Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1893-10-26
A Great Library.

=
ington is slowly approaching compile
ton, so for as applies to TIE super
structure and general outline. Its
massive dome was erected this season,
and the sun glsteninS on its bright
white metal roof is seen down the Po-
tomas miles away.
The building i. 46S by 33G feet, not
counting the main entrance and stair
way, which project 30 feet beyond
the rectangular lines. This long cor
ridors and great rooms, together with
the massive walls, in the present
rough interior give the impression
Of fortress. The other portions OF
the building are dwarfed when com
pared with the reading room under
the great dome which towers over
100 feet over head.
The building is built around ii hpI-
low square, the outer portion or cur
tain being only 80 feet wide from the
exterior wall to the courts within.
The space inclosed 10y the four cur
tains il about 800 by 23j feet. II the
middle Of this rectaugle is built the
grand octagonal reading room. Con
Meeting the reading room with the
outer curtain are three wings run
ming north, east and south, dividing
the unOccupisd space into four spac-
ious courts, lG4 feet long by 100 feet
wide. The wings leading from the
reading room to the outer curtain are
OF uniform height with the remainder
OF the building, three stories and a
basemsnt They are given up entire
" to book stacks and are arranged
with floors about six feet apart aud
narrow alcOYc', which will enable
attendant. TO find any book without
disturbin. his neiShbor.
The architectural style OF the libra
ry Of Congress is Italian renaissance,
like that Of il, companion structure,
the National Capitol. The walls are
a cold gray granite, which from dis
tance is not unlike marble. The
first story is rough hewn, the stone
laid in courses like the gray bricks
There is 10 carving on this story sT
cept q fricZe, which marks the line OF
the first and second storie-. The
stone Of the latter story is cut rough,
and a wider and more elaborate frieze
separates it from the upper story,
which is finely cut and carved. The
cornice and the friezs over the third
story windows are beautifully carved
in simple, chasts designs.
This description applies to three
elevations of the building, the north,
east, and south. On the corners
there are more carving and other
corner effects, including carved faces
on the keystOnes Of the arches over
the windows OF the second story.
These faces form a most interesting
series, embracing u characteristic
countenance representing every dis
tinctivs race and pSopIs on the earth
and in an effective way demonstra-
ting the cosmopolitan character OF
temple erected for the preservation Of
useful knowledge.
The west front, which faces the
Capitol, is perhaps the most beauti-
ful architectural effect in America.
Following the general style Of The
other three elevations, il begins on
the ground floor with rough hewn
base growing more elaborate as 1t
rises The fourth story is richly
carved. The columns, in pairs, huge
fingers Of granite, single piece from
base to capital, support cornice that
might have been dug from the sacred
soil OF Greece, the burial remains Of
the work OF one OF the fathers OF ar
I chitecture. Cherubs and scrolls and
wreaths chiseled in the very granite
I tell to the world that here il 10 be
! the home OF culture and refinement,
/ the palace OF the art preservatiYe Of
all arts printing.
1 The dome which oyertops the libra
ry. a. If in Difference TO the dome Of
the National Capitol is sublime, yet
aot aiming TO excel the grandeur Of
| its neighbOr.
The building will cost a, 0OO, 900 and
will eventually be made to accommO-
date 1, 800, 900 volumes.