Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/710

 570 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [Mar., SECRET DOORS TO LIBRARIES WE are not at all partial to any deceptions whatever, generally speaking ; but, in the fitting up of large libraries, it often occurs, that proper in- terior display and convenience of ingress and egress — from other parts of the edi- fice, than those in immediate communi- cation with the principal entrances — demand the introduction of small por- tals, whose coverings are mostly called secret-doors, but, occasionally, jib-doors. These are so contrived, as to present the appearance of shelves, well filled with books, and on a line, or flush, with the real shelves of the libraiy ; and they thus maintain the general effect, which otherwise would be disagreeably broken by these very convenient, but rather abrupt and unhandsome doorwaj'S. Here scope is afforded for the most inveterate punster, the most subtle wit ; and many literary celebrities have availed themselves of the tempting op- portunity. According to the distinguished British architect, Richard Brown, some very curious devices are to be met with, on a jib-door to a book-case, in the library at Killerton Park, the seat of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, M. P., of Broad Clist, Devonshire, England. As specimens, Mr. Brown gives, from his note-book, "Playfair, on the Late Formation of Trap," " Friend's Right of Entrance," " Continuation of Chambers," " Pasquin at Home," "Treatise on the Law of Partitions," " Trap on Fictitious En- tries," " Mullington on Covered Ways," " Noah's Log Book," and " Snug's the Word— By a Clerk of the Closet." The titles on the sham books, or dummies, near the hinges are equally appropriate, but even quainter, as " Squeak on Openings," "Bang on Shuttings," and " Hinge's Orations." We offer: — "Hare on Speed," "Two Rabbits, not Welsh," "The Unexpected Opening," " Blackstone on Quarries," "This One Deceit a Merit," "Plus Ul- tra," "The Guileless Imposition," "Coz- ening for Cousins," and "Blocks no Bar." Garrick's sitting-room, in his resi- dence at the Adelphi, London, had a jib-door, so contrived, as to appear, when shut, precisely like the other parts of the room, so that it was not easily found, save by those pretty well used to it. Of this, a neat little anecdote is re- lated by Northcote, who himself had it from .Garrick, when thej^ were both, one dajr, in Sir Joshua Reynolds' studio, which had a similar secret door. It seems that on one occasion, a tailor came to see Garrick upon business, which being presently finished, the tai- lor, bowing himself away, and turning to leave the room, was utterly unable to find the door ; in his comic confusion searching all around the room for the portal, which he knew had admitted him ; and thus affording much amuse- ment to Garrick, before that histrionic worthy divulged the secret, and suffered him to depart. Brown remarks, that this kind of door always requires time and care to execute really well ; and instances, as perhaps the most difficult and ingenious, as well as largest door of this sort, one at Northumberland House, in the outer court wall adjoining the Strand, and at the right hand of the general entrance- gate towards Charing-Cross. The face of the door is painted to imitate the brick wall of the house itself, with which it ranges ; and so well is the whole per- formed, that it would be very trouble- some for a stranger to find it, though the door is of immense size, being de- signed to admit carriages. The whole iron railing outside also moves, in mass with the door itself, whenever it is opened, which is only at stated times, for parties or routs.