New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
OXFORD AND ITS LEGEND.
ALFRED NJ. COLLETT, OF OXFORD. LECT-
URES BEFORE THE ASSOCIATES OF
THE SISTERS OF ST. MARY.
TIE ROOMS OF TIE CHURCH CLUB so CROWDED
THAT WOMEN STOOD THROUGHOUT
THE EXERCISI

THE EXERCISES
Alfred NJ. Coett delivered the fifth In his In
terestng course Of lectures English cathedral
towns on Saturday morning at II o'clock. The Rect
ures are given In the rooms Of the Church Club
Fifth-ave. and Forty-seventh-st., under the ai-
spices Of the Associates OF the Sisters of ST. Mary.
The subject on Saturday oxford" theme
on which Mr.. Collett spoke amore as he is
a graduate Of Oxford, and has studied It from the
inside Beginning with the earliest tradition. the
lecturer referred 10 the legend. accepted for
turtles. that the university was found by Alfred
the Great. Unfortunately. this legend" ead he
has been dsproved within tho present century
and its probable founda ton assigned to the reign
Of Henry /, when Prior Quimond instituted a
school for young mon, free from the RESTRICT ons
Of the monastery and designed solely for collegiate
Instructions curious illustration Of the tendency
toward the ideas of the Reformation even In that
early period. Every century added 10 the nucleus
established. until oxford University became the
grand fact 1t has been so long, and will remain
while the English remains. 1t consists now OF
twenty,three colleges and five smaller halls"
A singular fact in connection with the legend
essociating Alfred the Great with the founding OF
oxford related by the lecturer.
In the last century the university objected to
decisions OF the vice-cha ncelor. who IA
considered the ruling power. as the chancellor is
a dlgnitary Of such Importance that he never
takes part IN practical matters: the university
accordingly. solemny claimed that lower au-
thority than the ruling monarch would be ad-
mitted the founder and patron was King
Alfred The highest tribunal acknowledged the
Justice OF the claim. and to-day Queen Victoria is
the head OF Oxfori University II she chooses TO
assert her rightfu prorogatve
Many interesting local customs were touched
upon. Half of the police force OF the city, Tor
instance s under the control of the town author-
ties. ana the other half Is controlled by the uni
versity government Troubles OF any kind no
matter how grave. in which the students are IN
voved solely under the cognlzance or the
university. which permits no interference ,
After the brie. historical account OF town ana col
leges Mr. Coeti took up the descriptive portion or
his topic with many illustrations OF great artistic
charm. .,
ful and interesting being the entrance TO O%fori
Magdae.i Bridge. the stone opcn-air pulpit IN
Magdalen College. the water walks with their ave
College the college interiors and fine .coored
the World"
Many interesting spories were related the
pictures passed under review. Godston Nunnerv
recalled that unhappy Rosamond called the talr
said 10 have been imprisoned there. In the ASH
among them the sword sent by Pope Leo 10 King
Henry VIII when he named him Defender OF me
Faith TIE beautiful rerfdos OF All ,o souls a one SG o.
den for indefinitely long time behind plaster
and ath wall. and was discovered IL the , cen
lett was know by Al souls and no bodies.
there only four students upon its roll, and
tire college was Occupied almost exclusively by fell
noble names have been npon The roll o. ali Souls
among them Christopher Wren and John Ruskln'
course 10 be given by request and will be at tho
place on Saturday next nj II a. m. The lee.
tlre;r9om although large. has been crowded
ing the lecturer the complim mt of standing.