xli 
ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 
by the principal staircase, and enter the exhibition rooms of the Zoolo- 
gical Department. These rooms form part of the southern, the whole 
of the eastern and part of the northern sides of the upper floor. 
The Fossils and Minerals which are next described, are contained in 
the remaining part of the northern side. The Botanical exhibition is 
displayed in two rooms in the southern front of the building, which 
are entered from the Mammalia Saloon. 
Following still the order of the Guide, the visitor will descend the 
principal stairs to the hall, and enter the Department of Antiquities 
by the doorway already mentioned, near the south-western angle. 
The antiquities occupy the whole of the western parts of the ground 
floor, several rooms connected therewith on the basement, and the 
western side of the upper floor. 
Should visitors wish to proceed at once to any particular part of 
the exhibition, instead of following the course of the Guide, a refer- 
ence to the plans of the two principal floors of the Museum prefixed 
to this work will enable them to do so. 
In addition to the parts of the building already indicated, the 
Grenville room, the Manuscript Saloon, the Royal Library, and the 
Gold-Ornament Room are open to visitors on public days. 
The entrance to the Grenville room is on the eastern side of the 
hall, under the clock. In this room is deposited the splendid library 
bequeathed to the nation in 1847 by the Right Hon. Thomas Gren- 
ville, a marble bust of whom, by Comolli, stands in a recess on the 
southern side. Here, as well as in the Royal library, are exhibited 
various printed books, selected to show the progress of the art of 
printing, with specimens of ornamental and curious binding.* From 
the Grenville library the visitor proceeds to the Manuscript Saloon, 
where selections of manuscripts, charters, autographs, and seals are 
arranged for inspection.* The visitor next enters the Royal library, 
and here, besides the printed books already mentioned, are exhibited 
some interesting and valuable specimens from the department of prints 
and drawings.* 
J. W. J. 
* See the several Guides to these exhibitions, separately printed and sold in 
the Museum, price one penny and twopence each. 
