BRITISH MUSEUM. In p. 287 of the present volume, we gave a History of the Foundation and Progress of this National Institution; we now insert a Synopsis of the Contents of this magnificent and interesting Repository, 1808. On entering the gate of the Museum, a spacious quadrangle presents itself, with an Ionic colonnade on the south side, and the main building on the north; the two wings being allotted for the dwellings of the officers. This building measures 216 feet in length, and 57 in height. The Architect, Peter Puget, a native of Marseilles, and an artist of the first eminence in his time, was sent over from Paris by Ralph, first Duke of Montagu, for the purpose of constructing this Mansion. GROUND FLOOR. The Library of Printed Books Is on the first floor of this grand Edifice, Consisting of twelve rooms. Strangers are not conducted through these apartments, as the mere sight of the outside of books cannot convey either instruction or amusement. They are arranged under fourteen general heads. The room containing Ecclesiastical History is at present the Reading Room. The cieling, representing the fall of Phaeton, was painted by La Fosse. 2d Room empty at present. Department of Manuscripts. 3d Room. Lansdown Library of Manyscripts. 4th Room. The Collections of MSS. by Sir H. Sloane-Dr. Birch-Mr. Halbed→→ Mr. Hasted, &c. A Catalogue was published by Rev. S. Ayscough, in 1772. 5th Room, Part of the Harleian Library of MSS. 6th Room. First Part of Harleian MSS; and Additions since the establishment of the Museum. Additions by gift, bequest, and purchase, among which are particularly remarkable; 57 volumes of public acts relating to the history of England, from 1115 to 1608, collected by Rymer, but not printed in his Fœdera; and 64 volumes of rolls of Parliament; deposited in the Museum by the House of Lords.-47 volumes, relating to the history of Ireland, presented by Rev. Jeremiah Milles, Dean of Exeter.-43 volumes of Icelandic manuscripts, presented by Sir Joseph Banks.-41 volumes, decisions of the commissioners for settling the City estates after the fire of London, presented by Thomas Cowper, Esq.-44 volumes relating to the history of music, bequeathed by Sir John Hawkins.-47 volumes of music, chiefly church music, by old composers, bequeathed by James Matthias, Esq.-38 volumes of MSS and 9 of drawings, collections towards a topography of Sussex, bequeathed by Sir Wm. Burrell, Kut. and 44 volumes by Sir Wm. Musgrave, Bart.-A collection of The companies, on being admitted, are MSS, chiefly relating to the county and Uniconducted up the great staircase, the decora-versity of Cambridge, bequeathed by Rev. tions of which have been laly restored. The W. Cole. M. A. paintings on the ceiling, representing Phaeton petiticaing Apolip for leave to drive bis chariot, are by Charles de la Fosse, who was deemed one of the best colourists of the Prench school, and who was chosen to execute a part of 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 perspective has at all times been held in high estimation. An Alphabetical Catalogue of the 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 almost ready for press. UPPER FLOOR. 1st Room: Modern Works of Art. This Room contains a miscellaneous collection, from all parts of the world, arranged as near as possible in geographical order, viz.: Europe, 4 cases; Asia, 3; Africa, 1; South America, 1: E, Coast of N. America, 1; W Coast of N. America, 4; Otaheite, 4; Sandwich Islands and Marquesas, 4; Friendly Islands, 2: New Zealand, 2; and various mall articles in a table. Two rolls of the Pentateuch on vellum, one of considerable antiquity. An original deed in Latin, written on paPyrus, being a conveyance of land to a monastery, dated Ravenna, anno 572, bought at the sale of the Pinelli library; and a large specimen of the reed (Cyperus Papgrus) of which that kind of paper is made: also an Italian note to Sir W. Hamilton written on modern papyrus, explaining the mode of preparing it. 7th Room. The Royal Library of Manu scripts, deposited in 33 Presses; and the Cottonian Library of Manuscripts, deposited in 31 Presses. A Catalogue by Mr. Planta, was printed by His Majesty's command, in 1802, fol. In the Cottonian library are deposited 94 volumes of extracts, chiefly relating to the Exchequer, collected by Thomas Madox, Esq. In a glazed frame, is the original of Magna Charta belonging to the Cottonian library; and by the side of it is a fac-simile engraving of it," by Pine. The original of the Articles preparatory to the signing of the great Charter perfect with the seal, presented by the late Earl Stanhope. The Saloon. The dome of this grand apartment was painted by La Fosse. It has generally been described as representing the Apotheosis of Iris. Walpole, in his Anecdotes of Painting, deviates still farther from the truth, by naming the subject the Apotheosis of Isis; but the most probable conjecture is, that the painter meant to exhibit the birth of Minerva, 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 announce the happy tidings on earth, The other heathen divinities surround this group in admiration of the event: and in a lower compartment, opposite the chimney, are the Vices expelled from Heaven on the manifestation of Wisdom. In six medallions near the corners of the room are some of the principal atchievements of Minerva. Between these are groups of winged boys, emblematically alluding in their several employments, to Arts, Sciences, Commerce, and War. The landscapes and architectural decorations are by J. Rousseau: the garlands of flowers by John Baptist Monover, the most eminent flower painter of his time. to much injury from sudden and careless handling, it is hoped that no person will at tempt to remove them without particular leave. 10th Room. Vegetables. Zoophytes. British corallines, disposed in such a manner as to represent landscapes; they consist of the several species, figured and described by the celebrated Mr. Ellis. Sir Hans Sloane's collection of insects; somewhat injured by length of time. In the imposts round this room runs a series of drawers, containing a very numerous collection of seeds, fruits, and other vegetable articles. Over the chimney are two fern trees. Over the door next the chimney is a small or young, but very perfect, specimen of a curious fish, that grows to a vast size; is armed with a large horn, and is sometimes known to attack a ship (which it perhaps mistakes for a whale), and that with such force as to drive the horn or sword through the timber. An example of this, from a larger fish of that kind, is preserved in the same frame; and also the tail of a large one over the case. 11th Room. The Birds in this room are dis posed, so far as convenience would admit, according to the Linnæan mode of arrange ment, viz. into six great divisions or orders, the separations of which are marked by white lines between each. Some birds however, on account of the large size of the cases in which they are contained, could not conveni ently be stationed in their proper order, and are therefore disposed on the upper part of the general divisions. Over the chimney is a full length portrait of King George II. by Shackleton: and in the We must not omit a curious picture, exe middle window stands a table, composed of a variety of lavas from Mount Vesuvius, pre-rare and curious bird the Dodo, belonging to cuted long ago in Holland, of that extremely sented by the Earl of Exeter. Department of Natural History. 8th Room. Minerals-This room contains, besides the local collections in the cases round the room, the valuable donation of Mr Cracherade disposed in two tables, nearly in the Linnæan order; and a much more extensive series arranged according to Werner's system of Mineralogy, in 210 drawers in the imposts round the room. Also Minerals from Derbyshire-Siberia The South Seas-Volcanic Productions→→→ Rock Stones, from Germany--and miscella neous; several Meteoric Stones, that fell in France, in Yorkshire, and in the East-Indies. gih Room. Petrifactions and Shells: also several fossil bones; as of the N. American Mammoth, &c.-and the Cracherodean Collection of Shells. Along the bottom of the tables in this and the next room are deposited a great number of volumes and packets, containing collections of dried plants; and as these articles are liable the tribe Gallinæ, and a native of the island of Bourbon. The picture was taken from a living specimen, brought into Holland soon after the discovery of the passage to the EastIndies by the Cape of Good Hope, by the Portuguese. 12th Room contains a general and extensive collection of fishes, serpents, lizards, frogs, &c. as well as many specimens of quadrupeds, preserved in spirits." Department of Antiquities. 1st Room. The Terra Cottas belonging to the collection of the late C. Townley, Esq. 79 articles. 2d Room. 17 articles. 3d Room. 4th Room. Greek and Roman Sculptures Ditto, 46 articles. Ditto, 15 articles. 5th Room. Roman Sepulchral Antiqui ties, 45 articles: among them a mosaic pave ment, lately discovered in digging the foun dations for the new buildings at the Bank of England; presented by the Directors of the Bank. 6th Room. Greek and Roman Sculptures, 100 articles. 7th Room. Roman Antiquities, 8 articles. 8th Room. Egyptian Antiquities. Egyptian mummies with their coffins, also a manuscript taken from a munny, written on papyrus, in the Egyptian language. The sinaller articles contained in this room, too numerous to be separately described in a succinct account, consist of mummies of the Ibis, and of sacred animals; of idols in wood, stone, porcelain, and bronze; of vases, the lids of which are severally adorned with a head of Isis, a hawk, a wolf, or a baboon: of fragments of statues; of sistroms, amulets, and a great variety of other monuments of art, which serve to illustrate the religious worship of the ancient Egyptians. 9th Room. Egyptian Sculptures. Principally collected by the French in different parts of Egypt; they came into the possession of the English army in consequence of the capitulation of Alexandria, September, 1801. They were brought to England, in Feb. 1802, under the care of Col. Turner, and were sent, by order of his Majesty, to the British Museum. 39 articles. coins are placed, as far as it can be ascertained, in chronological order. The second head, comprising modern coins, consists of Saxon, English, Augló. Gallic, Scotch, and Irish coins, and likewise the coins of foreign nations. This class is arranged according to the respective countries to which the coins belong? those of each country being kejt separate. The third head comprises a class considers ably more modern. 12th Room. Collection of Sir W. Hamilen ton, 78 cases, coutaining an extensive variety of antiquities. 13th Room. Prints and Drawings. In this room is deposited the extensive and va❤ luable collection of prints and drawings, the most important part of which was bequeath ed by the Rev. C. M. Cracherode. The com tents of this Room, as well as those of the coins and medals, can be seen only by a few persons at a time, by particular permission. From a schedule, which was handed about at the time of the purchase, we collect the following totals of the contents of Sir Hans Sloane's Museum'; but as this document is by no means No. 1. Is a large Egyptian sarcophagus,authentic, we mist request our readers to of breccia, brought from the mosque of Saint consider these numbers rather as approxima Athanasius, at Alexandria. It is covered tions than as accurate enumerations. with hieroglyphics both within and without. Library of printed books and manu-gezin ya -This has had the name of " Alexander's scripts, including books of prints. Tomb," conferred on it by some. No. 2. Is another large Egyptian sarcophagus, of black granite, also covered with hieroglyphics, inside and outside; it was brought from Grand Cairo, where it was used by the Turks as a cisterng they called it, The Lover's Fountain." C No. 23. Is the Rosetta stone, containing three inscriptions of the same import, one in hieroglyphics, another in the ancient vernacular language of Egypt, and another in Greek. These inscriptions record the services which Ptolemy V, had rendered his country; and were engraved, after his death, by order of the High Priests, during the minority of his son, Ptolemy VI. 10th Room Greek and Roman Sculptures, 80 articles, ... and drawings..... ......... Vals. 50,000' Coins and medals........ (23,000 ₫ Antique idols, utensils, &c. allmely125m 542 dies, parts of nummies, calculi, &c. 750.j Quadrupeds and their parts. u 18,1867) Birds and their parts, eggs and nests...~1,1726 Fishes and their parts.adı..bus.1,555 o Amphibia..................munk...... 5200 Crustacea...................dev.sms.cluindo » 1,436 Shells, echini, entrochi.azán kolli.65,845 | Insects ...... ...............,&&d.: 5,439|| Corals, sponges, zoophytes 1,424 Stones, ores, bitumens, salts, &c.tt. 9,942 Volumes of dried plants....... 21334Mathematical instruments.....57-55€ Miscellaneous artificial curiosities. 2,098 MS. catalogues of the whole Museum, t 38. vols. fol. and Siquanto. smo vo 34 ith Room. Coins and Medals, 1. Ancient Coins 21odern Coins; 3. Medals: The first of these heads consists of Greek and Roman coins. The Greek coins are arranged in geographical order, and include all those. We have now given a complete detail of which are struck with Greek characters, in the contents of this noble establishment, and Greece or elsewhere, by kings, states, or ci- from the augmentations which it is constantly ties, which were independent of the Romans. receiving, we indulge the hope that it will With this class are placed likewise the c coins of free states and cities, which made use of ere long become the first repository of its and consequence, either the Etruscan, Roman, Punic, Spɔ- kind, în point of utili nih, or otharacters. The Ronan that the world can boast HEBREW BIBLICAL MSS. IN CHINA. Is Panorama, Vol. III. p. 341, aay be seen Dr. Kerr's very interesting account of the extant copies of parts of Holy Scripture aning the Syrian Christians at Cochin, and, as every thing tending to further discoveries of a like kind, has its importance either immediate or relative, we take a pleasure in laying before our readers, what information has lately reached us from the Continent, on the subject of copies of parts of the Hebrew Scriptures, extant in China, with the addition of the first and secoud books of the Maccabees in Helrew. The discovery of this enlargement to our stores of Hebrew philology may prove of considerable consequence to sacred literature; these books may gratify us with phrases hitherto found but once only in what we already possess, (and therefore difficult) elucidated by position or connection; or words, which now, to speak Hebraically, "have neither friend nor brother," may receive their true sense, from their cognates, in these historical documents. If the Greek translations that we already possess are faithful, these Dovelties will offer but little difficulty if they present additional facts, that will be so much gain to general history and to a period of history which we are previously acquainted with, and on which we can judge, by means of the Greek writers: " 'natius Kögler. Published at Hulle in 1806, in German. THE very early period at which the Jews had arrived and settled, in China, is a very remarkable circumstance in the history of that people. In the year 73 of the Christian era; of course, very shortly after the destruction of Jerusalem, according to some writers of strict veracity, seventy Jewish families, taking their route from Persia, through Chorasan and Samarcand, settled in China. That inquisitive writer, Paulus, about 20 years ago (in a letter to Eichhorn) compared this al leged date of the arrival of the Jews in China with a chronological account, discovered among the Jews at Cochin, respecting some of their brethren who had settled in the Mogul territory 187 years before the birth of Christ. By the comparison of these accounts with each other, he has proved the probable authenticity of both. The merits of the Jesuits in modern times in their 'endeavours to propagate Christianity in that vast empire, is well known. This industrious and indefatigable sect deserve our thanks for their communications respecting the Jews there, the most remarkable of which comprizes an account of the Sacred Writings preserved in the Synagogue of Kai-fong-fu, the metropolis of the province of Honan. The first remarks on this subject are by Murr, in the 7th part of his Journal of Arts and Literature, under the title of Notitiæ quædam P. Ignati Koegleri de Bibliis Judæo rum in Imperio Sinensi The original was published by him with additions in 1805. Of that work the present appears to be a translation, with remarks by the editor, elucidations by de Sary, and O. G. Tychsen, and a letter of P. Gozani. The remarks are preceded by an account of sundry treatises respecting the Chinese Jews; among which those of Deguignes, Renaudot, and Brotier, certainly are the best. The remarks themselves contain nothing but extracts from the writings mentioned, and consequently nothing new. The German translation of Kögler's original Latin can boast of but slender attractions, and presents no additional researches or information. Our readers will observe for themselves, the alleged deficiencies of books, preserved by these Jews, with the damaged state of the most valuable, but as great obscurity reigns over the whole of the account, that particular may justly be doubted. Not every applicant was likely to be favoured with a confidential communication of all the books held sacred by this community. Not every one is master of the Hebrew language sufficiently to command the attention of the Custos of such MSS. Not every one is sufficient judge of the probable age of a MS. to venture an opinion on that circumstance; and a person, adequately qualified, would perhaps find great difficulty in obtaining from the jealous govermanent of China, permission to visit and examine Kai-fong-fu, at leisure. We have, Mr. M. the translator, says he undertook however, discharged our duty in reminding this work not merely for the learned, but in the earned world of these remains of anti-hopes he might interest the European Jews quity, of biblical antiquity, and must leave to Providence the direction to those means which may be happily instrumental in rendering these long buried documents of use to out Holy Religion, and to Sacred Literature. on the subject; these are, however, so much occupied in passing events at home, that they cannot be supposed to take any lively interest in what concerns their brethren at such an immense distance. The account of the Sacred Writings in the possession of the Chinese Jews, may be abridged into the following statement. Observations on the History of the Jews in China: together with Description of their Sacred Beaks in the Synagogue of KaiThey preserve their Hebrew writings' in fong fu; with an Appendix respecting their public Synagogue at Kai-fong-fu, which the Origin of the Pentateuch; by P. Ig-was built in the year 1163. In the most • investigation. M. Koegler himself does not appear to have been in Kai-fong-fu, from any hint in his notes; and he certainly would not have omitted that circumstance, had he himself seen these Chinese MSS. According to the history of the Chinese missionaries, his residence was at Pekin; his notes, we may presume, were compiled from the accounts of other Fathers. This however is certain, that Hebrew literature is not the study for which the sons of Loyola have been greatly cele brated, or on which they have most earnestly piqued themselves. COVERY OF DIAMONDS IN BRAZIL, TO- holy place are seen thirteen rolls of parchment, containing the Thorah (the law) placed on tables, like tabernacles; each is provided with a covering; twelve are placed in honour of the twelve tribes, and one in honour of Moses. The latter is the only one now remaining of the old copies. The others were consumed in a great conflagration which happened about 200 years ago. All the books of the Synagogue perished in that disaster, except this one copy, which was saved, though greatly damaged. The twelve mentioned above are copies, afterwards transcribed from that which was saved. The other Hebrew books are preserved in side closets, which are always kept locked. The Jews A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE EARLIEST DIShave some other Hebrew books; but most of these are much damaged, and some of them are totally illegible, The Thorah bas but 53 Paraschoth (divisions or sections) the 52d and 53d being reckoned but one. The biblical books are divided into four classes, 1. The Pentateuch. 2. The Supplement, viz. Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, and the Psalms. 3. The Book of Ceremonies, or the Ritual Book; the Prophets, and the Books of Chronicles. 4. The historical books, Esther, Esra, Nehemiah, and the two books of the Maccabees, al o in Hebrew. The Proverbs, Job, Solomon's Song, and Ecclesiastes, they have not however, they may, perhaps, says Koegler, have more books than they acknowledge, or more than they themselves know of, as they are exceedingly ignorant, and do not seem to evince the least inclination for literature or science; neither will they suffer any person to take any books away from their places, and it is impossible to run them over singly in the Synagogue; as they lie there in the greatest confusion. There was a time when diamonds were found only in the East Indies, principally in the lower part of Indostan; and during the period when the Portuguese were powerful in the east, the whole of the European com merce in diamonds was carried on through Lisbon. These precious stones were brought froin Goa, which is adjacent to Golconda, where the famous diamond mines of the east are situated. The Dutch having obtain ed the ascendancy in India deprived the Portuguese of a source of wealth, which chance, however, soon restored to them. In 1729, the colonists of Brazil discovered those diamond mines, which at present supply the chief demand of Europe. Near the town of Serro do Frio, says Don Sarmento, in the Government of the Gold Mines, there is a place called by the natives Cay-The-Meria, where, as well as in the little river named do Milho Verde, they have found gold for several years back. The miners, who dig the gold in these parts, sift the earth, and the sand on the river's The pronunciation of the Hebrew language by these Jews, is very different from that of the European Jews:For example, in, they pronounce Thoulaha or Thoulase; Pieleshcitze; Schmotze; p Vajekelo; bank, for the purpose of separating the ore. Piemizepaul; Or, Teveliim. It appears from this account that the information contained in Koegler's description of the books extant among the Chinese Jews will not greatly enrich Hebrew Biblical literature. The most desirable circumstance to be known, if we could discover it, would be the age of these manuscripts: but nothing can be collected from the Jews themselves with any degree of certainty on this point. Eichhorn noticed these MSS. in his preface, but his observations, that the different writers who have mentioned them, had but a dark and imperfect view of them, is very correct, and we are still therefore uncertain whether they may or may not deserve In performing this operation, it frequently happened, that they found several stones, of which, at first, they made no account; and it was not till 1728, that a miner bethought himself of working or grinding the stones, the result of which was, that he found them to be diamonds. He thenceforward took care not to let one of them escape his attention, and the other miners, following his example, eagerly sought after these valuable gems. After having carefully searched the earth, they had recourse to the river, where they not only found the diamonds in greater. abundance, but procured them with the utmost facility. Experience and a little re flection led them to imagine, that the dia monds came from a distance, that they were |