The _Vatican_ Library is, without Dispute, the finest and the greatest in the World. ’Tis full of MSS. in the _Hebrew_, _Arabic_, _Greek_, _Latin_, and other Languages. Pope _Sixtus_ V. spared no Cost to enrich it with the best Books; and since his Death, it has been very much augmented by the _Heidelberg_ Library, and that of _Christina_ Queen of _Sweden_. The former was brought hither, as I think I told you, after the Defeat of _Frederic_ the Elector _Palatine_, King of _Bohemia_, when _Heidelberg_ submitted to the Power of the House of _Austria_. The latter was purchased by the Pope from that Queen’s Heirs. The Building which contains this Library is worthy of the great _Sixtus_ V. who caused it to be built from the very Foundation. ’Tis generally divided into two Parts, _viz._ the Public, and the Private. The first is three hundred Feet long, and sixty broad. The second consists of two great Rooms, into which the Admittance is not so easy as into the Gallery, because of the very scarce MSS. that are there contained. _Sixtus_ V. caused the whole Library to be painted, both Inside and Outside, in which he employed the most ingenious Artists of his Time. The Outside represents, in different Figures, the Arts, the Sciences, and the Virtues. In the Inside, there are painted in divers Compartments, the most memorable Actions of _Sixtus_ V. the holding of sixteen Councils; the most celebrated Libraries; and the Men, in short, ever since _Adam_, who have been most distinguished in the World for their Learning. In the private Library are painted the principal Actions of Pope _Sixtus_ V. and the Doctors of the Church. The last Pope _Benedict_ XIII. was of a different Opinion from the Popes his Predecessors, with regard to the Palace of the _Vatican_. He thought it too fine for his Residence, as he did also the Palace of _Belvidero_, which is properly a House of Pleasure, tho’ it joins to the _Vatican_. And as ’twas his Maxim, that a General ought to die in the Army; and a Bishop, if not at the Altar, at least near his Church; he was not willing to quit the Neighbourhood of St. _Peter_; and therefore, on the Backside of the Gardens of the Pontifical Palace, he caused a little House to be built, with some few Rooms in it that looked into the Country; where all his Furniture was a few matted Chairs, all his Ornaments the Images of certain Saints, and all his Companions a Brother of his own Order, with whom he used to take the Air, and say his Breviary; and he could go out of this Apartment whenever he pleased, without being seen.