Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-04

| granite mountain its choicest layers. and
have brought them hther, wrought and
fashioned to perfect fitness. Block by
block, and layer upon layer. these walls
have risen i'll strength and stateliness, to
the rhythm of the burdened, quiverng
derricks, and the clink of the drill and
trowel From base to pediment, we see
the cunning craftsmen's excellent work,
in shaggy ashlar, in lcttered panel anu
medallion in rounded arch and chiselled
traccry, in column and plaster and
capital; in bracket in moulding, in
cornice, in kneeler, and coping, and
final. The diversity and the unity the
simplicity and harmony of the planes and
curves and angles of the woven rock. be-
speak alike the genius of the designer and
the skill of tho long -apprenticcd work
| men.
For sill and girder and roof tree they
have brought from the great forest the
lofty pine, and squared and grooyed and
| fastened it with brace and bolt The
majestic oak tree, ripened by the growth
Of centuries, has given Of its gnarled and
1ibered tru nix the slabs that bind and
beautify the ceilings,
There have assembled here the various
industries that wait upon the noble art Of
architecture The moulder of clay has
brought his bricks. his terra Gotta, and
his dainty tile; the plastcrer has spread
his imperishable adamant; the decorator
has brought his graceful carvings; the
painter his blending colors: the artist
glider his beaten gold; the glazier has
! brought the crystal product of the labora-
tory, adorned with historic scenes, aud
the mystical symbolic devises of the early
press. From the distant Mediterranean
shore has been sent the vcined and
fossiled marble for vestbulc and thresh-
old; while the immortal names of
philosophers and poets and DISCOVERIES
and statesmen, radiant fixed stars in
the worlds intellectual galaxics, these
have been scattered in frieze, and plaster,
and panel, to embellish and SEA. as the
temple of thought and enlightenment our
gifted architects enduring masterpiece
The last workman with his implements
of labor has retired. Behold, now, the
completed edifice, ready for its destined
and exalted use. have the honor, sir,
in behalf of the building committee. to
transfer to you its full possession. These
keys admit to its doors.
Allow me, venerable sir Ito Mr.. Brad
building committee, to say personally to
you who have been our revered chair
man. that your junior associates have
learned from you during their months of
labor, how beautiful may be long ex
tended career ADD have seen in their
honored senior that the faircst crown of
old age is its silver hair and the record
and satisfaction of an honorable and use
full life.
Eon James W. Bradbury, tor the trus-
tees, responded with an address, short, but
pregnant with the wisdom and depth Of
thought that has in all his long and
fruitful life, been constant and character
istic. Mr.. Bradbury, despite his "a
years, in a voice clear and firm. ad
dressed the audience, with the following
words:
Ladies and Gentlemen The buildiro
committee having successfully DISCHARGED
the duty imposed upon it, has now de-
llvered this elegant building to th,
trustees.
The care, labor and time the members
Of the committee, and especially Mr..
Nash, its secretary, have given in attend.
ing to tho erection and furnishing the