83 Dr. Barnes on the Affinity, &c. 
tragical death of that Great Prince, was the 
following: 
“ There was to be, fays he, a cabinet of 
state, in the Louvre, deftined to receive, 
whatever could tend to the knowledge of Finance , 
of Science, and of Art." After enumerating feveral 
of thefe, particularly relating to the army, fuch 
as lifts, plans, charts, See. &c. he adds, “ I con¬ 
ceived a fcheme, of appointing a large room, 
as a magazine of models , of whatever is mod 
curious in machinery, relating to war , arts , 
trade , &c. and all forts of exercifes, noble, 
liberal, and mechanical ; that all thofe, who 
afpired to perfection, might, without trouble, 
improve themfelves in this filent fchool. The 
lower apartments, were to hold the heavy pieces 
of workmanfhip and the higher, were to con¬ 
tain the lighter. An exad inventory of both, 
was to be one of the pieces of the great cabinet.” * 
What a pity is it, that this noble plan was not 
carried into execution! It would not have been the 
leaft of the embellilhments of the reign of Henry. 
It would have done honour to the Prince, and to 
the age. f I mean not to difparage the utility of 
our modern colled ions, of joff Is, Jhells, moffes , 
and infefts. They are the works of God ■, and, 
* 
* Sully’s Memoirs, Vol. IV. 
f I have been informed, that this plan is fince carried 
into execution, in the Palais Royal. 
therefore. 
