Page:A Brief Outline of the Histories of Libraries.djvu/102

96 more experienced architects did not think that the ceilings of libraries should be gilded, or that the floors should be made of any but Carystian marble; this because the glitter of gold is rather tiring to the eyes, while the green of Carystian marble rests them.

This is good advice from whomever it may have come. True it is, as my own experience proves, that a brilliant light is disturbing to the attention and makes writing difficult; and green is a colour which seems to rest and refresh the eyes.

Boethius adds something further to this subject of decoration, when he says, in his book on Consolation, "The walls were decorated with ivory and glass."