the originals of Magna Chartci, belonging to the Cotto¬ 
nian Library; at the side, there is an Engraving of it in 
fac-simile, by Pine. 
The Entrance Hall contains, 
A statue in marble of Shakespeare, by Roubilliac. 
Bequeathed to the British Museum, after the death of 
his Widow, hy David Garrick , Esq. 
A statue of the Hon. Anne Seymour Darner, holding 
in her hands a small figure of the Genius of the 
Thames. Presented hy Lord Fred . Campbell . 
A gilt figure of Gaudma, a Burmese idol; and the 
symbolical representation of his foot. Both qiresented 
hy Capt. Marryat , R. N. 
Against the pier between the iron gates which lead 
to the great staircase, is a statue of the late Sir Joseph 
Banks, by Chantrey. It represents the great naturalist, 
not as he was in his latter days, feeble and lame, but 
hale and vigorous; he is seated in an arm-chair, hold¬ 
ing a scroll in his right hand. The figure is raised 
upon a marble pedestal. Presented by the personal 
Friends , at whose expense the statue was made. 
On the other side of the pier, is a specimen of Hindoo 
sculpture, discovered in 1809, near the banks of the 
sacred river Nerbudda; a fragment, probably, of an 
ancient temple. Presented hy D. D. Inglis , Esq . 
Before the window 7 on the left, adjoining the mes¬ 
senger’s small room, is a fine Hippopotamus. Pre¬ 
sented hy the Trustees of the Hunterian Collection , of 
the Royal College of Surgeons. 
The decorations of the great staircase were restored 
a few years ago by Rigaud. The paintings on the 
ceiling, representing Phaeton petitioning Apollo for 
leave to drive his chariot, are by Charles de la Fosse, 
w ho, in his time, v as deemed one of the best colourists 
of the French school, and of whom there are many 
valuable performances in France; among which are the 
paintings on the cupola of the dome of the Invalids, 
w hich are ranked among the admiranda of Paris. The 
landscapes and architectural decorations are by James 
Rousseau, 
