Subsequent accessions afterwards particularized are, 1. The Royal Collection of Books and Manuscripts given by King George II. with other advantages and encouragements. 2. The vast royal collection of pamphlets, given by his present Majesty, containing upwards of 30,000 articles bound in about 2000 volumes, most of the tracts being now become uncommonly scarce, and many of them probably unique. This circumstance naturally suggests the wish, that such of them as are valuable, and not in the Harleian Miscellany, or any similar work, should be reprinted as supplemental to those collections. 3. Other gifts of his present Majesty. 4. The Hamiltonian Collection, purchased by Parliament. 5. The Townleian Collection of statues and other sculptured marbles, also purchased by Parliament. 6. The Lansdowne Manuscripts, purchased in the same manner, since the death of the late Marquis of Lansdowne, and consisting chiefly of original and authentic documents relating to the history of England, particularly during the reigns of the Tudors; besides a number of miscellaneous collections made by several eminent statesmen and learned antiquaries. The whole forming an excellent supplement to the Cottonian Library, which, in the nature of its contents, it most resembles.

Though a different method is, for sufficient reasons, observed in the Synopsis, we shall continue to note the literary accessions together: these are, 6. Mr. Cracherode's fine collection of books, part of his extensive legacy to the Museum, and contained in the second room on the ground floor. 7. Dr. Birch's library, bequeathed by him, and consisting both of MSS. and printed books. 8. Books bequeathed by Mr. Tyrwhitt, and 9. by Sir William Musgrave. Besides several smaller donations by various individuals. 10. Dr. Bentley's Classics, most of them illastrated by his own hand, and lately purchased by the

trustees.

Additions of a different kind may be thus enumerated. 11. Greenwood's collection of stuffed birds, brought from Holland; and since much augmented by purchase and donation. 12. Mr. Hatchett's systematical collection of minerals. 13. Mr. Tyssen's Saxon coins. 14. Mr. Brander's fossils. 15. Coins. 16. Prints, 17. Minerals. 18. Shells. 19. Antique engraved gems; all left by Mr. Cracherode, as part of his noble legacy. 20. Various articles given by the late Thomas Hollis, Esq. 21. With drawings and other articles to a great amount, presented by the late Earl of Exeter. Of all these a more particular account will be found in the Synopsis itself.

The printed books are arranged in twelve rooms on the ground floor, and two on the basement story.

The rooms containing manuscripts, are now the third to the seventh inclusive, up stairs; and these are thus described :

DEPARTMENT OF MANUSCRIPTS.

Lansdowne Library of Manuscripts.

This library, which, having been lately acquired, is not yet finally arranged, consists of 1352 articles, of which 114 volumes contain an ample collection of Lord Burleigh's State Papers, many of them originals: 46 volumes of Sir Julius Cæsar's papers, all relative to the history of the time of Queen Elizabeth and King James I.: 108 volumes of historical collections of Dr. White Kennet, Bishop of Peterborough: a considerable number of original royal and noble letters and papers: some Chinese drawings; and a great store of historical, juridical, biographical, heraldical, and miscellaneous collections. *

The repertory to this library being at present nothing more than a sale catalogue, and of course very imperfect, will require to be newly constructed on the enlarged plan of the other catalogues belonging

FOURTH ROOM.

Sloanean and Birch's collection of Manuscripts.

A collection of MSS. bequeathed by the late Dr. Birch, consisting of 357 volumes, chiefly, on history, biography, divinity, and literature.

Sir Hans Sloane's library of MSS. consisting of 4100 volumes, principally on physic, natural history, and natural philosophy. It also contains Kæmpfer's MSS.; several journals of voyages; and some oriental MSS.

In a recess within this room are placed Mr. Halhed's and some other collections of oriental MSS. A collection of MSS. and rolls, consisting of 62 articles relating to Kent, purchased of Mr. Hasted: and some select MSS out of the other libraries in the Museum.

Over the chimney is a drawing of the palace of Columna near Moscow, which belonged to the Czars of Moscovy: it was built of wood, and is now demolished, Presented by the Honourable Percy Windham.*

FIFTH ROOM.

The greatest part of the Harleian Library of Manuscripts is deposited in this room.

SIXTH ROOM,

The remainder of the Harleian Library of Manuscripts is deposited in this room. Also

to this institution. Some progress has been made in this work; but it must be a considerable time before it can be completed.

* A catalogue of the contents of this room, and of most of the additional acquisitions in the fifth room, compiled by the Rev. S. Ayscough, was printed in the year 1772, in two volumes quarto.

† A compendious view of the arrangement of this Library is printed,

Many additions by gift, bequest, and purchase.

Among which are particularly remarkable, Fifty-seven volumes, containing a series of public acts relating to the history and government of England, from the year 1115 to 1608, collected by Thomas Rymer, but not printed in his Fœdera; and sixty-four volumes of rolls of Parliament: the whole ordered to be deposited in the Museum, by the House of Lords.

A collection, in forty-seven volumes, relating to the history of Ireland; presented by the Rev. Jeremiah Milles, Dean of Exeter.

Forty-three volumes of Icelandic manuscripts; presented, with a much more numerous collection of printed books, by the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. K. B.

Forty-one volumes, containing the decisions of the commissioners for settling the city estates after the fire of London; presented by Thomas Cowper, Esq.

Twenty-four volumes relating to the history of music, which, together with a considerable collection of printed books on the same subject, were bequeathed by Sir John Hawkins.

Twenty-seven volumes of music, chiefly motets, and other church music, by old composers, (Prænestini, Palestrina, Pergolesi, Steffani, Handel, &c.) bequeathed by James Mathias, Esq.

Thirty-eight volumes of inanuscripts, and nine of drawings, being a copious collection towards a topography and

and may be had, together with the Analytical Syllabus of the Library of Printed Books. A catalogue of these MSS. was printed in the year 1759, in two volumes folio; but the latter part of it was found so defective, that it became necessary to have it corrected and enlarged, This improved work is now completed, and forms three volumes folio. An Index, which is not yet finished, will probably form a fourth volume.

history of the county of Sussex; bequeathed by Sir William Burrell.

Forty-four volumes, 32 of which contain an obituary kept by the donor, and the rest being a collection of autographs, original warrants, and other documents, catalogues of portraits, &c. bequeathed, together with a considerable library of printed books, by Sir William Musgrave, Bart.

A numerous collection of manuscripts, chiefly relating to the County and University of Cambridge, bequeathed by the Rev. William Cole, M. A.

In the presses and XVI. are two rolls of the Pentateuch on vellum, the former of considerable antiquity, and the latter much more recent; this latter, together with a considerable number of Hebrew MSS. and printed books, was presented by Solomon da Costa, Esq;

Against the press hang three specimens of minute writing, forming the portraits of Queen Anne, Prince George of Denmark, and the Duke of Gloucester, their

son.

Against the press XVIII. hangs an original deed in Latin, written on Papyrus, being a conveyance of some land to a monastery, dated Ravenna, Ao. 572, bought at the sale of the Pinelli library. And opposite to it is a large specimen of the reed (Cyperus Papyrus) of which that kind of paper is made.

In the second window hangs an Italian note to Sir William Hamilton, written on modern papyrus, explaining the mode of preparing it.

SEVENTH ROOM.

The Royal Library of Manuscripts.

Deposited in XXXIII Presses.