Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/153

OXFOKD. 141 OXFOED. leges have their own halls, in which tho members dine daily in common, and their ownchapels.atwhichacertain ntunher of attendances during the week is required from tho members. At some of them, such as Christ Church, Exeter, St. John's, New College, and Magdalen, choral service ia performed, and tho two latter attract numerous visitors, not only from tho excellence of the choirs and organs and the magnificence of their chapels, but also from the extent and beauty of their gardens and tho general character of the colleges themselves. Exeter and Balliol Chapels also, which have been rebuilt within a few years, are remarkable for the splendour of their architecture and decorations, and are objects well worthy of being seen. Tho hall of Christ Church, the cathedral, which stands just behind it, and, in fact, the whole of this noble institution, should be visited by all who wish to see the " lions" of Oxford, as also should Christ Church walks and meadows, which lie close by tho river. Here are moored tho boats and barges belonging to tho various colleges and members of the University, and during the spring and summer boat-races take place between picked crews from tho various colleges. At these periods Christ Church walks and tho side of tho river opposite, down as far as Iffley, from whence tho boats start, are crowded with men, each eager for the success of his own college ; tho stream is covered with skiffs, punts, and wherries, and various other kinds of boats ; thuir occupants are clad in regular rowing costume ; and the beauty of the spot, tho excitement, in a word, tho tout ensemble, makes this a scene which should be witnessed by all who wish to study the pecu- liarities of our English universities, as it is a sight which can never be seen elsewhere, and when once seen will not easily be forgotten. At the main entrance of Christ Church stands "Tom" Tower, so called from the great bell which it contains, and which tolls 101 times at nine o'clock every night during term time, to give notice to the undergraduates to return to their colleges, tho gates being closed at that time. In the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad-street, takes place annually the Jtncasnia, or annual commemoration of the founders and benefactors of tho University. The building was founded by Gilbert Sheldon, Arch- bishop of Canterbury, and was finished in 1609, under the superintendence of Sir Christopher Wren, and a part of it was originally occupied by the University printing-presses. Hence the books printed by the Uni- versity bear upon them for nearly a century tho impri- matur of e Typographia " Shcldoniana," or e Theatre Shel- doniuno. In 1759 the last printing-press was removed, since which time the public meetings of the University, viz. the Comilia and the Encctnia, have been held there, tho latter being celebrated onco a year, just before tho commencement of the long vacation. The area is 80 feet by 70, and the building is capable of containing 4,000 persons. It has a dome 40 feet high from the . and tho ceiling is represented open in imitation of the ancient Greek and lUmian theatres. The interior ists of an area and galleries, with rostra for the reci- 'ii of the essays and poems to which tho University 3 havo been adjudged annually. These recitations take plafo at the commemoration, and then it is that honorary degrees are conferred on distinguished per- sonages, and tho theatre presents the imposing appear- | ance to which reference has already been made. The 'ellor, doctors, proctors, noblemen, and all tho - of the University, in the full robes of offices, occupy a semicircular row of tl at one end of the room, raised above the area, which is occupied by masters of arts and gentlemen in- n'l-d by tli'.m. The lower gallery is occupied en- . and the upper by the undergraduates, vh<j express their scntimrntx upim tho leading topics I he appearance of the candi- i y degrees, tho ladies present, and !' other subjects, in shouts of approbation, or , whi'-h frequently impart a very noisy, and sometimes almost a riotous, complexion to a great por- I tion of tho proceedings. The commemoration is also celebrated by a procession of tho boats, a promenade of the notabilities of the University in the " Broad Walk" of Christ Church Meadows, entertainments at the colleges, balls, and other festivities, which make the week one continued round of amusement and gaiety to those who are partaking of the hospitality of the University during that period. The public entrance into the theatre is from Broad-street, and in front of it is an iron railing, with pillars surmounted by busts, which are now much dilapidated, and are said to represent cither the Cassars or some of the sages of antiquity. To tha S. of the theatre is the Bodleian Library, which was first opened for tho use of tho University on 8th November, 1602, on which day an annual visitation is made in commemoration of tho event. The library contains several valuable portraits, among which are those of Sir Thomas Bodley, tho founder, by Cornell us Jansen ; one of Selden, by Mytens, and others, llero also are deposited the celebrated collection of 200 Greek MSS. collected by Giacomo Barocci, a Venetian nobleman, and presented in 1C29 by William Herbert, third Earl of Pembroke, who was then Chancellor of tho Univer- sity ; the celebrated Oppenheim Library, consisting of the most valuable Hebrew and Habbinical printed books and MSS. ever brought together in one collection ; tho important Latin and English MSS. given by Sir Kcnelm Digby ; and the European and Oriental collection pre- sented by Archbishop Laud, who was Chancellor of the University in 1631, and in 1636 founded the "Laudian Professorship of Arabic." Shortly after this a western wing was added to the original building for the purpose of receiving the valuable library of the celebrated John Selden, who was tho representative of tho University in tho " Long Parliament." He died in 1654, and his executors presented his collection, of upwards of 8,000 volumes of MSS. and printed books, to the University. Since that time many valuable donations have been made to tho Bodleian, such as the collection of early English plays and poetry, made by Malone and pre- sented by Lord Sunderland ; and those of liichard Gough, the celebrated antiquary; and of Francis Douce, the eminent connoisseur in various departments of art and science. All these, and many other treasures deposited there, mako the Bodleian one of the most renowned libraries in the world, and scholars from all countries may be seen pursuing their labours amongst its ample and varied stores. All members of the University who have taken a degree are allowed to study here, but no books may be removed from tho premises. Strangers and non- members of tho university obtain access by a personal introduction to the keeper of tho Bodleian, through an M.A. or some one who is personally known to tho keeper, and who will vouch for the fitness of the person apply- ing for admission. Under the Act of Parliament for securing copyright the Bodleian receives a copy of every printed work that is entered at Stationers' Hall, and tho funds are kept up by small fees paid at matriculation, and upon taking the degree of B.A., besides a grant of 2,000 per annum for the purchase of various works in literature and art in this and other countries. The library contains upwards of 250,000 volumes, and is open, with some few specified exceptions, every week- day from 9 to 4, between Lady Day and Michaelmas, and from 10 to 3 from Michaelmas to Lady Day. Be- sides its literary treasures, the Bodleian contains also a picture-gallery, in which are portraits of the chief founders, benefactors, chancellors, and other notables of the University, and some curiosities, together with a collection of busts, casts, and architectural models. Adjoining the Bodleian are the " schools," one of which was originally devoted to each faculty or science taught in the University. In early times the quadrangle where tho present building now stands was used as a garden and a pig- market; but, in 1554, the University obtained a grant of tho site from tho Dean and Chapter uf Christ Church, And in 1612 the first stone of tho present struc- ture was laid. Inscriptions over the doors show tho various branches of study to which the "schools" were respectively devoted, as medicine, anatomy, and r.ituial