Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-05-22
A Glimnse of Oxford. mn.

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land more traught with interest his
toric, architectural, or literary-thar
Oxford, the "city of palaces" over whose
crumbling stone walls there floats ;
golden halo of untarnished glory; whose
very atmosphere seems imbued with {
deep tone of culture, learning and digni
fed thought.
AS one stands at the head of High
street, and passes down the long sweep
ing curve, bordered by the gray stone
walls of the old colleges, whose irregular
outlines, battlemented roofs, and rising
towers stand clear cut against the bright
blue sky, one cannot but explain with q
feeling of conviction: "Surely nowhere
is there more satisfactory view of arch.
itectual beauty than here" Every
thing is in harmony with the old build
ings-the quiet winding street, the silent
black gowned students; the dark gloss OF
the clinging ivy; and ever the clear blue
sky and golden sunshine which to-day is
kissing the moss grown roofs, and play
ing at hide and seek among the dim
shadows below.
Turning up St. Aldates street, and pas
sing through the great gateway, in the
tower of which hangs the old bell
"Tom," one enters Christ church, the
college known, perhaps, as the aristo-
cratic one, though whether because of
its connection with the cathedral, and
thence with the ecclesiastical powers of
Oxford, or whether because the nobility
have often chosen that college for their
sons do not know.
The quadrangle which one now enters
is the largest in Oxford, and is known as
the Great Quad" or more often still as
"Tom Quad" 1t is here that one finds
the houses of the dean, the archdean,
and the canons of the cathedral.
1t was my good fortune, not long since,
to enjoy the hospitality of one of these
houses. and to see the inner life of Ok.
ford in manner seldom vouchsafed to
an American. And what could be more
ideal than the life in one of these college
homes? The quiet routine of domestic
pleasures goes hand in hand with the
onward march of the intellectual lie
without, and the daily round of house
hold duties is indissolubly linked to the
systems and orderings of the college it
self
One is awakened in the morning by the
silvery chimes of the cathedral bells or
the deep tones of old "Tom," and upon
descending to breakfast one sees, through
the quaint windows, the white surplices
of the canons, as they hasten across the
quadrangle, ready to break their fast
after the early cathedral service.
Then follows the busy morning of
work. This portion of the day is set
apart for study, and until II o'clock no
undergraduate or fellow is expected to
appear without his black gown and
square cap. 1t is indeed a rule and
therefore becomes irkSome, and one fire.
Quently sees commoner with his short,
black gown tucked under his arm, or
hung over one shoulder, as though he
heartily wished the dangling thing at the
bottom of the sea. l do not, however,
much blame them, for the short, sleeve
less garment is far from becoming, and
besides marks the lowest rank in the
college. The scholars gown is longer
and more graceful, while that of the
dons hangs in full, easy folds to his heels,
and with long open sleeves and tasseled
cap, is, as we all know, most graceful
and picturesque costume.
After luncheon the black gown is
changed for the white boating suit, and
the broad walk leading down to the
river, where the barges are, is full of
eager young men, in their loose shirts,
with the colors of their colleges worked
in front, and their short, wide trousers
and bare knees, as they hurry down to
practice with the oar, only returning in
time for tea.
And oh! those cozy little afternoon
teas in the pleasant drawing rooms of
these college homes, where the young
men, made to feel ever welcome, drop in
with an easy feeling of freedom to enjoy
the fragrant cup; and the graver men,
often of world wide fame, chat over the
dOiDgs of the day and the comings and
goings of great men. The gracious host
ess takes her part in the conversation
and even the chatter of the feminine
caller is turned from trivial gossip to the
discussion of world wide movements.
Later in the day, when the evening
shadows have wrapped the gray old
buildings in dakness and the sound of
passing feet grows less and less, one may
look out and see the long, narrow win
dows of Christ church hall all ablaze
with light and watch the moving figures
passing to and fro. 1t is the dinner hour
and one may imagine the long tables
lined with gay youths and the smaller
table on the raised platform at the end
of the room, where the graver class sit,
and may hear the merry laugh, and the
drinking glass, and fancy the pleasant
dinner talk where wit and wisdom meet.
Still later in the evening, just as the
town clocks are on the stroke of o, one
hears the deep tones old Tom as he sends
forth his one hundred and one hoarse
notes. In past days it was a signal that
the college gates should be closed for the
night and every student within the walls. |
But though the bell still rings and the
gates are supposed to be closed, fear it
would be difficult to enforce the remain
der of the rule.
1t may not be uninteresting to note
that it is in this same Tom Quad that
one finds the home of G. L. Dodgson, the |
author of "Alice in Wonder
land," better known as Lewis Carroll. |
He lives in a pleasant suit of rooms in
the northwest corner of the building
and from his ivy shaded windows can
look down into the pretty green gardens
1T TIE back.
Almost every morning between the
hours of and 8 O'Clock he may be seen
issuing from the small dark doorway
and walking along the open stone clois-
ters in the direction of Peekwater.
He is said to be most delightful and
genial man and great favorite with
children, of whom he is very fond, but
ne also is most eccentric and chief
among his peculiarities is a perfect ter
'or of publicity. He studiously avoids