INTRODUCTION, 
Persons who are desirous to obtain a general 
idea of the contents of this extensive Repository, 
will probably be gratified by having a brief state- 
ment previously laid before them ; — I. Of the Cir- 
cumstances which gave rise to the Institution ; — 
IL Of its Gradual Increase ; — III. of its Constitu- 
tion, and the Regulations now in force for its pre- 
servation and useful application; — and IV. Of the 
present distribution of its numerous contents, in 
the several Departments into which it is divided. 
I. 
FOUNDATION BY PARLIAMENT. 
The project of a public establishment of this ttesio^wan 
nature was first suggested by the will of Sir 
b Hans 
