( 10 ) 
room vii. tracts, transcripts, and notes, chiefly relating to 
mss. the Exchequer, collected by Thomas Madox, Esq. 
historiographer to Queen Anne mid King 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 XXL of 
the Cottonian library is the original of the Articles 
preparatory to the signing of the great Charter, 
perfect with the seal; presented Anno 1769 by 
Earl Stanhope. 
THE SALOON. 
The dome of this grand apartment was painted 
by the abovementioned La Fosse. It has gener¬ 
ally been described as representing the Apotheosis 
of Iris but the most probable conjecture is that 
the painter meant to exhibit the birth of Mi¬ 
nerva, that Goddess fully attired being the most 
prominent figure. Jupiter is immediately above 
her: and about him are three female figures with 
stars over their heads, administring to him ; one 
of 
* Walpole, in his Anecdotes of Painting, deviates still farther 
from the truth, by naming the subject the Apotheosis of Isis. 
