of architectural features; one side, however, is much adorned by a part of the chapel, which has high pointed windows, and ornamented buttresses, from which project corbels carved into fantastical figures. In this court are placed the warden's lodgings, a low building, supposed to be in part coeval with the foundation.

A handsome arch leads to the inner quadrangle, which was formed at the expense of the society in 1610, and is 110 feet long, and 100 in breadth. This court is regular, and the whole is in a pleasing style of Gothic, except a central elevation on the southern side, which surmounts the gate conducting to the gardens; and there we find successive ranges of pillars of the Corinthian, Doric, Ionic, and Tuscan orders. In an upper compartment are placed the arms of James I.

Two sides of the third court, which is on a very contracted scale, are occupied by the Library. This building was founded by William Rede, Bishop of Chichester, in the year 1376, and is calculated to excite the utinost veneration in the beholder, since it is assuredly the most ancient structure of its kind in England. It is a low building, with a range of narrow oblong windows surmounted by four low towers, lighted by small casements. The glass of each division has been at different times ornamented with armorial bearings. The roof is of wood, arranged in angular compartments; and the wainscotting is at one end carved into architectural allusions. We have already observed that many of the valuable manuscripts originally contained in this library were destroyed or dispersed by the injudicious agents of Reformation in 1550.

The Hall is a plair but respectable structure, ascended by a flight of steps, and contains several portraits, together with a large picture by Dr. Wall, which represents the founder's triumph over indolence and bigotry, as exemplified in the dispersion of monkish gloom by the introduction of scholastic discipline. This hall has been frequently honoured by the presence of crowned heads, as it has been customary, since the foundation of Christ

Church,

Church, for the king to reside in that college, but the queen at Merton, during the visits of the court.*

The University can scarcely boast of a Gothic building more impressively fine than the Chapel. This edifice was raised about the year 1424, on the ruins of a very ancient pile, and is, likewise, the parish church of St. John Baptist.† 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 jagged pinnacles. The windows of the choir are richly painted with representations of saints; and those of the cross aisle are fine specimens of the pointed style of architecture in its most fortunate era; but the great eastern window is the most striking. The masonry is exquisitely delicate, and the lower compartments are ornamented with painted glass by Price, executed in 1700, expressive of different passages in scripture. The upper sections, including a wheel of St. Catharine, finely worked, are completely filled by coloured glass, the sedate tints of which bestow relief, and add much to the captivating effect of the whole. The altar-piece beneath this window is a Crucifixion, supposed to be painted by Tintoret ; but it is not nearly equal in colouring or combination to many pictures by that master.

Near the altar is the monument of Sir Thomas Bodley, with his bust, surrounded by books, and other emblems of study and science; and also a cenotaph in honour of Sir Henry Savile, who was buried at Eton. An unornamented tablet, on the left of the altar, records the talents and virtues of Bishop Earle, whose delicacy

* It is worthy of remark that the first common-room known in the University was fitted up at this college, in the year 1661.

+ The church of St. John originally belonged to the abbey of Reading, and was, by one of the abbots, given to De Merton, in 1265. Oliver, Bishop of Lincoln, made it a collegiate church in 1292. The chapel, as it now ap. pears, probably formed only a part of the builder's design. The general character of the structure is so distinct from that usually adopted in the construction of chapels, that there is reason to believe the founder intended the building to be cruciform, in resemblance of a cathedral.

delicacy of wit and accurate knowledge of human manners are so fully displayed in the little work termed Microcosmography.

In the ante-chapel is a particularly fine cross, commemorative of Johannes Bloxham and Johannes Whytton, the first a warden of Merton, and the latter a benefactor to the college. Near the north door lies Antony Wood. His arms are displayed on a small mural tablet, with an inscription, which merely informs the reader that he was an antiquary, and notices his age, and the time at which he died.

In the list of eminent persons, connected with so ancient a college, we naturally expect to find men who are rather traditionally famous, than familiarly venerated through the medium of their works. Accordingly, we meet with John Duns, better known by the appellation of Duns Scotus,* and titled by the University of Paris, on account of his skill in logical disputation, the subtle Doctor. William Ockham, a pupil of Duns Scotus, and founder of the sect of Schoolmen termed Ockhamists. Ockham opposed the assumptions of the Pope, in regard to temporalities, with so much spirit and success, that he thought himself entitled familiarly to say to the Emperor of Germany, "if you will defend me by your sword, I will defend you by my pen.” This renowned champion was styled the singular and invincible Doctor. John Wickliffe was likewise fellow of Merton, and he was termed, by those friendly to his sentiments, Doctor Evangelicus.

In succeeding ages this college has produced Sir Henry Savile, one of the most celebrated scholars of the seventeenth century. Dr. Harvey, who, by discovering the circulation of the blood, conferred so much benefit on medical science. Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, the parliamentary general. Antony Wood, the Oxford antiquary; and Sir Richard Steele, a man qualified to lay the foundation of national improvement, but fated to lose the merit of his exertions through irregularity of habit. His wit was VOL. XII.

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From a MS. in Merton Library, it appears that Duns was born in the village of Dunstan, in the county of Northumberland.