3 
Genius of the Thames. Presented by Lord 
Fred . Campbell . 
The decorations of the great staircase were 
restored a few years ago by Rigaud. The paint¬ 
ings on the ceiling, representing Phaeton peti¬ 
tioning Apollo for leave to drive his chariot, are 
by Charles de la Fosse, who, in his time, was 
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 In¬ 
valids, which are ranked among the admiranda 
of Paris. The landscapes and architectural de¬ 
corations are by James Rousseau, whose parti¬ 
cular skill in perspective has at all times been 
held in hio;h estimation. 
On the first landing-place are a Musk Ox, 
from Melville Island, and a Polar Bear; pro¬ 
cured in the late Arctic expeditions, and pre¬ 
sented by the Lords of the Admiralty . 
On the upper landing are a male and female 
Giraffe, or Camelopard, from South Africa, pre¬ 
sented by TV. J. Burchett , Esq,; a Great Seal, 
said to be from the north-west coast of Britain, 
and an Ursine Seal, presented by Capt. Filzroy , 
R.N. 
B 2 
UPPER 
