The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-09-26
PwRINCH9ON'S LIBRARY.
Work on the New Structure
Progressing Rapidly To-
wards Completion.

Among the plans adopted by the trus-
tees of Princeton College for the celebra-
ton of the 150th anniversary of its found
ing. which falls on October %, this year.
is that of erecting a great university
library.
As was announced some time ago, the
sum of six hundred thousand dollars has
been secured for this purpose. The name
Of the doner of this liberal amount has
not yet been made public and the endow-
nent committee refuses to give it out
until the time of the sesquicentennial
celebration. At the time the gift was
received rumor had it that NJ. Taylor
Pyne, of New York City, a graduate of
the college in the class of 1877, and now a
trustee, was the liberal benefactor. Mr..
Pyne promptly denied the story. On the
question of the proportions and equipment
Of the new library. the committee is also
r%eticent, but enough is known to indicate
the general outline of the new structure.
The all-important question of a location
was decided in favor of a central posi-
ton in the college campus. The new
building will consequently stand immed;-
ately south of the present college library,
to which it will be Joined. The situation
thus selected is admirable in every re-
speet. although two ancient college land
marks. dean to the hearts of the alumni,
must be sacrificed in order to clear the
ground for the new building.
The work of clearing the ground for
the new library is already well advanced
and extensive excavations are going for
ward A large force of workmen are
pushing the work forward, and when the
students return in the fall a strange
scene will greet their eyes. All that por-
ton of the campus lying between the
Via Presbyterian East college, College
place and the college library, is torn up.
The ancient elms on this enclosure are
yielding to the woodman's axe, and the
beautiful walks and lawns are a scene
of devastation. The Old Chapel, built
in 1S47. when the growth Of the college
had exceeded the capacity of the portion
of Nassau Hail then used as a college
chapel, and which was characterized by
the venerated DIR. Atwater as an ..archi-
tectural gem in its symmetrical aspects
and proportions is already RACED to the
ground. East College, the large dorma-
tory forming he eastern sid Of the COL
lege quadrangle, viii have to go in the
---
new library progresses. The quadran-
gle. however, will be kept intact, as the
west wall of the new building viii run
on the same line now occupied by the west
wall of the East College
The contractors plans, filed In the pub
lie records, show the general outlines of
the new building to be a rectangular par
aiierogram with a large court in the CEN
ire. The building viii be four stories
high and the internal construction is to
De suen as to accommodate to the best
possible advantage an enormous number
Of books. Princetonians believe that when
finished this will be the most perfectly
equipped library in America. Two years
or more will be required for its erection
foundations will be laid only as far as
East College on the south. as indicated
BY the excavations now going forward.
After the sesquicentennial, the work
ished the new library will measure about
two hundred by one hundred seventy
feet. The style of architecture employed
is to be Gothic. and Henry K. Potter, of
New York, who had charge of Alexander
Hall, the beautiful commencement build-
ing now being completed. win also be the
architect of the new library.
The growth of the Princeton library is
interesting in this connection. A gift of
400 yolumes from Governor Beleher. of
the Province of New Jersey, in 1855.
marked the beginning of this department
of the university. AcceSsions in those days
came slowly. and several fires proved
especially destructive to the small but
gradually increasing collection. AT the
time when the present college library
was erected, in 1872, the total number of
volumes was in round numbers q, 900.
The capacity of the building erected for
this purpose was 10000 volumes. and the
library built in 1S2 was regarded at that
time as sufficient for any future growth
of the college. Less han twenty-five
years, however. have suficed to exceed
its capacity. for the collection now NUM-
pamphlets. This collection is especially
strong in history ard political science
philosophy, mathematics and poetry, but
Is weak in the languages. With the erec-
ton of the new library, all department
will be fully equipped.
The committee having in charge the col
lection of the endowment is composed of
men well known throughout the country.
including the following gentlemen:-James
w. Alexander, of New York city. chair
man of the Endowment Committee; Hon.
John A. Stewart. OF New York city;
DR.. J.. Addison Henry, of Philadelphia;
NJ. Taylor Pyne, of New York city: Cyrus
Fl. Mccormick. OF Chicago; Colonel John
J; Mccook. Of New York city: J. Bayard
Henry, of Philadelphia-all LENDERS of
the Board of Trustees, President Patton.
Dean Murray, Professors John T. Duf1eld-
William NJ. Sloane and Andrew f. West,
secretary of the committee-all members
Of the faculty; William B. HornhIower.
of New York city; A. II. Joline. OF New
York city, Charles Scribner. of New York
city; C. c. Cuyler. of New York city;
Samuel B. Huey, of Philadelphia; John
D. Davis. Of ST. Louis; James L~aughlin,
Jr., of Pittsburg; W. w. Lawrence. Of
Pittsburg-all alumni of Princeton. TIL
Executive Committee is made up as fol-
iows:-James w. Alexander, chairman:
Charles E. Green. N. Taylor Pyne, CIV
rus H. Mccormick. Colonel John ]. Nc
Cook, President Patton, Professor w. NJ.
Sloane and Professor Andrew f. West,
secretary.
$1,000