The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-08-22

building is worthy memorial to that
great man.
1t calls to ones mind the Greek
Parthenon. Like the Parthenon, il
stands on high eminence, and its
architecture also recalls that master
piece of Greek construction. This me-
mortal building is of pure white marble.
and is said to be one of the finest works
of architecture in America One ap-
proaches it up two flights of wide stone
steps AS one gains the entrance one
steps between beautiful Doric columns.
30 in number and in the purest style
of Grecian architecture The Sc COL
umns surround the building on its
four sides and represent the states Of
the Union at the time Lincoln was
president. II my memory does not fail
me. these marble columns are 90 FEET
high with a cap on each adding an adj
dional feet. Above the columns one
finds 48 sculptured festoons typifying
the states of the Union as now con-
stituted
Within and against the back wall of
the memorial there is a massive statue
of Lincoln, seated figure, raised few
feet above the floor. An indication of
its size can be given in this, that l, who
am six feet TALL was told by an at
tendant that | could easily walk be-
meath the bent leg Of the statue as it
sits in its massive chair Although Of
heroic proportions, yet the work has
been SO beautifully and skillfully done
that it looks as though the great presi-
dent could almost speak to one, as one
stands in reverent thought before him.
One writer says: "The great Elnanci-
pator's character-his patience, his
strength, his gentleness and intelligence
have been faithfully expressed by the
sculptor" Behind and above the statue,
cut in the marble wall, there is this in
scription:
4In this temple, as in the hearts OF the
people. for whom he saved the Union.
the memory of Abraham Lincoln is
forever enshrined"
On the walls at the right and left,
are the Gettysburg speech and his
Second Inaugural address, cut into the
stone. And as ! stood and read that
Second Inaugural was deeply stirred
by the purity Of its English, by the
clarity and force Of its logic, by the
apparent faith of the man in a higher
Power, and by the greatness and just
ness of his kind heart. ! suggest
the careful reading of the Second In
augural by anyone and everyone who
has real interest in pure English and
clear logic.
Above the Gettysburg speech and the
Second Inaugural are mural paintings.
in which the artist has told allegorically
Of the ideals of Lincolns life There
are six groups, each against back ;
ground of cypress trees, symbols Of
eternity.
A subdued light Sits down through
thin slabs Of marble, suffusing the in
terror and softly lighting the face Of
the kindly Lincoln. We returned to
this lovely spot at night to see this
beautiful memorial when lighted by
electricity, and carried away with US
a memory that is precious. If we had
seen nothing in Washington but this
iStiiaa hobiC AIiilIOjlt Il6iltDildJs We
would have felt the visit was we'll
worth while.
Beautiful Beyond Description.
We were told that we ought to visit
the Library of Congress at night--that
it gave its most beautiful effect under
light. That we did, and right here and
now we give our verdict that it is
utterly impossible to give any adequate
description of this most remarkable
building. 1t stands among Americas
highest architectural achievements. The
foundations of this building cover a
little more than 3A acres. The struc-
ture is of Italian Renaissance architec-
ture. 1t is 470 feet long and $40 feet
wide and provides 1874 acres of floor
space, not including four courts and
a large central rotunda. 1t is easily the
largest and finest library building in
the world, say those who know
Gloriously beautiful and highly dec
GRATED stairways lead from one floor
to another The walls Of entire corridors
are. solid masses of beautiful inlaid
work. with lovely figures and designs
worked out in them Marvelously beau
tiful mural paintings are found in great