398 MEMOIR OF DANIEL TEEADWELL. 



After a good deal of discussion he acceiDted this appointment, and the com- 

 mission was two months later arranged with Mr. Treadwell as chairman ; the other 

 commissioners were Colonel James F. Baldwin and Hon. Nathan Hale. Their report 

 has already been given, at page 355. 



In 1837 the College Library had quite outgrown the capacity of Harvard Hall, 

 and another building, better suited to its administration had become a necessity. 

 Plans had been made by Mr. Richard Bond, an eminent architect, who had taken 

 as his model for the exterior King's College Chapel, at Cambridge, in England. 

 " On entering Gore Hall," says President Quincy, *' we are presented with two 

 ranges of columns, ten in each range, which rise from the floor to the ceiling. This 

 open space resembles the nave of a small cathedral, 112 feet long and 35 feet 

 high. The ceiling is formed of groined vaults, ornamented by ribs rising from the 

 columns and intersecting each other in various points. The appearance of the 

 whole is imposing ; hardly surpassed in eflTect by any room in this country. . . 

 In the construction of this edifice, it was determined at tlie outset to use every 

 precaution which the funds of the College would allow to guard the library from 

 destruction by fire." 



The construction of a building of this description, which should afford a large 

 ornamental hall for the meetings of the Alumni, a library for the arrangement, 

 storage, and delivery of books, and at the same time, with limited means, be guarded 

 from destruction by fire, was indeed a difficult problem. To solve this problem, 

 the Corporation, by vote on the 19th of January, 1837, " requested Professor Tread- 

 well to superintend the erection of the new library, with such assistance as he may 

 require, a liberal compensation being allowed for his services," and the following 

 communication was made to him by T. W. Ward, Esq., Treasurer of the College. 



Boston, January 21, 1837. 

 My dear Sir, — It is so important, in every view, to hare your services, (and I may add 

 almost indispensable,) that I cannot doubt you will comply with the wishes of the Corporation 

 and accept the superintendence of the building. You can have any assistance you may require 

 or desire, and I shall be greatly obliged by hearing from you in the affirmative. 



Dear Sir, very truly yours, 



T. W. Ward. 



Professor Treadwell, on accepting the office, found the plan and method of 

 construction of the interior already fixed. All the ornamental mouldings, the 

 groined arches, and their ribs, were of plaster, without wooden foundations, and so 

 far favorable for resisting heat. The ceiling, thirty-five feet from the floor, was of 



