The  new  Reading  Rooms  and  Libraries  were  built  in  com-
pliance with  a  happy  suggestion  of  Mr.  Panizzi — in  the  vacant
space  foi'med  by  the  inner  quadrangle  of  the  Museum,  thus
economising  ground  and  money,  and  securing  the  fittest
situation,  close  to  the  apartments  in  which  the  books  are
deposited.  It  was  completed  in  three  years,  at  a  cost  of
£150,000 — Sidney  Smirke  being  architect,  and  Messrs.  Baker
and  Fielder  builders — and  opened  1 857.  The  Reading  Room
is  circular,  surmounted  by  an  elegant  dome,  140  feet  in
diameter  (only  two  feet  less  than  the  Pantheon,  and  one
foot  more  than  St.  Peter's,  Rome),  and  106  feet  high.
It  is  constructed  chiefly  of  iron,  by  whicli  much  space
is  saved,  with  brick  arches  between  the  main  ribs,  sup-
ported by  20  iron  piers.  It  can  receive  with  ease  and
comfort,  at  one  time,  300  readers,  each  being  provided  with
a  separate  desk.  The  general  arrangements  are  sufficiently
explained  in  the  Plan.  The  whole  is  thoroughly  warmed
and  ventilated,  and  the  floors  are  laid  with  Kamptulikon,
to  prevent  noise  and  reverberation.  There  are  35  reading
tables,  and  two  are  set  apart  for  the  exclusive  use  of
ladies.
The  Book-presses  under  the  gallery  arc  filled  with  a  large
library  of  reference  for  the  use  of  the  readers,  comprising
most  of  the  standard  works  on  the  various  branches  of
learning,  and  an  extensive  collection  of  dictionaries  of  all
languages,  biographical  works,  oncyclopffidias,  parliamentary
histories,  topographical  works,  &c.,  &c.     These  books,  whicli


XIX. — REABING   ROOM. — MANUSCRIPTS.  IGl

nre  about  20,000   in   number,   the  readers   can   consult  at
l)leasure  without  filling  up  tickets  for  them.
Having  consulted  the  catalor/ue  which  extends  to  977  MS.
