Page:Library Construction, Architecture, Fittings, and Furniture.djvu/276

252 painted in the deepest tones of blue and purple. A wainscot 11 feet in height, of light-coloured oak, handsomely panelled, and with Corinthian pilasters, is in strong contrast, and above this, along two sides of the room, are the series of cartoons painted by Mr. Edwin A. Abbey, illustrating "The Quest of the Holy Grail." Mr. Abbey's pictures are five in number, and occupy the entire space between the wainscot and the ceiling on the north and west walls of the room. All are 8 feet in height, but they vary in length from 6 to 33 feet. They contain about a hundred life-size figures, and are the result of four years' study and labour. The artist received $15,000 for his work upon them.

On the same floor is the trustees' room and passage to the stack-rooms. A room for the librarian is in the mezzanine storey, and a smaller room, in which is stored the valuable collection of autographs and manuscripts presented by Judge Chamberlain. Other rooms not calling for special mention are used for the storage of patents, both American and foreign, and for newspaper reading.

The upper floor of the library (Fig. 116) over the stack-rooms is devoted to the special collections for which Boston is somewhat famous. Here are shelved in alcoved rooms, lit from the roof and from windows opening into the corridor, which runs around three sides of the internal court, the Barton, Barlow, Prince, Ticknor, and other collections. Over one of the rooms is a photographic studio, for use in making reproductions of any of the books or manuscripts.