are formed of iron galvanized plates, edged with wainscot, and covered with russet-hide leather. The building contains three miles lineal of bookcases, eight feet high; assuming them all to be spaced for the size of the average octavo volume, the entire ranges form twenty-five miles of shelves. The inner surface of the dome is divided into twenty compartments by the moulded ribs, which are gilded with leaf prepared from unalloyed gold; the suffites being in ornamental patterns, and the edges touching the adjoining margins fringed with a leaf-pattern scalloped edge. Each compartment contains a window (having double sashes), with hot-water pipes between them, with three panels above, the central one being medallionshaped; the whole bordered with gilt moulding and lines, and the field of the panels finished in encaustic azure blue, the surrounding margin. being of a warm cream colour. The details of the windows are treated in like manner. The moulded rim of the lantern light is painted and gilded to correspond. The sash is formed of gilt moulded ribs, radiating from a central medallion, in which a monogram, formed of the letters V. A. is alternated with the Imperial crown. The cornice from which the dome springs is massive, and almost wholly gilded. Each compartment of the dome is marked by a bold, enriched gilt console, which forms at once the support of the main rib, and the base of a colossal marble statue; a series of which, it was proposed in Mr.

Panizzi's plan, should be placed on the cornice. We have been somewhat careful to describe with minuteness the details of the construction of this elegant room, as the idea and execution are alike unique, and will help our readers to form a more intelligent idea of the vastness and magnitude of this addition to the national library. A more perfect success could hardly have been anticipated or desired; and the constant applications for admission, both for the purposes of study, and to view the building, show that both the reading and the sight-seeing public have fully appreciated the boon conferred upon them. The bust of the designer of this noble room and its wondrous adjuncts, executed by the late Baron Marochetti, and placed over the door of the Reading-room, in the passage from the entrancehall, was a very pleasing memorial from the Department of Printed Books. This bust was paid for by a subscription from every person in that department, no others being allowed to contribute.

We hardly know whether the vastly-increased library—which has grown from two hundred thousand volumes to more than a million, and which have been added since Mr. Panizzi was first connected with the library-or whether the new Reading-room, with its thoughtful and beautiful accompaniments, is the greatest and proudest monument to the memory of a man who came to our shores an expatriated exile; and who, by his

indomitable energy and great abilities, has raised himself to a position of eminence scarcely to be excelled; but they are both great.

In the month of February, 1856, Sir Henry Ellis retired from the service of the Trustees, at a very advanced age, full of honour and respect, and Mr. Panizzi was appointed to succeed him as Principal Librarian; or, in other words, as the chief officer or administrator of the whole Museum, on the 6th of March following, being about a month before the completion of the new reading-room and libraries. Some wonder, and no little abuse from certain quarters, were expressed at this promotion of Mr. Panizzi; which, it should be remembered, is in the gift of the Sovereign, all the other appointments being made by the three Principal Trustees. There was no doubt, among those who were sufficiently acquainted with the former career of Mr. Panizzi, that his promotion to the highest position in this great national establishment was as much for the benefit and advantage of the institution, as it was a fitting reward to one who had spent so many years in the service of his adopted country. The matter was broached in both Houses of Parliament in the succeeding session, and only gave an occasion for eminent men of all political shades of opinion to express their high opinion of the great Librarian and the wisdom of the Royal appointment.

On leaving the Department of Printed Books,

where he had spent so many active years of his active life, Mr. Panizzi addressed a characteristic letter to Mr. Winter Jones, who succeeded him in that honourable post. It is with much pleasure that we insert this letter, as it is one of the many instances in which the subject of our sketch was always ready generously to acknowledge the help he had received from those who were associated with him. The letter is dated March 24th, 1856, and is as follows:

"I cannot quit the important department which, for the last nineteen years, I have had the honour to direct, without expressing to you, and to those who have so much contributed to augmenting it, and raising it to its present state, my heartfelt thanks for the zealous, intelligent, and unfailing assistance which I have received from all, in the performance of my various duties.

"It is not for me to say whether this library can challenge comparison; but this I can truly say—that, having been so nobly seconded, it is not surprising if I have succeeded beyond what I ever ventured to hope in July, 1837.

"I leave my old department in your hands, confident that its future head will continue to receive from all my late fellow-labourers the support of which I feel so proud; that, by your united efforts, its usefulness will increase with its extent and its renown, and that you will all receive that meed of approbation which will be due to your untiring and intelligent exertions in the service of the public.

"Please, my dear Jones, to make these sentiments of mine known to the whole department, and

"Believe me,

"Ever truly yours,

"A. PANIZZI."

The writer may be permitted to quote a few

of the testimonies to the fitness of Mr. Panizzi for this high position from others that were generously offered at the time of this appointment. The late Dr. Cureton, Royal Trustee at the British Museum, and an eminent Oriental scholar, says, in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Commons:-"You must naturally be most anxious that the vacant office of Principal Librarian should be filled by the most efficient person, who is best qualified to discharge its duties for the advantage of the public. You are, doubtless, fully aware of the long and valuable services of Mr. Panizzi, of his great talents, his extensive knowledge, his ardent zeal and untiring energies, which have been most faithfully exerted during a quarter of a century for the benefit of the British Museum. There is, however, one point respecting him of which you may not have had the means of being so fully informed, but which the constant observation of nearly twenty years has made me well acquainted with: I mean Mr. Panizzi's great administrative powers, and capacity of governing a large body of subordinate persons. I have never known any one in authority so strict and precise in maintaining order and discipline, so rigid and exact in requiring the full amount of duties to be performed, who, at the same time, had the singular happiness of gaining the respect and esteem, and receiving the warm attachment and affection of all those placed under his authority. From my own