The Colorado statesman., 1922-04-29

Just across the park from the Capitol
OF the United States. Men say that
it is the most beautiful building in the
world, but this praise principally is
directed to the librarys interior.
The Washington Standard Guide
gives some satisfies about the library
which may be of interest. The grounds
and residences upon them which it
was necessary to condemn to secure
the site of the library cost the govern
ment something over half million
dollars The net cost exclusive of the
site was $6,032, 124.54, and the build
ing was completed just twenty-five
years ago.
The type of architecture of the IL
brary is of the so-called Italian re-
naissance. 1t has two stories with a
dome and 1t covers about three and
half acres Of ground with four large
inner courts. Windows to the number
of 1000 make 1t the best lighted
library in the world.
When one enters the library of con-
gress from the main door. If he is SEN
sitively inclined he feels at first a
sort of pin prick sensation. because
the effect of the decorations and the
general color scheme is rather start
ling. 1t seems too brilliant, but soon
the whole thing softens and the rare
beauty of the place, a really gentle
beauty. impresses itself upon one and
he knows that he is standing in rest
full and entrancingly beautiful sur
roundings
Quotations From the Walls.
The other day the writer visited the
library for the purpose of reading
some of the printed inscriptions which
fit into the details of the various de-
partments of the building and which
impress upon one the glories of learn
ing. On looking at the library. at its
vast shelves and books, at its pictor-
ial representations of the happenings
in the progress of the world he can
not fail to remember the words of the
epitaph of Greene, the historian of
the English people, who lies buried in
the south of France
On Greene'S monument are these
words: "He died learning" When one
surveys the wonderous array of art
y
of congress he becomes almost ap-
palled ut the thought of how much
there is to learn and he knows that
man can 80 through long life from
the day when he first learns to read
till the day of his death and through
it all be in a continual state of ac-
quirement of knowledge. He dies
learning.
Here are some of the quotations in
the library, inscribed in places where
there are either books or paintings
which make the quotations pertinent:
The poets, who on earth have made
us heirs
OF truth and pure delight by heaven
ly ays.-Wordsworth.
Memory is the treasurer and guar
dian of all things.-Cicero.
The true university of these days is
a collection of books.-Carlyle.
Nature is the art of God.-Sir
Thomas Browne.
Tongues in trees, book in the rum
ming brooks;
Sermons in stone, and good in
everything.-As You Like 1t.
Glory is acquired by virtue, but pre-
served by letters.-Petrarch
Books will speak plain, when coun-
selors blanch.-Bacon.
Ignorance is the curse of God,
knowledge the wing wherewith we
fly to Heaven.-Henry VI.
In books lies the soul of the whole
past time.-Carlyle.
These are only few quotations
which are found in the library The
walls are divided between wonderful
paintings and finely apt quotations.
Fine Saying of Dionysius.
1t seemed to me that the finest quo
tation of all, so far as its application
to the present day is concerned, is one
from Dionysius who, although not by
any means altogether a fine character,
was patron of literary men and ar
fists, and aspired to literary fame. The
quotation is this:
"The foundation of every state is
the education of its youth"
In the library civilizations progress
is shown in a section of the dome in
which are represented symbolically
the efforts of twelve nations to CON
tribute to educational progress, and
with this symbolic representation is
another showing the epochs in which
knowledge made rapid strides through