The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-13

There are many persons in this. as well
as in every other city, whom some folks
are inclined to designate as. library fiends,
Il indeed anything demoniacal could be as
scciated with such harmless members OF
society.
Why do these people frequent the pub
lie libraries? The answer is to be found
in most cases in the peculiar circum-
stances surrounding the daily life OF each,
rather than in a burning desire for the
knowledge that lies in books.
Many OF them are elderly men. old
soldiers living on a pension or some small
annuity doubtless, whose dwelling place is
comprised within the limits OF one small
room in a downtown boarding house, and
who. in the daytime look about for
somewhere to go and see people and
breathe. The streets become tiresome with
their distracting hustle, and the public IL
brary offers itself as a harbor of refuge,
an oasis in the city's life and movement
which after all is that of pitiless money
consuming and money-producing machine.
\
niente be so perfectly enjoyed as in IL
brary. The books themselves seem to
breathe spirit of repose; and the quiet
and abstraction manifested by the read
ers; every sound produced seeming 10
come from afar off, and suggesting mere
echo of the outside world. all tend to act
upon the senses of the idler like a mild
alc ho
felt such an utter lack of responsibility,
such an immunity from the obligations Of
toll and labor.
There are many types Of these grovelers
among the public books. Like blades Of
grass, no two are exactly alike. An OBJ
server of their ways and habits recalls a
little elderly man, distinctively foreign in
appearance, attired in a suit of clothes Of
a most remarkable cut and hat which is
unique in this day and generation.
He appears to be monument OF the
Transformation which the habitual fire.
Quenting of a library is capable of working.
Soft and timid Of step and voice. he was
at one time, in all probability, a soldier
who, as the phrase goes, had "smelled
powder" for his walk indicates that he
has sustained a severe wound or injury
IN the side which may be attrib-
uted to gun or bayonet Whether
he is a pensioner OF this or Of the Ital-
ian Government, Of which latter country
he is evidently a native, or whether the
stiffness noticeable in his right shoulder
is the result of playing the hand organ and
his living derived from the profits amassed
In that lucrative profession, will form a
matter Of conjecture.
Another class OF these old bookworms
which fourishee particularly at the Con-
gressional Library is formed principally of
women, who engage in the interesting and
profitable task OF looking up their an
cestry." The energy and perseverance de-
voted to this labor by elderly ladies and the
vast number Of county records, and other
equally valuable works dealing with the
subject matter in hand, which they explore
in tracing the growth Of their family tree,
the excitement under which they labor in
the quest, and the demands made upon the
courteous and obligins attendant furnish
truly remarkable picture in this democratic
land.
Not a few, 1t is said. find at length as
Q result OF their research that they arc the
legitimate descendants OF noble races, and
cases have been known where some have
come to the conclusion that the blood
royal itself flowed In their veins. A
tragic side to the picture is presented
when this cherished Idea has turned the
brain Of such unfortunate or deluded per-
Sons and they have become possessed with
the belief that they are entitled to royal
honors-a form Of insanity which is ex- |
emplifed In many instances at st. Eliza |
beth's Asylum.
The reading-room In the Congressional |
Library devoted to newspaper and period |
heal literature has developed new species |
Of library habitue. This is the person |
who, absent from home, seeks here for
the news OF his native place. Nowhere
else, perhaps, can the attachment of p-o-
pie to the scene Of their nativity and
customary life be better shown than in
this reading room. Newspapers from all
parts of the world are here to be found
and people from all parts Of the world
come to read them. Greeks, Russians,
Italians. Turks, all nationalities, are rep
resented by their journals, and people from
various nations find pleasure and solace in
hese home echoes.
One old gentleman goes to the Con-
Library regularly to pe-use the
London Times" He reads ii with that
creme and dignifed expression, scanning
is every word, as II seems inadvertently,
which is only possible with a particular
lass OF Englishmen. He is Londoner,
once a we'll to-do merchant in
hat city. and reads his Times" of a
week or SO back now, as religiously as he
lid every morning In his active days be-
ore going TO business.
Next to him is an excitable Frenchman,
rho laughs or frowns by turns as he reads
Figaro" and one sees German stolidly
,erusing the journals OF his 'Fatherland."
AL are oblivious for the nonce of the fact
hat they are in their adopted or merely
temporary country, and, in their mind, are
scenes and discussing topics
relating TO places and people some thou
sands Of miles away. Many prosperous
merchant will steal an hour or so from
his business TO go to the reading room
md eagerly absorb every topic relating to
lis native place as set forth in its news
papers. Such people ascertain Just when
! new mall from their respective countries
nay be expected to arrive at the reading
Dom, and are regular attendants upon
'uch occasions. And who shall say but
What that precious hour of home memories
for the business time ex-
'ended?
nENTTCTRv 0Tn AMI