10 
ROOM VII. 
MSS. 
SALOON. 
Esq. historiographer to Queen Anne and 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 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 1769 by 
Earl Stanhope. 
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL HISTORY. 
THE 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 bv 
John Baptist Monover, the most eminent flower 
painter of his time. Over the chimney is a full 
length portrait of King George II., by Shackleton. 
This apartment contains the united collec¬ 
tions of Minerals of the Museum, a great part 
of 
