10 



jMl -eum : also little children, who may be too young 

 ftb" benefit by the visit, are not allowed to proceed fur- 

 ther than the Hall. A glass' case in the room to the 

 right, contains one of the original Magna Chartas, and 

 an engraving from it by Pine. On the right, as he again 

 enters the Hall, is a fine specimen, from the chisel of 

 Roubilliac, of our immortal Shakspeare ; in a position, 

 we think, savouring a little of the French affectation of 

 the artist, though the execution is fine, even to imitation 

 of the wrinkles in the Silk Stockings. The statue of 

 Sir Joseph Banks, by Chantrey, is a striking contrast to 

 that of the Frenchman. Shakspeare seems delighted 

 with music, and about to commence a dance ; Banks, 

 as if wrapt in thought, and employed in solving a pro- 

 blem. On a line with Shakspeare, is the statue of a 

 sculpturess, (The Hon. Mrs Darner,) by Westmacotte, 

 the figure she holds in her hand is meant to represent 

 the Genius of the Thames. On the other side of Banks, 

 against the pier, is a Specimen of Hindoo Sculpture, 

 discovered near the banks of the sacred river Ner- 

 budda. Next the Messenger's Room, is an Hippopot- 

 amus, 



On ascending the Staircase, he may see represented 

 on the ceiling Phseton petitioning Apollo for leave to 

 drive his chariot, by De La Fosse : also landscapes and 

 flowers on the wall ; the former by Rousseau, the latter 

 by Baptist Monnoyer. Between the animals on the land - 

 ing place, is a species of Palm tree. The Musk Ox 

 near it, was shot by Capt. Parry's party, in one of his 

 expeditions to the Polar Seas ; who tells us, they defend 

 themselves by their powerful horns against wolves and 

 bears, which they often kill : the Musk Oxen always 

 herd together, and the closer when attacked ; and when 

 wounded dart in the most furious manner. The Giraffes 

 on the top of the Staircase, are now less interesting from 

 the opportunity the public have of seeing them in all 

 their beauty of form and grace of attitude, in the Zoo- 

 logical Gardens, in Regent's Park. On the ceiling of 

 the 



