Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-05-29
A GIimnse of Oxford. ".

Leaving the bright, pleasant room, we
wendell our way through the dark old
buildings of Corpus Christi. passed
Oriel, with its beautiful quadrangle and
enhance way; passed the church OF st.
Mary, the Virgin, with its columns of
twishted marble and Brazenase, with its
nose of brass over the gateway, until we
came to the chapel of Lincoln college,
with its broad screen of sweet smelling
cedar wood, whose heavy perfume per-
vades the whole atmosphere, lulling
ones senses and bringing to mind
strange pictures of that mighty temple
of old, all ceiled with cedar of Leb-
anon and overlaid with pure gold. From
thence on to Balliol college, stern, dig
nified Balliol, celebrated for its high
standard of learning and the studious,
steady character of its inmates.
1t is related that once a freshman at
Balliol, neglecting his studies, and Civ
ing himself up more TO sports and pleas
ures and gay, rollicking idleness, was as
sailed by some of his fellow students,
and advised to remove to some other
college, for" said they, it is not the
fashion to be lazy at Balliol."
1t does not surprise me that at BalliOl
one is particularly imbued with desire
to study, for. setting aside the influence
felt from a past superiority which each
one feels compelled by sense of pride
to support and salty in himself, there is
peculiar beauty and restfulness in the
library of that college which would
prove strong attraction to many. The
walls are lined with bookcases filled
with old golden-brown books, and be.
tween each case, reaching high up to
the ceiling, is richly stained glass win
dow. The effect of the warm crimson
and purple light, and the rich hue OF
the old yellow and brown books in their
dark bookcases, is very beautiful.
And now, retracing our steps as far as
Radcliff library, we entered that great
circular building, and passing through
the lofty reading room, began the as
cent of the narrow spiral stairway. II
was quite climb, but the view from the
roof well repays the trouble. The 'olC
city beneath seems forest of slender
spires, massive towers and battlementeC
roofs, all interspersed with greer
meadows and waving trees, with the
classic Isas winding like molten silver a
its edge.
Then to the right is the cathedral'l
pointed spire, and the shining dome o.
Toms Tower. And there are Uterlon'i
clustering buildings, and New college
whose somber walls proclaim its mis-
nomer; and Magdalen's graceful pima
Giles, and far over in the distance is tn,
great massive Tower of Oxford, all tina
remains of the ancient Norman castle
But though some of its stones hav
crumbled away, and its walls are covered
with MOSES and grasses, it still looks a
impregnable and enduring as an Easter
NOR olith, seeming to bid defiance t.
time and decay, and to stand solitar
and sad, but still immovable, with it
mind ever in the dim tumultuous past
when armed men beat in vain against it
solid wall, and the glitter of steel flashe,
in the sun, and the clash of arms an
the charge of battle rang through tn
air. Ali then it was in the heyday O
its glory and strength. But now-th
dilapidated mill which trickles clos
against its stony side is of more use tina
the hoary headed old stronghold, and tn
tumbling cottages at its feet seem
have better resson for existence tina
the poor giant in his to'itude. No, b.
lieye it not, fer though your active wor