much simplicity. The college was originally erected, in the fifteenth century, by two successive Bishops of Lincoln; a circumstance not to be wondered at, when it is remembered for how long a period Oxford had formed a part of that diocese prior to the reign of Henry VIII. The Chapel was built by another prelate of the same see, in the beginning of the seventeenth century; the Hall by Dean Forest, in 1636; but the interior of the latter was repaired, and brought to its present state, by Lord Crew, Bishop of Durham, in 1701. The whole south court, or smaller quadrangle, was constructed about the year 1612. Nothing of very peculiar interest will detain us in our examination of Lincoln College:-but

MAGDALEN COLLEGE must be regarded as taking a high place among the noblest institutions, and most interesting buildings, of the University. It stands at the eastern extremity of the city, on the bank of the river Cherwell. The side toward the High Street is ornamented by a lofty tower of beautiful proportions, with an open parapet at top, surmounted by eight pinnacles. The chief entrance is to the west, and, we lament to say, by a modern, inappropriate, heavy Doric portal. The greater part of the buildings, liaving been perfected during the life of the founder, Bishop Waynfleet, in

institution, though allowed to continue to the present day, was of course appropriate only at the period immediately subsequent to its foundation. This was so long back as the year 1379; the founder being William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester. The side of the quadrangle formed by the chapel and hall, is a chaste and interesting specimen of Gothic beauty; but little of Wykeham's spirit remains in the aspect of the other buildings, owing to their numerous alterations. The Garden Court, completed in 1684, is said to have been built in imitation of the palace of Versailles. Cloisters, as a collegiate appendage, were first introduced by Wykeham. Here they are ranged in a quadrangular form, and have an arched roof of oak. Unlike the cloisters of Magdalen, these solemn avenues, together with the area they enclose, are consecrated for the purpose of burial; and many distinguished members of the institution are interred beneath the pavement.

The exterior of the Chapel is every way worthy of the founder, and the interior is equally so of the name of Wyatt. The genius of Westmacott also is conspicuous in some small compartments of delightful sculpture, in altorelievo, placed over the communion-table. The painted windows add yet more to the captivating splendour of this chapel; they

are the more interesting as they are of various ages and degrees of perfection, the oldest, which are in the ante-chapel, being probably coeval with the completion of the building. The great west window, for beauty of design, exquisite disposition of light and shade, and fascinating general effect, far excels every thing else of its kind in the University. It was executed by Jervais, from cartoons by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Nothing but the most elaborate description could give the faintest idea of this grand specimen of the art, which it is impossible to recommend too highly to the attention of the stranger.

The Hall, one of the most spacious rooms in the University, contains a fine picture by one of the Caracci, of the Adoration of the Shepherds, presented by the Earl of Radnor. There are likewise several portraits, among which is one of the founder.

The collection of books in the Library is extremely valuable. The interior of its upper story, dedicated to works of miscellaneous literature, has been rebuilt of late years by Wyatt.

The extensive gardens of New College, separated from the modern court by an iron palisade formerly belonging to the magnificent Chandos palace at Canons, are laid out with

the fifteenth century, is nobly Gothic. The great quadrangle, which is entered by a smaller court, is composed of the hall, the chapel, the library, a part of the president's lodgings, and chambers for the fellows and demies. An air of venerable grandeur pervades the whole. A fine cloister, whose roofing is of ribbed oak, runs to the extent of each side; and no innovating hand has presumed to injure the sedate, though magnificent character of the surrounding buildings. The Chapel is a beautiful Gothic structure, with windows finely decorated with painted glass by Egginton: the altar-piece, by Fuller, representing the Last Judgment, is a professed but not very happy copy of the manner of Michael Angelo. outside of the Hall is by no means so conspicuous for beauty as many other parts of the original buildings: the interior however, roofed in modern Gothic by the hand of Wyatt, is spacious, well-proportioned, and elegant. One side of a new and spacious quadrangle was erected in the last century, in a handsome, substantial style; but the remaining. three sides have not since been proceeded with. Attached to this college are pleasure-grounds of the most inviting description, though arranged at different periods, and consequently evincing great varieties of taste.

The

MERTON COLLEGE-the most ancient incorporated establishment in Oxford, having been founded by Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester, and Chancellor of England in the reign of Henry III.—will not particularly interest, farther than as regards its Chapel. This edifice, which arose about the year 1424, on the ruins of a very ancient pile, is likewise the parish church of St. John the Baptist. The University can scarcely boast of a Gothic building more impressively fine. It consists of a choir, a cross aisle, and an ante-chapel, and has a well proportioned square tower, with an open parapet surmounted by pinnacles. The windows of the choir are richly painted with figures of saints; and those of the cross aisle are fine specimens of the pointed style of architecture in its happiest era: the great east window is yet more striking for its exquisitely delicate masonry. The altar-piece beneath this window is a Crucifixion, attributed to Tintoret.

NEW COLLEGE presents one of the noblest specimens of architecture contained in the University; consisting of a spacious quadrangle, with attached chapel, hall, and library, a fine range of consecrated cloisters, and a series of buildings for the use of students termed the Garden Court. The name of this scholastic

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