10 
room vii. Esq. historiographer to Queen Anne and King 
mss. George I. and bequeathed by his widow as an 
addition to the Cottonian library. 
On the table, in a glazed frame, is the original 
of the Magna Charta, belonging to the Cottonian 
library; and on the side of it is a fac-simile 
engraving of it, by Pine.—Against press XXI. of 
the Cottonian library is the original of the Articles 
preparatory to the signing of the great Charter, 
perfect with the seal; presented Anno 17^'9 by 
Earl Stanhope. 
THE SALOON. 
saloon. The dome of this grand apartment was painted 
by the above-mentioned La Fosse. It has gene¬ 
rally been described as representing the Apotheo¬ 
sis of Iris ; but the most probable conjecture is, 
that the painter meant to exhibit the birth of Mi¬ 
nerva. The landscapes and architectural decora¬ 
tions are by the same J. Rousseau who painted in 
the staircase : and the garlands of flowers are by 
John Baptist Monoyer, the most eminent flower 
painter of his time. 
Over the chimney is a full length portrait of 
King George II., by Shackleton. In one of the 
windows stands a table, composed of a variety of 
volcanic substances, from Mount Vesuvius, pre¬ 
sented 
