The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1906-07-05

so many celebrities were concerned
In the planning, erection and adornment
of the Congressional Library, that a
list of them would embrace about all
the great ones in the world of art and
architecture With due regard to a
very few structures which cost more,
the Library is ranked as the most beau
tiful public building in America, and
one of the most magnificent in the
world. From first to last, it had the
most assiduOus care Of its projectors,
and constant watchfulness made graft
that practice of diverting the public
money to private ends so noticeable in
some other undertakings Of similar
haracter-impossibe so that the
uses intended. There are other build
lngs of more general Importance in
Washington. The Capitol, of course,
ranks first, and the Treasury and
State, War and Navy buildings follow
closely; but however it is exceeded in
such affairs as pertain to the business
Of the government, even the Capitol
cannot approach the Library in interior
beauty.
The Congressional Library represents
an outlay of $7,OOOOO0. 1t covers an
area of three and one half acres, or
about the same as the ground area of
the Capitol. 1t is 470X34O feet in di-
mansions and has four large inner
courts averaging l50Xl00 feet. The Ii
brary is situated squarely in front of
the Capitol, and is separated from it
by beautiful lawns and driveways. 1t
covers the site Of seventy residences
which were bought in the late sos at
a cost of about 100000. The founda-
tons were begun in 1889, and the build
ing was completed in 1897. The struc-
ture is of the Italian Renaissance or
der Of architecture, has three stories
and dome. The latter Is finished in
black copper, with panels covered with
a thick coating of gold leaf. The burn
Ing torch of Science, with which the
dome is capped, reaches a height Of
195 feet above ground. The only lar
ring note in the whole structure is
caused by the low elevation of the
torch. as compared with the towering
3OI feet of the statue of Armed Free
dom on the dome of the Capitol lust
across the way. One is likely to call
the Library "Squatty" when comparing
the two buildings but this feeling is
lost Immediately on entrance to the
wonders of the main stair hall
The lofty ceiling is arched and groin
ed 50 gracefully and artisticalIy and the
general effect is so harmonious, that
the visitor almost Invariably loses sight
Of the magniiicence of the ornamental
ton in admiration of the apartment as
whole; that is at first
Seated on one of the numerous set
tees, but a short time ensues ere color
and decorative schemes begin to formu-
late, and then the full magniticence of
the majestic hall bursts upon one with
dazzling effect. 1t is possible that in
the wonderful structures Of India-the
TAI Mahal, for example-there are
rooms more beautiful. How they could
be so, however, the Imagination cannot
conceive.
The columns, and stairways, and bal
ustrades, and arches, are all made Of
the purest of white marble, highly pol
ished and inaid with stones In myriad
colorings. At the sides rise lofty round
ed columns with elegantly carved Cor
inthian capitals and the arches are
picked out in marble rosettes, palm
leaves and foliated designs Of the most
exquisite finish. The skylght is seven
ty-two feet above the floor.
There could be nothing richer or
more magnificent than the stairways,
with their festoons of fruits and flow
ers and the turnposts surmounted by
two great bronze figures bearing stand
urds for electric lights The stalrcases
are also ornamented with twenty-six
marble figures by Martiny, representing