The Weekly comet. [volume] (Baton Rouge, La.) 1853-1855, 1853-09-04
UNIVERSITY AND Cry OF OxFoRD |
Juty 23ra. 1853. {

| Deuf lfDknPt - he GUn110ual WH
weather since my arrival in this conn
try has prevented me from seeing any
thing that | think would be interest
ing to you or your readers to heal
about. The good people here inform
me that they have had fifteen wei
days in succession previous to my ar
rival, and it has rained more or less
every day since, making in all twenty
eight days. The weather has more
over been quite cold SO much SO, that
| have found it necessary to have q
fire in my room the greater part ol
the time. Thousands Of acres Of the
best medow land in England have been
inundated. and itnmenee quantities of
lay, have been swept away or render
cd worthless, the disease has com
nleneed its destruction amongst the
potatoes. and take il all in all, | fear
lis summer will prove TO be one that
will long be remembered with sor-
'ow by the poor The grain crops
however are very abundant and only
p1uire fine warm weather, to reward
he hushandman with heavy harvest
# The best quality.
This being the first fair day since
my arrival | have availed myself Of
he opportunity to visit the glorious
ID eitv from which this communicable
. dattd-a place not excelled in the
world for picturesque beauty, historical
antiquity, and classic lore. A month
would not suffice TO visit every thing
interesting III city that abounds with
works Of art Of every description, by
he greatest masters. with its magni-
ieent buildings and libraries. | will
Consequently content myself with en-
leavoling to describe one Of Its beau-
les, only. that have visit to-day, vis
christ Church College.
This College was founded by Car
dinal Wolsev in 1924. and is located
N spot that had been dedicated to
learning and religion for many eentu-
,ries previous to that time. Portions
of this vast structure. particularly the
Cathedral. exhibit specimens OF arch
i'ecture belonging TO every age from
\ he times Of the rude Saxon to the
present day, and covering a space Of
14oo years. This noble building has
a frontage on Saint Aldates street of
400 feet. and its many turrets, bastions
and battlemants give it more the APP
pearance Of a noble castle, than
place dedicated TO the peaceful pnr-
suits of learning and religion. The
main enterance is through the 'Tom
Gate" over which rises magnificent
gateway and tower-the tower is
octagonal in shape, Of the Gothic or
Ter Of architecture. very high and Of
The most beautiful proportions. In
The cupola Of this splended structure
hangs the immence bell, called "Great
Tom of Oxford" from which the EN-
trance receives its name. The metal
of this bell is very old, it having for
nerly belonged to Osnly Abbey from
with n vast quantity Of other
Church property, 1t was taken at the
ime religious institutions of the Ro-
nan or Monastic order were abolished
Tom" was re-cast on the
ssb of April 1880, and is Of the follow
ng weight aud dimensions weight
II l7ooo--thickness, 8 / inches--Height
feet 8 inches-diameter Z feet / inch
the weight being more than double
hat of the great bell Of st. Paul's
Cathedral in London. On entering
he "Tom Gate,' the largest and most
quadrangle in Oxford, pre-
'ents itself surrounded with wide
walk and having in its centre
/ resivour and fountain. The dimen-
lions Of this magnificent quadrangle
ire 284 feet by 26l feet. The next
yreat object of attraction is the Hall"
"a splendid room $50 feet long, 40
eet wide, and so feet in height, the
'oof bears the date 1929, and is of
'ichly carved oak, elegantly and pro-
usly decorated with the armorial
bearings of the Eight English Harry"
The most interesting TEXTURES of the
Hall" are the numerous busts and
pictures with which it is adorned
them are to be found the
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