THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 023 
'•Kiiigh deprived, at the termination of the contest with 
Stance, of so many chej's-d' oeuvres of art, still contain 
■others which render them highly interesting. The finest 
productions of Le Brun, several of them on an immense 
*'-'ale, still remain ; as do likewise the matchless marine 
Pr'iiuings by Vernet; the truly sublime works of Poussin, 
*^oiisisti3g of the chief of .his masterpieces ; together with ma- 
!jy choice paintings by Rubens, Wouvermans, De Witte, kc. 
^any of the statues remaining in the Hall of Antioues are 
Pkewise admirable specimens of sculpture. 
In the gallery of the Louvre a very curious collectioa of 
**rodels, representing the fortresses of France and other 
Countries, was once exhibited ; but was removed to the end 
’*'at the paintings might be seen witll greater effect. The.se 
l^odels, executed in the reign of Louis XIV. and amount' 
'“'g to upwards of one huitdred and eighty, were wrought 
'''itli the greatest accuracy, and so naturally, as to represent the 
®«veral cities which they describe, with their streets, houses, 
‘tlitares, and churches, together with the works, moats, 
*>fidges, aii 4 rivers, not neglecting the adjacent territor}', as 
'Consisting of plains, mountains, corn-lands, meadows, gar- 
'letis, woods, kc. Several of these models were so con- 
^dved as to be taken in pieces, to the end tliat the curious 
observer might be better enabled to perceive ilieir admirable 
'Construction. 
THE BRITISH MUSEUM 
'^Ris grand national collection of antiquities, books, and 
03 tural curiosities, is placed in the noble house formerly be- 
loiiging to the Duke of Montagu, in Great Russel- street, 
Bloomsbury. It Is a stately edifice, in the French style of 
jBe reign of Louis XIV. and on the plan of the Thuilleries. 
Bite celebrated French architect, Peter Paget, wai sent 
over from Paris, by Ralph, first Duke of Monta^i, ex- 
I’fessly to construct this splendid mansion, which is, per- 
”"ps, better calculated for its present purpose than for a 
Piivate residence. 
The British Museum was establishtid by act of parlia- 
^®nt, in 1753, in consequence of the will of Sir Hans 
^loane, who left his museum to the nation, which he de- 
tclared in his testament, cost him upwards of fifty tliousand 
P'cuuds, on condition tliat parliament should pay t'ventj 
