Libaries and Lighthouses

Libraries and Lighthouses are embedded in the psyche of this Bibliophile and descendent of Mariners.  I conjure up visions of ancient Egypt’s famed Alexandria Library with its remarkable collection of scrolls and the Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria’s Harbour which could be seen 30 miles out to sea, a remarkable feat of engineering at that time.  The Pharos was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Both Libraries and Lighthouses are beacons.  The Lighthouse guiding ships into safe harbour and the library guiding the seeker to illuminate the mind illustrates the immensity of their respective importance down through the ages.

In early history, light houses used many candles together to provide the Pillar with its light.   Automated lighthouses today are still measured in units of light called candle power.  The libraries of antiquity witnessed many candles burned to the socket down through the ages for the purpose of illuminating passages read.  Passages traveled and passages read have been with us since antiquity and have brought us to our present knowledge. 

Both hold a huge place in my heart and mind.

 My mother was an avid reader about and collector of all things pertaining to light houses. 

My father very much liked the following quotation:

Lead, kindly Light,

    Amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!
    The night is dark,
And I am far from home-
     Lead Thou me on!

                John Henry Newman,

                   Writer and Theologian (1801-1890)