The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-02-08

thoroughly unattractive front on Wash
ington street, to which, in the absence
heretofore of any adequate response to
the appeal for funds, the Public Library
has felt obliged TO limit itself. Within
the past week, however, a generous mes
sage ca bed froIn Europe by MIR. John
Nicholas Brown, has placed 200, 900 at the
disposal of the trustees, thus ensuring
the completion Of the building in accord
apce with the admira ble designs of the
architects, Stone, Carpenter q Wilson.
This is no sudden or unconsidered act on
the part of MIR. Brown Even before his
departure for Europe he took pains to in
form himself as to the situation and needs
of the library, and his frequent commuDi-
cations with his representative In Provi-
deuce during the past few months have
placed him in possession of the data re-
quired for acting intelligently.
As is generally familiar the temporary
plans. inadequate though they were, had
the advantage of being a part Of the COM
plete plan; and consequently all that is
now needed 10 to extend the lines Of the
building as it stands, with but little
mod ification. This will be undertaken as
soon as favora ole weather conditions per-
nit.
A tablet in the new building will ap-
propriately perpetuate the memory OF Mr..
Browns noble gilt. But the generous
donor will have the satisfaction of know
ing that tie msmory of his far-reIching
bene6cence will live in the hearts Of the
pubic. In all the future. "There Is."
said James Russell Lowell, "po way in
which man can build so secure and last
ing a monument for himself as in pub
lie library. Upon that he may confidently
allow 'Resurgam' to be carved, for
through his good deed he will rise agsin
in the grateful remembrance aud In the
lifted and broadened minds and fortified
characters of generation after generat-
ion."
The main fact to be borne in mind In
connec ion with the goo, 900 gift of John
Nicholas Brown to the Public Library
fund is that, magnificent as the donation
is, it is only a portion OF what Is aoso-
lutely necessary before the library may be
safely and decently housed in home
that is worthy OF it aud creditsble to the
city. The opportunity for individuals to
contribute is not oniy still open but it Is
more incum bent upon them than ever to
take advantage OF it.
The whole cost of the enterprise was e,-
timated at 500. ZOO. About one-fourth OF
that wes available and Il was all required
to purchase the land at the corner OF
Greene and Washington streets.
The use of the land by the erection and
furnishing OF the proposed building
then depended upon the pubf1c spirited
generosity OF this community. About
wear ago the librarian William Il. Foster
issued an appeal for the necessary $780,
600. Ibe response resulted In adding
Sob to the fund and the $1,000 was from
one Individual. The thirteen dollars
seems TO represent the liberality OF the
rest OF the 14S, 600 citizens of Providence
up to this time.
The Gift of MIR. Brown is made upon two
conditions-one that II Will be used only
fer the building. " lille the heating, plumb
ing and furnishing must be provided
for from ether sources, and the other con-
clifton is that all buildings now located
on the library lot shall be removed.
The furnishing, heating and plumbing
will cost another Sl0O. .O00
Two contracts were awarded last July,
the largest Cfor the builders work, sx-
clrsive OF furnishing, etc.,, was
awarded to Johnw. Bishop a. Co. of Prov
idence, for about s67. 600. The "stsck con-
s.ruc,ion." de-. the interior OF the sack
building: everything in fact, hu; the In
terror masonry walls of that building),
forms an operation by itself, the contract
for which has been awarded 10 the Fen
ton Metallic Manufacturing Company, OF
Jamestown, n. ", for s2l,045.
Rev. Dr.C. a. L. Richards OF the board
of trustees, and member Of the commit
tee on subscriptions said today, "The slit
from Mr.. Brown should be stimulus TO
a show Of greater public spirit and not
pillow to lie down upon"