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from the unsettled state of its government during the two succeeding centuries. It appears, however, to have been fixed upon as a place of conference between Ethelred and the Danes in the year 1015; and that in seven years afterwards, in 1022, Canute assembled here a council of the nation, when the laws of Edward the Confessor were translated into Latin, and published for the regulation of all the subjects of the kingdom both English and Danes. On the death of the latter monarch in 1036, another great national council was held, and it afterwards became the scene of many important transactions. The Castle was erected by Robert D'Oilie, at the command of William the Conqueror in the year 1071; a work of great strength and considerable extent, as appears by the massy ruins which still remain.

The City, properly so called, was formerly surrounded with a wall and bastions, and is about two miles in circumference. The principal street runs from east to west, the entire length of the town, but under different names: the High Street, beginning at Magdalen Bridge, includes at least two-thirds of the whole: the remainder is called Castle Street. The former, when its length, breadth, and the buildings which form it are brought as it were into one view, may be considered as the finest street in Europe. It is not quite straight, which, by the different scenery its curve affords, increases the beauty and heightens the picturesque effect of the whole.

The principal entrance into this place is over a stone bridge of eleven arches, and five hundred and twenty-six feet in length, stretching over two distinct branches of the Cherwell and the land that divides them. It is a handsome structure, built from a design of Mr. Gwyn, who was a native of the city and architect to the University, which is indebted to him for many judicious alterations and improve

ments.

At the foot of this bridge is Magdalen College, whose lofty tower which is one hundred and fifty feet in height, is a very

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fine specimen of that which is generally called the Gothic style. It was erected in the year 1492 under the direction of Cardinal Wolsey, at that time fellow and burser of the college. The Chapel is a handsome and well-proportioned building. The west window, painted in chiaro oscuro, was done after a design of Schwartz: there is somewhat of grandeur in the whole, which represents the Resurrection; but the beauty of the painting is much impaired. The altar-piece was painted by Isaac Fuller, an English history painter of no great name, about an hundred and fifty years ago. Beneath is a picture of Christ bearing his Cross: the principal figure is supposed to be by Guido; the accessory parts are evidently by a far inferior pencil.-The interior of the cloisters is decorated, or disgraced by hieroglyphics, which, Dr. Stukeley says, are whimsical figures that serve to amuse the vulgar, and must have been the licentious inventions of the mason.-The walks of this college form a beautiful scene of seclusion: a particular part of them is called Addison's Walk, it being traditionally said to have been a favourite scene of his juvenile meditations.

Nearly opposite to Magdalen College is the Physic Garden, whose gateway is of the Doric order, from a design by Inigo Jones; nor does it derogate from his great professional name.

On proceeding up the High Street, Queen's College appears on the north side of it. This structure, which is of stone, was begun about the year 1872, and bears some resemblance to the style of the Luxemburgh Palace in Paris. The two projecting sides of the building are united by a wall with a spacious central gateway, over which is the statue of Queen Caroline, under a dome supported by columns; a noble ornament, but in a most tasteless situation. The roof of the Chapel, which is arched, is painted by Sir James Thornhill. The windows are of stained glass, the subjects of which are scriptural, and display an uncommon brilliancy in the colours.

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University College is on the opposite side of the Hight Street. Its noble front extends two hundred and sixty feet, replete with ancient and simple grandeur. The altar window of the Chapel was given by: Dr. Radcliffe, the celebrated physician, of whom there is a statue over the north gate. In other parts of the College there are statues of King Alfred, James the Second, Queen Mary the consort of William the Third, and Queen Anne.

All Souls College is also in the High Street.-The altarpiece represents the Assumption of the founder, Archbishop Chichely, by Sir James Thornhill. Beneath it, in the compartment over the communion table, is a picture by Mengs: the subject is Christ's first appearance to Mary Magdalen after his Resurrection. There is much clear and brilliant colouring in this picture, particularly in the body of the principal figure. An engraving was made from it by the late Mr. Sherwin. The Library is a noble room; and, among its valuable collection of books contains all the drawings left behind him by that great architect Sir Christopher Wren, who was some time a fellow of the College.

St. Mary's Church is another superb ornament of the High Street, and is appropriated to the use of the University. The body of it was erected in the reign of Henry the Seventh; and the ponderous tower, with its lofty and finely ornamented spire, was added by the first Bishop of Oxford in the reign of Henry the Eighth. The elegant portico was raised by Dr. Owen, chaplain to Archbishop Laud, in the year 1637.

The High Street receives an additional decoration from the beautiful Church of All Saints. This fabric is enriched within and without with Corinthian pilasters: an attic story and balustrade completes its exterior appearance; while a curious fret ceiling, handsome altar, and appropriate ornaments, compose its interior finishing. The steeple is lofty and light, and rises into a spire. The architect was Doctor Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church..

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New College is an handsome spacious stone building; but its principal attraction is the Chapel, which may be indeed said to be the beauty of holiness. The painted glass by Jervaise, after designs by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and the architectural additions by Wyatt, have combined to produce a most solemn and striking effect on the mind. If devotion may be supposed to receive an added ardor from exterior circumstances, in this place of worship that effect cannot fail of being produced. The west window represents the Nativity, after the picture painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds for the late Duke of Rutland, and is now at Belvoir Castle. The other windows are decorated with figures of the Christian and Cardinal Virtues, from cartoons by the same great master. Over the altar-piece is a fine picture of the Shepherds visiting Christ after his Nativity by Augustino Caracci. Here is also shewn a curious relic in the crosier of William of Wykeham, the founder of the College. It is of silver gilt, seven feet high, and very much enriched with Gothic ornaments.

We now proceed to the College of Christ Church, which may be considered as the chief glory of Oxford.

The stately west front of the great Quadrangle is a magnificent Gothic building, three hundred and eighty-two feet in length, terminated at each end with two corresponding turrets. The central gate forms a noble entrance, and over it has a beautiful Gothic tower with a dome, which was added to the structure by Sir Christopher, is most happily adapted to the character of the building, and crowns the whole. It contains the bell which is so well known by the name of Great Tom of Oxford. The great Quadrangle, of which this superb range of building forms a part, is two hundred and sixty-four by two hundred and sixty-one in the clear. The Hall occupies a part of the south side, and the remainder of the surrounding structure contains the residences of the Deans and Canons. It was built by Cardinal Wolsey, and partakes of the magnificence of his taste. His statue, a fine animated piece of sculpture, occupies a niche in the

south-east corner. The Hall is a noble room, and richly adorned with portraits: that of Doctor Robinson, the Lord Primate of Ireland, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, is among the first of his works in that branch of his art.-The Church of the College is the cathedral of the diocese, which contains nothing remarkable but the stone roof and some beautiful paintings on glass.-The quadrangle called Peckwater, is an elegant enriched building of the Ionic order, after a design of Dr. Aldrich, then Dean of the College, who was equally distinguished for taste, and learning. One angle of it is entirely possessed by the Library, which is one hundred and forty-one feet in length. The upper part is fitted up with book-cases, columns, &c. of oak, and for beauty of effect, as well as appropriate accommodation, can scarce be exceeded. The rooms below contain the collection of pictures bequeathed to the College by General Guise, among which are some very fine works of the first masters. In a recess on the north side of the upper apartment is a fine. statue of Mr. Locke, who was a student of this college: the sculptor is Roubilliac.

The other Colleges contain objects worthy of attention and description; but the limits of these volumes will not allow us to describe them. In a work like this, however, which it is presumed we may consider as connected with the arts, we feel ourselves called upon to add, that Worcester College contains the drawings of Inigo Jones, which are preserved with great care.

The principal public buildings, from the circumstances connected with them, demand a more enlarged account than we can allow ourselves to give. A very general mention is all that we can venture to adopt.

The University Library, usually called the Bodleian, from Sir Thomas Bodley, its principal founder, is a large and lofty structure in the form of a Roman H, and rivals the first libraries in Europe.-The Arundelian Marbles are placed to advantage in a large apartment on the north side of the building called Schools.-The Theatre where the

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