Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/272

248 commissioned to fill. Along the west wall, and facing the windows, are ten other panels, which are also to be decorated as time and funds permit. A narrow frieze runs round the. room between the piers, containing in gilt letters the names of famous men. There are thirty-two in all, and it is curious to note that no American finds a place amongst them. The Englishmen number four, and are Shakespeare, Bacon, Milton, and Newton.

The main entrance to Bates Hall is, as has been already stated, from the staircase corridor. Over the doorway is a beautiful little balcony of Indiana limestone, richly sculptured, and the most elaborate piece of carving in the building. It is reached from the staircase which leads up to the second floor of the back portion of the building, and is a fitting shrine for the bust of Joshua Bates, who gave the library in its early days $100,000, and after whom this noble room is called. The room is shelved under the windows of the east and west walls with open bookcases of oak. They contain about 7000 volumes of reference works, and may be used without the filling up of a form. There are thirtythree tables, 12 feet long by 3! feet broad, each provided with eight chairs, and give seating accommodation for 264 persons. Each table, however, could easily seat ten if required, and so increase the number to 330. All the tables are provided with electric lamps fitted in bronze standards, and the room generally is lit from tall lamps in front of each pier. The books are obtained from the counter of the delivery room, and are brought