Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-11-12

reproduction OF the latest and final drawing
prepared few days ago in the Office Of Col.
Bernard r. Green. superintendent Of construc-
ton, embodying all the changes in the plans
for the exterior ornamentation, and showing
months hence, when the outside work IL oil
goes well, is expected to be finished. No fur
Their alterations will be made, according TO the
present intention, in any Of the outward de-
tails as here represented and the building will
be turned over TO the government precisely in
the form delineated in the illustration.
COMPARED WITH OTHER BUILDINGS.
Compared with ali other great library struc-
lures in the world this building will be by long
odds the largest. noblest and most beautiful
ever erected for the purpose Of national re-
pository for books and will in every way de-
serve to become, it doubtless will become,
the pride and ornament of America az treas
ury of science. learning, culture and intellec-
tual wealth, inestimable In value to the whole
English-spealing race. 1t will cost SC COO ,00O
and will cover Ill ,000 square feet Of ground.
The State, War and Navy cost S11 900, 900 and
occupies area of only 30 O32 square feet, the
greater cost having been occasioned by the
greater compactness and consequent expensive
ness of the interior arrangements. The British
Museum Library covers 81, 200 and the Royal Ii
brary of Bavaria at Munich $4,000 square feet.
ITS CONTENTS.
The collection that will be housed within it
now slowed away in more or less chaotic confu-
sion in that portion OF the Capitol allotted to
the library OF Congress already ranks sixth in
point of size with the largest literary collections
in the old world. all Of which have required
centuries for their assembling. 1t embraces to-
day SIS, 900 books. 900. 900 pamphlets, Is ,0OO
bound volumes Of newspapers, and an immense
budget Of valuable manuscripts, besides 10, 900
maps and an enormous array of engravings,
photographs, photographers, Autographs
chromos, prints, drawings. musical COM
positions and periodicals Of all descriptions In
this great aggregation, covering all the varied
fields Of science, jurisprudence, biography and
history. are thousands of rare old volumes and
manuscripts of priceless worth.
SOME PRICELESS GEMS.
Among these gems are:
A copy of the first printed edition Of Plato's
works. published in Latin at Venice in 1491.
A manuscript copy of the Latin Bible on
vellum. dating from the middle of the thirteenth
century, of Italian origin, embellished with
countless miniature paintings and Illuminated
initial letters-purchased for $4,000 at the sale
of the Perkins library in 1878.
A copy of Cranmer's English Bible, printed
in London in 1910: Saiiust's Conspiracy OF
Cataline in English, printed at London in
154l, with autograph of Oliver Cromwell.
Bible, published in 1911.
Several rare first edition copies Of Shaks-
peare, folio, printed in 1923.
A first edition of Millions Paradise Lost, u
folio.
first edition of Burtons Anatomy OF
Melancholy" 1920.
first edition Of Izaac Walton's complete
Angler"
A copy of John Eliot's Indian Bible, printed
at Cambridge, Mass, in 1868.
A first American edition of Burns poems
with autograph of Alexander Wilson, the
ornithologist.
Several notable black-letter editions Of the
early English writer's.
valuable collection Of early voyages to
America and narratives of travellers to various
parts of America, printed in all the languages
Of Europe.
complete file Of the official London Gazette
from its beginning in 1665-the only complete
file in America.
complete file OF the daily London Time.
from 1876.