The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-09-09
Mr.. LANSING'S LETTER.
A Visit to Old Oxford Interestingly
Described.
THE BEAUTY SPOT OF ENGLAND,
zhs BedIsia. Library, Christ Church and
ths Quadrangles, tho Thames, the
Isis and tho Cherwell-And Now for
London.

for Oxford, we, for nearly the first time,
are obliged to retrace our steps, rather
than see something new. This con-
tinues until we reach Bristol. From
Bristol to Oxford is rather tedious
journey. 1t is a very pretty country,
but the speed with which we travel at
fords little opportunity for the travel
ers to enjoy it. There are two towns
which will, however, bear mention.
First is the famous watering place,
Bath. Before it is reached one sees the
fine gray limestone houses peculiar to
the district rising tier upon tier in con-
for1nity with the many hills, to height
of 600 feet above the valley. They are
built very substantially and in uniform
style. and look remarkably handsome,
reminding one Of the beautiful city OF
Edinburgh.
The city or town with 80 to 10000
inhabitants, is especially noted for its
medicinal and health restoring baths,
and is traced by them to the time of the
Romans. There are many hot mineral
springs, especially eficacious in cases of
rheumatism, dyspepsia and skin dis
eases.
AT Swindon are the extensive works
of the Great Western Railway Com
pany. An idea of the number Of the
employees connected with their immense
shops may be obtained with the know
ledge that they draw yearly in salaries
about 100000. At Didcot Junction we
change cars, and soon arrive at our des-
tination.
Oxford Is a quaint and picturesque
place. The ISIS and Cherwell rivers
here unite and practically form the
Thames, although part of the Isis is
thus designatedD while all about are gen.
tie hills rising and forming low water
amphitheatre. Here is situated one of
the oldest and best known universities in
the world. Oxford consists of twenty-four
colleges and three halls, with fifty pro-
fessors, some twenty-seven lecturers and
about 5000 students. The corporations
controlling these colleges in gen.
eral are richly endowed and very
wealthy in themselves, thus afford
ing an opportunity for constant
change and Improvement. The majority
Of the buildings are built of the peculiar
limestone aforementioned, which soon
crumbles and becomes dark, giving an
appearance in a very few years lgke an
cient castles going to ruin. For all
this, they are in many cases as beauti-
fully and extensively carved as if ex-
pected to last for centuries. Unfortu,
nately, the summer term had concluded
some week or more before my arrival.
curtailing in. measure my expected
pleasure. About these buildings there
are expensive plats of grass enclosing in
some cases beautiful examples of the
landscape gardeners skill. In other
places, such as the ''closes" for the pur-o
pose Of giving an opportunity of TN
limited walking, hard gravel is predomi-
nant.
During my stay in the vicinity of
Oxford university was constantly re-
and for that reason, think, if possible,
haps the most comprehensive way to
give You an idea of what Oxford con-
txins will be to take you with me over
the ground travelled and briefly ex-
plain some of the particularly interest
ing sights, with a little historical
memoranda with which to connect
them. 5
Let us start from tho corner of Corn.
market and Broad street, near the
center Of the town. Walking along
Broad street, we soon reach the Shell
donian theater, and after mounting an
easy fight Of stone steps reach the
octagonal cupola, from whose eight
windows o beautiful panorama is spread
before ones eyes. Beautiful towers,
steeples, minirets and fancy tiled roofs,
intermingled with gardens, parks and
groves, and the hills here and there all
conspire against the traveller, until
spontaneously he claps his hands and
murmurs, "beautifuir' The theater
was built in 1S64-9, with the sole idea
of providing commodious and suitable
place for the university students to
deliver orations, receive honorary de-
grees and other exercises. 1t will hold
about 1000 people. Leaving the
theater we find near at hand
the oldest museum in England,
There are many curious and costly curl
osities contained here, and 1t is indeed
well worth visit. Just beyond the
museum on the right is the Divinity
school, erected between 1850. 1t is
indeed traditional spot. Here Latimer
and Ridley in 1866 were summoned to
appear and answer charges before com
missioners. Again in 1926 the House Of
Commons met here, and later, during
the civil war It was used as an armory
and storehouse. Passing through the
quadrangle, we find Immediately facing
us the schools tower, picturesque bit
of Renaissance, upon which are the diff
ferent styles of classic architecture
Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian,
Composite-besides a sculptured fig
ure Of James /. Near at hand is
the Bodleian Library which contains a
valuable collection Of over half mil
hon bound volumes. 1t also enjoys the
benefit, under the copyright act, OF a
copy Of any work published in Great
Britain. 1t Is very quiet, grand place,
and affords the student every opportun-
ity Of obtaining desired information.
An exterior view as we pass is given us
OF the Clarendon Building, erected in
518, and the Indian Institute founded TO
encourage education among the Indians,
which continues 10 foster friendship be-
tween India and England. After pass
ing several smaller institutions we wend
our way to the University Museum.