390 ON THE LATE, OR DEBASED, have been much used to church work, and as it is shown by the accounts^ that the masons employed were brought to Oxford from a distance, it seems probable that she brought, from her own county of Somerset, workmen who had been used to this kind of work. The churches of Somersetshire are mostly of rich and late perpendicular character, and it is probable that the style might continue later there than in other places. It would, therefore, be a curious subject to inquire if any churches were built so late as that on which these masons might have been employed. The Hall of Wadham has an open timber roof, which is curious, as showing how, while the Gothic form was retained, the details were altered to suit the taste of the times. The large window is a remarkable example of Jacobean tracery. The entrance under the principal gateway is groined, with fan vaulting, having in the centre the arms of the founder and foundress impaled. The buildings of this period in Oxford are very numerous ; indeed there are few colleges which have not some additions of this time ; but it will not be necessary to do much more than enumerate the most favourable examples, with their dates. The inner quadrangle of Morton College is stated to have been built by J. Bentley, one of the builders of the Schools, and the gateway into the gardens is an evident imitation of that of the Schools. It has four of the orders, and the spaces between are filled with Gothic panelling, but the effect is poor and flat. The external front of this part, which faces Merton, is, however, a very good composition, and embowered as it is with trees, has quite the character of one of the fine old mansions of the Elizabethan or Jacobean period.
- III these accounts, (for an oppor- of the building. For each statue he was
tvinity of examining which I am indebted paid the sum of SI. to the Rev. J. Griffith, the Sub- Warden), Tiie following prices and terras also the masons who worked the stone for appear, and are curious and interesting, building are called Free masons, or Free- Lodgement, 4cZ. per foot. fitone Masons (which is probably the true Window table, ^d. per foot, meaning of the term), while the rest are Grass table, Ad. per foot, merely called " labourers." The cost of Window lights, 'is. id. each, each window, with the name of the work- Pillar stone, at IfJrf. per foot, man, is put down separately, the price of Cornish, 2d. per foot, a chapel window being 61. while those of Gorgel table 1 the hall, were 3^.18. each. It is curioiis, Gargill I ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ too, to find that the three statues over the Gurgul f ' entrance to the hall and chapel were cut Gurgoll J by one of the free masons (William Tun stone, or tun stuff "1 stones for Blackshaw) employed on the other parts Tounel stones, or tunnel S chimney stones J shafts, &c.
