2 
ROOM I. 
mere sight of the outside of books cannot con¬ 
vey either instruction or amusement*. 
The decorations of the great staircase have 
been lately restored. The paintings on the ceil¬ 
ing, 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, whose particular skill in per¬ 
spective has at all times been held in high 
estimation. 
UPPER FLOOR. 
FIRST ROOM. 
This room, in its present state of arrangement, 
contains miscellaneous collections. 
In the table-cases are deposited objects relative 
to technical mineralogy, or mineral substances in 
a wrought state, with the scientific and familiar 
names affixed to them. 
Cases 1 to 10. Lavas and other volcanic 
productions, in large polished pieces, principally 
* 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, a new edition is now published, consisting of seven 
volumes 8vo. 
from 
