The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1912-06-22

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Literature; France. Emancipation; and Amer.
lea, Science
In the crown Of the great lantern Of the
dome is painted The Human Understanding
an allegoricaI figure of woman floating
among the clouds and attended by two chill
dren geni.
The artistic mural decoration of the interior
is upon magnificent scale and the paintings
in each of the many pavilions, corridors and
galleries are 50 numerous that no attempt
can be made III this article to give a descrip-
ton of them. Every artistic design has pur-
pose and meaning in every stroke of the art
lists brush, In every curve and line wrought
by the scuptor's chisel. The completed build
Ing stands today as the highest expression Of
American art the greatest monument yet
erected to American genius.
The eight acres Of floor space contained In
the building are utilized as follows: On the
ground floor are the copyright office, reading
room for the blind, superintendent and dis
bursting office, bookbnding department. print
ing department., music rooms, mail ROOM
lockers, etc. The first floor contains the main
reading room, the librarians room, periodical
reading room, senator's reading room, repre-
sentatiyes' reading room, map end chart
rooms, administration rooms. The second floor
Is taken up with the galleries, pavisions and
rooms filled with exhibits of rare engrayings,
manuscripts, prints, rare books, first editions,
portraits of the presidents and other eelebrat-
ed personages. The attic floor contains
kitchen and restaurant. rooms for print re-
pairs manuscript repairs, photography docu-
ments and copyright storage.
In 1914 the library, consisting Of about 5000
Volumes was burned by the British troops.
Congress made fresh start by purchasing
the Thomas Jefferson library OF about 1000
volumes, which grew until in 1851 1t had about
$4,000 volumes. Another fire thens destroyed
all but 10000 Of these. The country had grown
so much in wealth by this time, however, that
this was but temporary check, and the libra
ry quarters In the Capitol were promptly re-
stored and many Of the books which had been
destroyed were replaced. In 1857 the Peter
Force collection Of Americana, consisting Of
about $4,000 articles, was purchased for $11O,-
000 and the acquisition in the same year Of
the library Of the Smithsonian institution, con-
sisting of 10000 volumes, brought the total
up to over 100000 volumes. The copyright
law Of 1846 required the deposit Of one copy
OF each book copyrighted in the library, and
an act was passed in 1870 which placed the
registration Of copyrights under the care Of
the librarian Of congress- and required the de
post Of two copies of each book or article
copyrighted thus assuring the acquisition OF
books published In the United States.
ne rapid progress OF the library dates from
1864. when Dr. A. r. Spofford was appointed
librarian. His tireless energy and unfagging
zeal increased the acquisitions until In 1897.
the date OF his retirement, it had grown to
more than 100000 books and pamphlets, and
he necessity for more spacious quarters had
'een realized for some years. In 1885 the con-
'tructlon OF a new building was authorized
Ina eleven years later this was completed at
cost of s6.347, 600, on site bought for $685.
700 This Is the present home Of the third
argest library in the world. That the cost Of