XVI 
INTRODUCTION* 
stitution, has recently accepted an offer,, made by 
the executors of the late Marquis of Lansdown, 
for the purchase of his valuable collection of ma- 
nuscripts, and to add it to the several copious 
libraries of the same nature already in the Mu- 
seum. The vote, for this purpose, passed in the 
year ISO? ; and the sum granted, according to 
the best valuation that could be made, amounted 
to «5c4,<)25. Its merit, very similar to that of the 
Cottonian Library, consists chiefly in original and 
authentic documents relating to the history of 
England, particularly during the reigns of the 
Tudors ; besides a number of Collectanea of a 
miscellaneous nature, made by several eminent 
statesmen and learned antiquaries. 
GrevMes An opportunity having presented itself in the 
Minerals. n , „ 
course of the year 1810, of acquiring the 
extensive Collection of Minerals formed by the 
late Right Hon. Charles Greville, the Trustees, 
in a Petition to the House of Commons, recom- 
mended the purchase thereof, for the use of the 
public. A committee was accordingly appointed, 
who, having deliberated on the subject, and 
taken the depositions of the most eminent Mine- 
ralogists they had the means of consulting, re- 
ported the opinion of these referees as follows : 
" That they considered the entire Collection to be 
" equal 
