New-York tribune., 1908-01-12

,,,tsI divisions demanding structural definition
.nd the architects were between the two dan
-ers Of making their wall commonplace and
seas o- teasing il with meaningless decorative
evredients But they remembered the beauty
=, such close columnar effects as exist for in
stance. in the Temple Of Jupiter at Baalbec,
and using again that restraint TO which other
parts Of their building owe much, they gave
tie outside OF their stack room wall an extraor-
ainarily fresh and light character. a character
,as Of really living architecture. In contrast to
the other facades. this one may strike the un-
initiated a rather bare and perfunctory af-
fair; but let the observer who wants to grasp
The true strength OF this building look carefully
Al the hack Of it. and remembering that he is
looking at the stack room and the reading room,
ask himself IL those rooms are not vividly pro-
claimed 20 him in Just the arrangement of wall
and windows that he sees Let him consider,
100. how these features the cOrnice and the
roof above them hold together with the corner
payilions, and how the latter satisfy his eye,
bearing just the right relation to the walls they
sank- 1t is odds that after going through this
process and noting incidentally the effective
ness Of the little reading room balconies and the
ca-ved frieze below them he viii conclude that
this is not the ordinary neglected back Of
building. but beautiful piece Of architectural
design
a classical style is reduced 10 its simplest
terms on this side of the building. It takes on
warmer and richer color in the north and south
faCa6eS, and is raised, Of course, to an even
higher power in the front. The strength Of
these principal facades resides in the simple,
clear and thoroughly monumental articulation
- thel- parts. The central motive the Fifth
avenue side, the triple-arched portico. has
'usc degree Of projection and the pillared sec
non 5n either side, with its windows, is so de-
signed as 70 line and mass that, while suf-
Ecierty sub0Tdinate5 to the portiCO aforesaid, II
IS also sufficiently emphasized for its own sake.
So likewise, the corners have their proper ac-
cents bur do not unduly assert themselves The
relation Of the length Of the building TO its
height Is admirably fixed. It might be called
3 Ions low eGifIce but the attics looming up
above The outer roof line. provide the needed
corrective Outside the library. as within it,
: grave dignity rules, ornament being sparsely
used and the little Of il that IS introduced being
handled with severe taste.
As the building now stands. its beauty is
2 little cold. but 1t Will be heightened 70 some
ming like a glow when the last touches have
been given 10 the scheme. The pediments at
The Fifth avenue corners are TO be enriched
with sculpture Statues are 10 be placed above
she -4-rice OF the portico and in the niche
OF either side Of that feature a statue Will
-~-zs5a over fountain. Beside the large bowls
5--- which these fountains viii flow there
c-e 7zzezcaIs built into the broad flight of
steps n which gigantic carved vases VIII be
-.ace5 The plateau from which the FACADE rises
S 70 ta --aated II formal fashion partly paved
and partly given iup 10 turf. with & baIustrade,
stone benches and short fight Of steps near
% the -la f the public walk At either end
Of This -a-5arlike approach 70 the building lin
den trees vrIu be planted II carefully ordered
rows. and IN due course will be 50 clipped as
% b. brought within the essentially architect
r-aL ensemble aimed at. The result, when the
srr.-s plan Is carried out, should be far from
cold The note Of color which Will be deli
cate.- struck II the bronze grilles OF the win
55Vs VII L5e taken up by cleaning fountains
--5 -.--=..7 M -E7-or-4 grass and LEAKAGE The