Often, moving into such a structure, was the suddenly made
rich and uncultivated man who, in building his new house, resolved
that it shall have the completeness of a grand mansion, and gave
orders to the architect to absorb the large sum of money he was
willing to spend for the display of his newly gotten wealth. He
would have, he declared, all that dollars could pay for, and, of
course, his new house "must not be without a butler's pantry and a
library."
 On
the second story of this ostentatious mansion, beyond, and
connecting with the gentleman's dressing-room, was the requested
library. This would be a cozy little apartment, containing a
bay-window and an alcove for books, separated from the main room by
a transom, beneath which curtains were hung, shutting off the alcove
entirely when the new owner, pretending to be somewhat of a literary
man, desired seclusion. This library would have an open timber
ceiling and a parquet floor, covered here and there with rugs. The
walls would be paneled to the height of the door with old English
wainscot, and the mantel and fireplace would be made of Sienna
marble. The library would also share the use of the toilet adjacent
to the dressing room, and adjoin the billiard-room in the rear.
For this man, the library, with its richly carved book-cases, was as
indiscriminately filled as the dusty shelves of a street bookstand.
This
stately apartment, perpetually smelling of morocco, varnish, and new
carpet, with its richly carved rosewood, plate glass, and book-backs
of gilt, was solely kept as one of the series of show-rooms in which
the proprietor of the house delighted in displaying his money's
worth.  The new master of the house sought his library only as the
quietest place wherein to doze over his newspaper or sleep off the
effects of his heavy dinner. Nevertheless,
this book filled apartment was not without a positive effect. At least the children of the gargantuan mansion were brought
up with the consciousness that at least there were such things as
books, and a place supposedly provided for the study of them, and it
is presumed that these offspring would have a better opportunity of
education than their unappreciative and drowsy sire.
On the other hand, when
study and reading
were the purposes of the library, the book filled apartment was
reserved for such, and no other occupations and diversions of the
family were allowed to interfere. The literary,
scientific, or professional man would have his library to suit his
particular purpose. His books and the apartment which contained them
were like the tools and workshop of a mechanic, and were adapted
more or less to his special needs. |
Then again
with some families the library, or study, was used as a place for
the children of the family to prepare the lessons set for them at
school or by the tutor; this library was
essentially a
family one. The room was spacious, properly ventilated, and
particularly well lighted. As it was chiefly intended for books, it
had broad, unbroken walls with sufficient space for the bookcases to
contain them. The library would have a window, or windows, at both
ends, and but one door. Open shelves were better than closed cases.
In all real libraries the books were displayed without glass or
other cover, so that they could be conveniently retrieved without
any preliminary fumbling with a key at a lock. The cases,
accordingly, remained open, and always kept a short distance away
from the wall. All the protection ordinary books required was
secured by means of strips of cloth tacked to the edge of each
shelf. This prevented the accumulation of dust.
A
table with a solid hold upon the floor, a broad cloth-covered
surface, and numerous easy-sliding drawers, a few well-cushioned
chairs, and a thick carpet or rugs, were the chief requirements of
the library, in addition to the books and the cases which contain
them. The book-cases were made so that the uppermost shelf was
within easy reach of the outstretched arm. Furthermore, when
constructed low, the bookcases offered good foundations for
statuettes and busts. For the warmth of
the feet while working at the table, a fur skin of some kind or
other was provided for them to rest upon. In addition to the library
table, a standing desk was recommended in cases of protracted study
or writing in order to frequently vary the posture of the body.
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