Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-07-06
lIISCE Y.
An English University.
BY HENRY WARD BEECHLR.
OXFORD

In drawing near to Oxford, felt the zeal
going up in the thermometer ; and dusky
shadows of olden histories began to arise. |
had a distinct picture of the place in my
mind, at least of the University, imagined
it to be a group of buildings say eight or
ten III number, uI rnirg upon Il common court,
not unlike the cotton-iactory style of archi-
lecture which prevails in New England col
leges. ! had no very distinct idea Of their
number or extent, but clear impression that,
more or fewer, they were grouped together
upon some one spot.
Accordingly, | inquired with innocent
simplicity Of a gentleman next to me, in what
part of the town the University buildings
were, and was answered promptly, " In every
part they are scattered all over the city"
Imagine, then, city Of twenty-five thou
sand inhabitants, not with narrow streets,
and continuous stone houses and shops, like
commercial cities nor yet, like rural city,
full Of yards and gardens but something
distinct from either. and peculiar-a city of
castles and palaces
The University comprises twenty distinct
colleges and five halls The colleges are
| Incorporated possessing their own rights,
/ building, grounds, revenues, laws and Off
GERS. The halls are not incorporated or
endowed with estates but, in other respects
I
| Here, then, are twenty ytive suits Of buildings
| distributed throughout the city
You must not after IL moment imagine a
strait-sided, bald rectangular, fvestory build
ing. Exercise all such brick parallelograms
from your thoughts ; and call up instead
images Of castles, palaces, ornate galleries
and atheneums, and that too of the most
| imposing dimensions. The buildings of Mag
dalen college over eleven a res and of gar
dens and decorated grounds, there are one
hundred acres more Christ Church college
is much more extensive than this. You
would suppose yourself under the battle
ments ofa old warlike castle The front
line Of wall is four hundred feet, with tur-
rets, bastion, and huge octagonal tower for
IA gateway. The college buildings are arrang-
ed in systems Of quadrangles, called famil-
iarly quads.
Thus a central plat Of ground is enclosed
on every side by the magnificent and cuntin-
uous college structures, running four hundred
by about two hundred and sixty feet and
this forms the Great Quadrangle. \ huge
gateway opens out Of this into another such
quadrangle. named the Peckwater, but o.
less dimensions and the Canterbury Quad
range, again, opens out of this. The build
ings are Of different styles of architecture
Indeed, Christ Church College represents
almo=t the hietory OF architecture, from the
times of the Saxons to Sir Christopher Wren
And the diversities and contrasts of architec
ture increase the impression of vastness anC
endless extent
, 1t was vacation, and the buildings wer
; for the most part vacant. The frank AM
gay face of my guide seemed a charm to opel
doors seldom open to visitors. Had | com
to Oxford to take an honorary degree, shoul
have faile d to see much that was shown l.
IN m Of ba nbapl
butteries, the dining halls, and rehearsal o
the habits of both students and professors
satisfied me that there was most excelleu
drill OF the animal man, whatever befel tn
moral and intellectual development. Tn
plump, jovial, rubicund professors of cuisin
were obligingly communicative, giving SAVIOR
explanationsofever rything that seemed strang
to Inc. They courteousy profered me
complimentary mutton chop and gave m
knowing laugh when | declined beer an
. wine, us articles that | never employed. .
6 thing more utterly inconceivable than delit
crate rejection Of good wine and beer, coul
= not be told to an Oxford butler.
= At Christ Church College kitchen | wa
4 shown an enormous gridIron, nearly five fee
=. square, formerly used before tho introduC
tion Of ranges. | could not but imagine
n fancy hereto, broiling upon it, like shrun
robin, They seemed hurt at the suggestion
assured Inc that 1t had never served sue
uses, and swung 1t aside by its chain whic
suspended it, as if the associations of sue
relic had been ungenerously offended.
When we speak Of dining halls. pray di
miss all modern halls or hotel saloons fro
your mind. Summon up rather the mobiles
u. cathedral-hke apartment, Of the highe'
architectural embellishments impressive
IN its very space, and hung, often profusel,
with portraits and pictures You would SUI
pose upon entering that you saw "A tab
stretched in Gothic church, or in some va
library, or in some picture gallery,
D. The Hall of Jesus College Is thirty by sixt
n feet in dimensions, with an arched ceilin
:. designed by Sir Christopher Wren, That
~ ~ New College is scventy-eight by thirty-f
re feet, Wadham College hall is eighty-tv
by thirty five, and thirty seven feet high
The Hall of Christ Church College is OF