Evening star., 1942-06-07
Historic Lithoerabhs at
Library of Congress.

DeSplJe CIle IdCG IlldG Ildlly VI
our greatest treasures of art, which
were removable, have been with
drawn and sent or placed where
1t Is hoped that if bombs are
dropped from the sky they will not
reach them, much that is interest
ing remains and is being utilized
for special exhibitions.
OF such is that of Autographs
and other prints setting forth the
American scene of yesterday, which
has been arranged by the Division
of Fine Arts of the Library of Con-
gress and is on view in the great
west hall on the second floor. This
exhibition, which is not entitled,
should properly be shown under
the banner, MY Country, 'Tfs OF
Thee." for from first to last 1t
breathes Of patriotism and pride.
This was habitual in the olden
DAYS. What we had was OF exag-
perated interest and Importance.
And why not? Indeed, lady from
the South. visiting New York in 1928,
recorded in her journal the over
whelming impression made upon
approach to the city by its tower
ing buildings" and told OF the bril-
lance of Broadway (the great
"White Way'D when only nlumined
bv gas lets behind glass beakers
filled with colored liquids! Also
of a balloon ascension In Battery
Park. AS A. Edward Newton once
remarked, it does at times seem as
though "the world did not go on and
on but round and round"
However, the old washington as
seen in the prints now on view
In the Library of Congress mas IN
deed little resemblance TO the
Washington of today. lts 10"
buildings, wide and almost empty
streets. its horse-drawn vehlcies'
make sharp contrast to scenes lelt
behind but a few minutes. upon
entrance into the Library's quiet
and spacious halls. The Capltol is
seen with its old dome, low ana
inconspicuous. There are oInei
EQUALLY notable alterations. WASH
ineton was then as it has become
again a city of magnificent ols-
tances"-but lovely city still.
perhaps the difference between
an New York and the present
metropolis are even more marKeu,
There is q charming print OF oio
st Paurs Church on lower Broad
nav which faces away from the
thorourhfare and, it will be remem-
hered still stands in its old burylng
oro,,nd. a pool of quietness amio
the buzz of present-day commercial
life The old Custom House on
wall street is also shoWn-a Ilie
niece Of classical archltecture-a
landmark in American history. lt
uas customary in the old days 10
forsake the city in summer ano
visit the resorts" not a few OF
which are here pictured, as 1or
Saratoga with its famous
racetrack and, in Virginia, no less
noted and health-giving springs,
This exhibition opens, however
with prints of famous naval vessels
and includes portraits OF some OF
their heroic commanders, as wen
as the statesmen and lawmakers
who helped them to victory, or re-
tarded it. according to current oelie1
by delinquency of legislation. LOOK
ing at the prints of boats which
went into action the wonder is that
thev were ever able to achieve VIC
tory because OF their rigging and
manpower for handling required.
Obviously these are not lrrepiac-
able works of art. Perhaps they
are hardly works of art at all, when
compared with the best, but they
served their purpose, and, in many
instances, they were remarkably
well drawn. For the most part they
were produced before photography
had come into common use. Some,
indeed, before it's discovery. Their
object was to bear witness with
sincerity and truth and this they
do to a remarkable degree. Further
more, they were done with an evil
dent enthusiasm so that one turns
from the collection with a mingled
feeling Of sadness and pride.