Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-12-15

I'd wholly in the elegance of Widener
Library? Can it's contribution to the
life of it's day ever be forgotten by
Harvard? Does it not hold an immor-
tai part in the memories of those who
knew it.
Gore Hall-the old, narrow, Gothic
vaulted reading-room of the Library of
Harvard College-lTow it impressed the
young freshman who entered it in the
70's! Let us step hack and look in up
on the hall before even the New Part
was added The catalogue cases ran
the length of the room, and a few
tables accommodat ted the few stud
ents who cared for further acquaint-
ance with books. The catalogue was an
old printed folio volume with supple
ments; and it was continued on cards
Of new and incomplete Author Cata-
ogue." The convenient card system
had been then but lately adopted by
libraries. Besides the author cata-
logue, there was Subject Catalogue"
so carefully classified and scientifically
arranged that 1t usually bafled the un
initiated. 1t was the care and delight
of it's scholarly originator, Ezra Abbot.
Where We're the books? Withdrawn be-
hind mo Admittance" bars, into al
coves in front OF each window. Still
further retired in the gallery above
were other books. Looking toward this
gallery, one saw in bright relief the
names of generous donors of funds. At
one end was a case holding the yalua-
BILE manuscripts of Jared Sparks, and
above 1t hung a portrait of Charles
of mi
stood on pedestals here and there.
Among the Living lmmortas.
Books were very precious in the eyes
of the kindly librarian, Mr. Sibley,
guardian genius of this store. He could
step quickly into the hall from his lit
tie sanctum at the side to advise a
student or to greet a friend. Now he
would admonish some one about doubl-
ing over a page, now correct his neigh
Dor at the table about a careless turn
ing Of leaves. One would not know that
he was a heavy man. so light was his
tread and so quick his movements. If
the assumed gruffness of tone fright
ened the boy, "a glance into the merry
eyes probably re-assured him. Mr.. Sib-
ley's attitude toward the students was
that of father toward very ignorant
children. These boys don't know a
book from a ball. he would say Ev-
cry piece of print had value to him.
Sometime it may be of use to some
body" He was a great admirer of a
clear handwriting. His own ehirogra-
phy was irregular and obscure. and his
manuscript was still more tax upon
the printers, because written upon
scraps of paper (old envelopes and
backs of ietters) pasted together. In
his student life at Exeter. Mr.. Sibiey
had not had the means to procure all
the text books he needed. his nfst
earnings as a man. were gratefully de-
voted to the establishing of the Sib-
Low Fund at Phillips Exeter fer the
purpose of supplying books to needy
students.
student who browsed in the classic
shades of Gore Hall in those days soon
learned to know toward what particu-
lar aIcove each professor on entering
would be aiming. The boy might DC
pardoned if there were half hours
when he cared 40 study these dlstlh-
puished faces more than his DOCKS, loI
had not their names and WORKS iois
been household treasures? Iheh' too'
the very narrowness of the quarters
threw MS into close touch with the I'M
mortals in a Uay not afforded by mod
ern spaciousness. The valuable lpra
ries of DR.. Walker and of Charies sum
ner were tumbled about our feet peIore
they were shelved; the princely eie-
phantos of the Czar of all the Russlas
Law upon the foor and great men sa'
Mt our elbows when consulting the cy-
clopaedias and dictionaries.
Bars Down.
There came Torrey, watchful Tor hls
history alcove that 1t be supplied WIN
everything new and valuable. HIS illle'
| cut face and ring of silver curls IRE
ouently graced alcoves sixteen anu
Fleven. It was he who first took down
the mo Admittance" bars and opened
his alcove for the free access OF ms
students, placing in it tables anu
chairs. and making it attractive tha'
his classes might love to live with the
books and not merely refer to them'
| DR.. A. p. Peabody might pass SLOW
w along with his hands behind MIN II
ouiet conversation with some equaiis
venerable co-laborer, Alien q Ireeh'
ough. Goodwin & White, We're ho'
hooks then, but men sitting at our
common study tables. The honor-stua'
ent in mathematics might be caugh'
closing his book to look up in awe al
the Peirces, the depths of whose knowi'
edge only a Newcomb or an ohVei
could comprehend. Occasionally, too
the strangely attractive face OF Profes'
sor Sophocles could be seen, with eyes
| like deep blue lakes set IN shragss
mountains Cranch, with his artist
lcountenance, came in now and then
Longfellow, the poet, and Emerson tne
philosopher added the halo Of then
presence.
Lectures Shared with the Public.
Those were the days of the uni
yersity Lectures" open to outsiders
Lowell was giving an introduction to
Don Quixote. Norton was reading the
Vita Nuova, Bocher translating Mo-
liere into exquisite English, Paine In
terpreting the great masters, ano
DIR, Hedge and Bayard Taylor lectur-
ing on German literature. All this
feast was shared with the OUTSIDE
public-a foretaste of University Ex-
tension" Professor Child, who graceo
the course with his readings from
f~T NlT