Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-26


Estiennes of Paris. 1870 to 1874. These
had representation Of sage breaking
the decayed limbs from fig tree, Illus
trative of their custom of sitting out all
the poor literary contributions and retain
ing only the sterling and fruitful, which
custom today is quite common.
The printing houses were given charters
only by special permission from the
regents These charters were handed
down from. generation to generation
until sometimes transfer was made to
another family, and the house changed
hands, as 1t WERE In this case the SYM
bols were altered, but not altogether, as Is
shown In the case of Wynkn de Works
succeeding william Caxton Of London.
Here the letters W. o. were retained and
certain features of mysterious cabalis-
tic symbol which has never been ex-
planned.
One mark shows an arm reaching from
the heavens striking an anvil; another q
serpent typical Of worldly wisdom, with
hands grasping it, as If reaching out for
that worldly wisdom, which has always
been in such great demand.
Another house made up of two families,
Petrus and Lichtenstein, have their re-
spective coats of arms and two globes,
representinp the eastern and the western
worlds.
Perhaps one of the most striking and
comforting is that of the Elzevirs, the rep
resentation of sage meditating, mon
solus," not alone, never alone, as long as
knowledge lasts. The Elzevirs books are
obsolete.
Felix Kingston of London, has motto
"Digna Parnasso Apolline, which In its
free translation may mean Worthy of the
gods and muses." about as much as could
be expected Of man, and especially of a
publisher
These symbols are worthy of study and
attention and as special care has been
taken to get only the authentic, the COL
lection is rare one.
On the left of the hall, in the west end
of the building is the stack or book room.
This room is large and light, and very
handsome The wainscotting is In terra
Gotta with light buff walls. The ceiling
is tinted with French gray with delicate
opera pink ribs.
An above of blue gray clouded with
pink, spans the centre, the gray having a
blue effect and initiating the open sky.
The fire place in this room is very
striking with green French tiles in imita-
ton of moss covered bricks. Antique
iron work trims the inner face. The
mantel is trimmed in polished oak work.
The facure of the oak mantel is carved
with antique figures with dentals above.
In the centre, in strong relief, is the State
of Maine seal, surmounted by carved
panels and fancy designs.
| On the west end of this room there are
no plate glass windows, the space being
occupied by richly colored glass pictorial
transoms of old Kennebeo county scenes.
One is the Trading House of We Ply
mouth colony at Cushnoc 1923" another
shows Fort Western at Cushuoc 1884, "
on the same site as the original trading
house.
Other scenes are aye old Towne Meet
ing House, Augusta, 1882" "South
Parish Meeting House," "Cony Female
Academy, 1875" "Ye Konnebec Bridge,
1897"
These pictorial windows are beautifully
colored and change from the bright light
of day, with the late afternoon sun, to the
twilight; and one can see these old places
If not exactly as they were, at least
| nearly enough SO to bring them back and
make them very real.
Directly at the right of the vestibule an
| oak stairway ascends to the hall above,
which is furnished with a small stage
and fitted up tastefully and conveniently.
Two large fancy colored windows are OH
the side facing the street ard, opposite,
is a handsome mantel and fireplace.
In the basement there are the lavatories
and repairing room and also a fireproci
safe for the storage of any valuable books
or papers
The building will be well ventilated and
heated by hot water.
Inside and outside, the decorations and
architectural work is systematic, simple
and graceful, and touched with beauty
which fascinates and is, at the same tim'
constant.
The rooms and hall are finished
throughout In handsome dark polished
oak, carved in good and not gaudy taste
The coloripg is simple and delicate.
The reading room is beautiful beyond
description. The effect is light from tn
predominating white work but toned b.
the nile green ceiling. inches and panels
The golding is rich and tasty; there