FLOOR.] 
19 
DEPARTMENT OF PRINTS AND DRAWINGS. 
EXHIBITION IN THE KING'S LIBRARY. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The primary object of the present Exhibition of Prints in the 
King's Library is to illustrate English History — so far as the 
scanty materials allow — by arranging in chronological order a 
collection of portraits of eminent Englishmen, together with a 
few representations of events in which these men were con- 
cerned. 
The series begins with apocryphal portraits of the early 
kings, Arthur, Egbert, Alfred, &c, and the consorts of some 
of them ; other portraits, as ancient as these, are copied from 
coins ; the portraits of later monarchs are surrounded by those 
of their eminent contemporaries, including statesmen, soldiers, 
and divines. 
The series terminates with likenesses of Charles the First 
and his family, and of a large number of distinguished persons 
of both sexes who lived in his reign ; among them is a remark- 
able interesting double portrait of Charles and Donna Maria of 
Spain, the object of his romantic visit to Madrid, here repre- 
sented with their hands joined, while Christ bestows a bene- 
diction on their union. 
This exhibition serves to illustrate the progress and condition 
of British art at various periods, by including the works of 
native engravers and of foreigners who lived in this country. 
It is noteworthy that although our forefathers largely used the 
services of able foreigners, they were not wholly dependent on 
their aid, or without native artists of merit. For instance, 
c 2 
