i© 
boom vii. historiographer to Queen Anne and King George 
Mss * I. and bequeathed by his widow as an addition to 
the Cottonian library. 
On the table in a glazed frame, is the original of 
the Magna Charta, belonging to the Cottonian 
library ; and on the side of it is a fac-simile 
engraving of it, by Pine—Against press XXI. of 
the Cottonian library is the original of the Articles 
preparatory to the signing of the great Charter* 
perfect with the seal ; presented Anno 1/6,9 by 
Earl Stanhope. 
THE SALOON. 
The dome of this grand apartment was painted 
by the above-mentioned La Fosse. It has gene¬ 
rally been described as representing the Apotheosis 
of Iris but the most probable conjecture is, that 
the painter meant to exhibit the birth of Mi¬ 
nerva, that Goddess fully attired being the most 
prominent figure. Jupiter is immediately above 
her: and about him are three female figures with 
stars over their heads, administering to him ; one 
of them pouring nectar, or some healing ointment, 
upon his head. On one side of Minerva is Vulcan ; 
and close to him Cupid with an axe in his hand : 
on the other side is Mercury, seemingly starting 
to 
* Walpole, in his Anecdotes of Painting, deviates still farther 
from the truth, by naming the subject the Apotheosis of If is* 
