2 
ROOM I. 
mere sight of the outside of books cannot convey 
either instruction or amusement.* 
The decorations of the great staircase have 
been lately restored. The paintings on the ceil¬ 
ing, representing Phseton petitioning 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 Invalids, which are ranked among 
the admiranda of Paris. The landscapes and ar¬ 
chitectural decorations are by James Rousseau, 
whose particular skill in perspective has, at all 
times, been held in high estimation. 
UPPER FLOOR. 
ROOM I. 
This room, in its present state of arrangement, 
contains miscellaneous collections. 
On the tables are deposited objects relative to 
technical mineralogy, or mineral substances in a 
wrought state, with the scientific and familiar 
names affixed to them. 
Lavas 
* An Alphabetical Catalogue of this Library was printed in the year 
1787, in two volumes folio; but as great accessions have been obtained 
of late, this Catalogue is now under revision, and a new edition, greatly 
enlarged, is in the press. 
