The Sun.
London, England, 1827-03-24 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

THE LORD MAYOR'S VISIT TO OXFORD.
LONDON : pp. 157.
Among the voyages and travels to distant parts of the
globe, so zealously sought after by the majority of modern
readers, we know of none more valuable in its information,
more elevated in its diction, or more praiseworthy for the
pretty sprinklings of morality and sentiment with which it
abounds, than the present narrative (by the Chaplain to
the Mansion-house) of the Lord Mayor's voyage to Ox-
ford, in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and
twenty-six. But, though inclined to rate the abilities of
this adventurous voyager at a very high standard, we must
confess that we scarcely think him equal either to Bruce,
Mango Park, Belzoni, or even Captain Clapperton. The
sphere of his action is more circumscribed, and, although
he has certainly made discoveries in the course of his
arduous and very novel voyage up the Thames, entitled
to the gratitude of his more untravelled countrymen, yet_
he has explored no country equal in extent to Arabia,
in heat to Africa, or in difficulty to the North Pole. But
it ill becomes us, who have never journeyed farther west
than Hyde Park, or east than Temple-bar (with the ex-
' ception of having been once benighted in the barbarous
regions of Whitechapel, where we were very nearly
scalped and toraahawked by the savages), to undervalue
the exertions of a gentleman, who, notwithstanding
the perils of a north-east wind, has voyaged as far as Ox-
ford; proceed we; therefore, without further preliminaries,
to our task. It seems, that in July, 1826 (a never to be
forgotten epoch), it pleased the Lord Mayor of London,
with that recd for science and gastrcteamy for which his
Lordship is proverbially famed—to undertake the intrepid
task of exploring Oxford, which, as lie had read in books,
was celebrated for the salubrity of its climate and the
civilization of its natives. Accordingly, "on the morning
of the 25th, his private state-carriage, drawn by four
beautiful bays, drove up to the door, at the Mansion-
house. The coachman's countenance was reserved and
thoughtful, indicating full consciousness of the test by
which his equestrian skill would that day be tried." And,
no wonder ; we can conceive nothing more truly touching
than this conduct in a London coachman, whose amiable
sensibilities had, no doubt, been previously awakened by a
separation from his wife and children. But to resume :
On reaching their journey's end, after having been nearly
blown up at Hounslow, the party were formally introduced
to the Mayor, and that sapient synod, the Corporation,
by whom they were made acquainted with the exact lati-
tude and longitude of Oxford. It seems that it is really a
very pretty place (as the Chaplain assures us in a sentence,
just three inches and a half long), and that the natives are
far advanced in intellect—a fact which appears to have
paralysed Alderman Birch, as they were, he observed,
at least sixty miles distant from the Mansion-house. The
day of their arrival was distinguished by a grand public
dinner, at which the two Mayors of town and country,
made speeches at each other, all of which (though not
precisely such as Demosthenes would have made) the
Chaplainhas most religiously embalmed. The next morning
was set apart for exploring the curiosities of this distant
country ; among them were the Bodleian and Radcliffe
Libraries, on which occasion Alderman Magnay, (now, alas,
defunct) observed that "this here book-case, was far from
being equal to that ere book-case." From the Libraries the
party proceeded to the Theatre of Anatomy, where
Doctor Kidd kindly pointed out to their attention " a por-
tion of the alimentary canal of the Turtle," which an in-
quisitive Alderman at first mistook for a portion of the
Caledonian Canal, until fortunately set right by the Re-
gius Professor of Medicine, who moreover informed the
voyagers that " for their nourishment there is a cavity
contrived on each side of the jaw-bane; that the grinders are
behind, because chewing requires considerableforce, and that
the cutters are placed in front ready, for their easier work."
All this was of course highly interesting to these citizens,
one of whom, with a smile of peculiar waggery, remarked
that he was glad the cutters were placed in front, as in
that case they might cut and come again. But " the day,"
—says our Theban historiographer " was now wearing
on, and the Lord Mayor proposed that they should return
to the Inn and take some refreshment. No one felt dis-
posed to decline this proposal, for the refreshing fragrance
of the air (quere, dust) which breathes round the Radcliffe
Library, had made the party by no means incapable—spite
of a most substantial breakfast—of doing honour to a
copious luncheon." It will gratify the public to know
that this luncheon took place at two o'clock, as also that
" the sun was shining full upon the Oxford Gardens at the
time of the Lord Mayor's visit to them," which conduct
we cannot help observing, was highly respectful on the
part of the sun, who entertained no doubt a most
exemplary sense of the honour done to his brilliancy.
After walking till near six o'clock the party returned to
the Star, where, in imposing grandeur, they prepared to
receive their guests. " On this occasion"—adds our historic
Chaplain, "the ladies sat longer than is usual at most tables,"
and after an evening
ssyerit, as Newspapers would say, " in
the utmost harmony," retired to their respective apart-
ments; the ladies attended by the chambermaid, with a
warming-pan, and the gentlemen by boots, with a flat
candlestick. The next morning was appointed far the
momentous business of embarkation ; " the state-vessel
(our sensibilities are shocked at being compelled to call it
the City Barge,) oa the sides of which ten splendid
scarlet silk banners* brightened, as they waved gently, yet
• We learn from good authority that the ten scarlet banners
which waved so grandly in the sun, were nothing more than ten
•old towels, five of which were borrowed from the waiter at the
Stir, st sixpence or sevenpence, we forget which, s-beed.