dominion. Old age brought
direst poverty to the grand old man. 80 10 re-
lieye the dreadful strain Of want he offered
his beloved books to Congress as the nucleus
for new library. After much discussion
Congress offered -23 $50 for the lot. and with
tears standing on his cheeks Jefferson saw
the companions of his happiest moments
horne from Monticello. his only comfort being
that his darlings would 1.-Two after him, and
help 20 elevate the minds of the countrymen
he had tried 30 faithfully TO ser'e.
GROWTH on THE LIBRARY.
The library grew rapidly after this. and in
1851 numbered about 90. 900 books Its pleas
ant hall became the fsvorite resort OF ladies
and gentlemen of highest social Importance
who daily discussed literary matters and social
events. but on Christmas eve 1851. fire
caused by a defective fiue swept through the
room, DESTROYING 80 900 books and some valua-
bic paintings. The hall was reconstructed
the following year. and two halls added; the
cost of repairs amounted TO something like
$500, 900 Congress made liberal Appropriations
from year to year, and the halls soon became
well stocked with books. In the year 1866 the
booksfrom tie Smithsonian Institute. amount
ing to 10000 volumes. were deposited in tho
Library of Congress and ever since all pub
locations received from scientific societies
throughout the world at the Smithsonian are
added To this library. In 1867 Congress pur-
chased for 400 600 the collsction Of rare his |
torical books. files of newspapers maps, en-
cravings, etc. accumulated by Peter Force.
of Washington, IN thirty year. of antiquarian
research. This forms a valuable department OF |
the Library of Congress There is also a law |
library of tho Government; it contains about |
GO 900 volumes and IS the largest of the kind |
in the United States.
BooK-woRu's PARIpIsn
The library a. whole is 4 paradise for the |
book worm, and here he may be found every |
day all the year round. When a visitor is
tired of studying books he will find ample |
IL
study OF man. 1t IS no unusual thing TO see
the representatives of eight different nations
English. American. French, German Irish,
Italian. Indian and negrO-all in eager quest
OF the brain food best suited to thor various
calibre. Little children with fairy tales.
misses with the seductive novel, boys willing
away vacation with books su,piciously vel
low backed" clergymen with Greek Tesla
ments. bOok-writers and rhymsters here do
congregatc. quits oblivious of each other or
anything outside the contents OF tho volume
spread before them
In small compartment one will notice
shelves of books in black and red binding
they all relate to George Washington: those
IN red TO the life and works Of the soldier and
patriots those bound in black contain the
funeral orations and resolutions of sorrow for
the demise of the first President
Jeierson's books are scattered all around
the library. but are instantly recognized by
the initials Of his name, t. j., in violet ink.
ANCIENT RELICS.
Among the most ancient prints IL one of
Platos works, translated in Latin at Venice.
l49l. 1t is first edition. and looks formda-
bic with its two columns of black print
with never paragraph or rest for the eve
but the large red letter beginning the chap
ters. This book is III perfect condition, and
is greatly respected on account of its great
age. Another treasure, which is rarely ex
hibited, IS one IN which Oliver Cromwell wrote
his name. Still anotheris a Bible kept under
glass. Il was bought from brewer Mr..
! erkins. IN 49, 3 for $1,000 in gold. IL is the
work of monks III the thirteenth century. |
Ind is printed by hand on vsllum.
BOOKS FOR rygnYBoDr.
A reader is not restricted as TO the number
If books obtained at one time. The atten.
iants. who are wonderfully obliging. will pro.
;ure every book on subject that has been
published In tho last hundred years IL isre
narksblc but no less fact. that on many
subjects this library contains every book that I
las come from the press for a century
looks Ia twenty languages books good
'ad and Indifferent. On these crowded.
shelves arc works OF little and great authors
'ubblnr against each other, productions that I
lsve long been and will long 10 the sdmlra-
ion OF the world and those of brist IN,
ND remembrance. For every hook :
hat Is copyrighted the author must leave two 1
opies with the Librarian. At tho present rate
Il bookmakinR this means an addition OF 3
., 600 cOpics A year The library in friobt !