9 
the originals of Magna Charta, belonging to the Cotto¬ 
nian Library; at the side, there is an Engraving of it in 
fae-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 Gar rich, Esq. 
A statue of the Hon. Anne Seymour Darner, holding 
in her hands a small figure of the Genius of the 
Thames. Presented by Lord Fred. Campbell. 
A gilt figure of Gaudma, a Burmese idol; and the 
symbolical representation of his foot. Both presented 
by Capt. Marry at, R. A 7 . 
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 by D. D. Inglis, Esq. 
Before the window on the left, adjoining the mes¬ 
senger’s small room, is a fine Hippopotamus. Pre¬ 
sented by 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, 
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 architectural decorations are by James 
Rousseau, 
