Fig. 117. General view of the Library of the Escõrial, looking north.
In order to exhibit the distinctive peculiarities of these remarkable cases as clearly as possible, I give ([fig. 118]) an enlargement of part of the former view; and further, an elevation of one of them drawn accurately to scale ([fig. 119]), for which I have to thank a Spanish architect, Don Ricardo Velasquez.
These bookcases have a total height of rather more than 12 ft, measured from the floor to the top of the cornice. The desks are 2 ft. 7 in. from the floor, a height which corresponds with that of an ordinary table, and suggests that they must have been intended for the use of seated readers, though seats are not provided in the library at present. The section of the shelf and desk placed beside the elevation shews that there is a convenient slope to lay the books against. The uppermost of the four shelves is at a height of 9 ft. from the ground, so that a ladder is required to reach the books. The two photographs which I have reproduced (figs. [117], [118]) shew that they have the fore-edge turned outwards, according to what is, I am informed, the usual custom in Spain.
Fig. 119. Elevation of a bookcase, and section of a desk in the Library of the Escõrial.
Fig. 121. Interior of the Ambrosian Library at Milan. From a photograph taken in 1899.