The Florence tribune., 1898-07-09
Letters from Washington, No. 4.
TIE IrBRARy BUILDING.

is within. yoa are amazed and pe- wildered. It is a new conception ot "Aladdin's Cave" oman improved plan. Such D rns.rble staircase you never saw. sach exquisitely wrought figures yoa are not prepared to expect the surprise astouishes you; awe and admiration strive for the mastery. To quote from the Guide, let me speak of the central stair hau of the entrance pavilion:
 "This appartment, which hes been styled vision in polished stone, is fitting entrance hall to the superb | building. In the dignity of it's propor- tion and design, it's richness and har- mony of adornment, in the perfect adaptation to the purpose for which it is intended, the Library of Congress stands to-day Us America's highest architectural achievement.
 "The usual entrance to the building 1 is by massive stairways of the central pavilion and through the bronze doors (describea in the last lett,srl 10 the central stair hull of the first or library
 floor. This is a magnificent apartment, I pronounced to be unsurpassed by any other entrance hall in the world. It is lined throughout with fine Italian marble, highly polished. On the sides rise lofty sounded columns, with elabo- rately carved capitals of Corinthian design, while the arches are adorned
 with marble rosettes. palm leaves and foliated deeigus of exquisite finish and delicacy. The great height of this
 entrance hall, rising 72 feet to the sky light. with it's vaulted ceiling, and
 the grand double stair case, with it's
 marble balustredes leading up on either . side, exhibit an architectural effect . which may be termed imposing. To
 be appreciated it must be seem no des-
 eription can convey tithe of the
 beauty, elegance of design and deeora.
 tive art here displayed. The teesslated floor, gildcd ceiling and polisLed pillars of Italian marble, figure of Minerva holding a short sword ia her left hand and torch in u right, the : carvings on ths sides of the stairway
 all exhibit excellent taste and the highest artistic ekll in workmanship as well as conception and design. No one man could have planned much less :, conceived, such rare combination. It
 was tAe result of many minds of the
 highest order, working to one end, and
 that of marvellous fertility of brain. . sThe central figure of the interior Is r tho reading room, Bn ootagonal, or ,- nearIy circular haill feet in diameter D and l25 feet high, ligbted by eight t large simi-eireular windows, g. feet D wide. This is designed to seat 25t
 readers, furnishing each desk with Esrsors rrs 5if----ssesls l1. :.
 : reading room On the first floor = ! sightseeing To view .he room they must take the elevator. or ascend bg the stairway to the visitor's gallery.
 Radiatiog from the Botunda are
 three great repositories CT booicstaeks one on the north, another on the south. ,, and third smaller oas on the eaat.
 liyop are reader and svish . book
 you note 1t on elrd and hand it to
 one of theclerka e sab-librariaus. and
 before you are ewars, presto here t
 comes in position through pnea-
 matte tube, stacks are e5 feet
 high, IF feet long and zj feet wide.
 Each one of tas two iarge tacks has
 shelving capa4itY of 300. DOC volumes
 the smaller tack with room for I00..
 900 books Is devoted 10 the special
 collection of the Library Of the Smith sonian Institution The book shelving nov in tbo builaing is confined to the three regular staelss, and the two tiers of alcoves in the Rotnnda. t amounts
 to 23l, ,680 feet or about fl miles which
 will accommodate 2,085, ,l20 volumes.
 But time and space forbid that I should go iuto detail tn regard to the halls and corridors and their decora- tions, of the Rotunda and the life sized statutes on the gallery, of the pavil- ions and their ornament, studies and designs, the delicate stueco work and the symbolic figures of mythology and modern scientists, philosophers, states 'aen, historian, and wsrriors. great meu of the world iuyaators, dis. covers and daring adventarara. You can take guias book, and ait or stand and ataay by She hour, mud figures in. bronze or marble. or eae reiief speak to you from their inches or DedestaIs and you feel at home in their presence as you read their history or recall their exploits.
 Tho library was founded in 1900, Congress apropriating for it s5,o00, a large sum considering the date and the newness of onr country. It has twice suffered by fire, in 1874 when the oap'tol was burned, and in 1857. The library is free of access to all corners who desire to read and infor m themselves on any subject of literature