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lished by carving attributed to Gibbons. The altar-piece is a Salvator Mundi, after Carlo Dolce, burned in wood (beech) by Dr. Griffith. This curious performance is surrounded by carving, supposed, like that in the screen, to be the work of Gibbons. Assuredly it is not equal in execution to the carving in the chapel of Trinity College; but, perhaps, some delicacy of tool may be hidden by the load of varnish with which this carving is encumbered. The ceiling is of groined Gothic, and is eminently chaste and attractive. The ante-chapel contains an interesting monument of Sir William Jones, presented by his widow, and executed by Flaxman. It is a composition highly creditable to the talents of that artist. The bas-relief is supported by tyger's heads, and represents the lamented subject of the funereal trophy engaged in a digest of the Hindoo Code, with Bramins in attendance. Emblems of classical grace and eastern acquirement surmount the monumental inscription.

The present Library was completed in 1669. The works here collected are numerous, and of a valuable description.

The Hall is a spacious and handsome room, begun in 1640, but not completed till the more tranquil days of Charles II. Until the year 1766, this apartment was warmed, in the ancient mode, by a stove in the centre. The present chimney-piece is an elegant Gothic combination, presented by Sir Roger Newdigate. At the lower end of the room is a screen of wood, tastefully arranged in the same style with the beautiful chimney-piece. The south window has some painted glass, by Giles; and the roof is ornamented with various armorial bearings. This very handsome refectory contains the following portraits: Sir Roger Newdigate, a liberal friend to the institution, and one of the representatives of the University in several Parliaments. Lord Radnor. Sir William Scott. Sir Robert Chambers; a portrait possessed of much spirit and character, taken, with some slight alterations, from a painting done in the east. A full length of Lord Moira, by Hoppner, presented by his Lordship.

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In the Common Room is a fine bust of Alfred, by Wilton, from Rysbrach's model. This apartment is, likewise, embellished by the portraits of King Henry IV. and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, burned in wood by Dr. Griffith. Such a style of delineation is, perhaps, curious rather than desirable; but there is a great portion of spirit infused into the latter piece. The common rooin of University College was a favored place of resort with Dr. Johnson, and a fine print of the great moralist acts as a memorial of that circumstance. An engraved likeness of Sir William Jones is placed as a companion. In the ante-room is a good bust of Mr. Pitt, presented to the college by the younger students.

Among the eminent persons connected with this house, besides Walter Skirlaw, Bishop of Durham, whose fortunate peculiarity of circumstances we have before noticed, are Richard Flemming, Bishop of Lincoln, founder of Lincoln College; Potter, Archbishop of Canterbury, author of the Grecian Antiquities; Lord Herbert, of Cherbury, the most eccentric character of his era, but, certainly, an accomplished scholar, and a man of intentional rectitude; William Smith, the judicious writer respecting the foundation of this college; the Rev. Joseph Bingham, author of the Origines Ecclesiastica; Dr. Radcliffe was of University before he removed to Lincoln College; Carte, the historian, afterwards of Cambridge, took his first degree here; Iago, the elegiac poet, was servitor at this college; Sir Robert Chambers, second Justice of the Supreme Court of Judicature in Bengal; Sir William Jones, a bright example to the literary world!— "I am not insensible," says Sir William, " to the charms of pleasure, but I love fame better." He pursued his object steadily, and his name will receive the applause of posterity.

The society consists of a master, twelve fellows, and seventeen scholars. The king is visitor.

WORCESTER

WORCESTER COLLEGE

is agreeably situated on a slight eminence, near the bank of the river Isis, at the western extremity of the city. On the same spot formerly stood Gloucester Hall, a seminary in which the Benedictine Monks of Gloucester studied Philosophy and Theology. This seminary was governed by a prior, and was found of so eligible a description, that it, at length, received students from many of the most important abbeys in England. The scholars were allowed to take degrees as in the other learned establishments of the University.

At the Dissolution the premises were bestowed on certain individuals; but, when Oxford was created a see, they were chosen for the residence of the bishop. They were soon, however, resumed by the crown, and were granted by Elizabeth, in the second year of her reign, to William Doddington, of whom they were purchased by Sir Thomas White. Sir Thomas had recently founded the college of St. John; and he constituted his new purchase an appendage to the foundation, under the name of St. John Baptist's Hall. Within the walls he speedily settled a principal, who was to be a fellow of St. John's, and a hundred scholars, the chief of whom he maintained at his sole expense. When the buildings were purchased by Sir Thomas White, they were altogether in a decayed state; and the chapel and library had fallen a complete sacrifice to King Henry's agents. But a due succession of principals continued till the beginning of the eighteenth century. The number of scholars, however, gradually diminished; and, in 1678, the hall was inhabited only by the principal, and a few obscure families who were allowed to occupy the rooms gratuitously.

But this deserted edifice was destined to a speedy restoration of celebrity. In the year 1701, Sir Thomas Cookes, of Bentley Pauncefort in the parish of Tardebigg, Worcestershire, Bart. bequeathed the sum of 10,0001. for the erecting of a collegiate

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building in Oxford, and for the maintenance of as many fellows and scholars as the residue of the sum bequeathed would admit; or, otherwise, for the endowing of fellowships, and scholars' places, to be added to a collegiate establishment already existing. A preference in the choice of students to be given to persons educated in the testator's schools of Bromsgrove and Feckenham, and such of them principally as should be of his kindred; or, for want of proper boys in those schools, such as are educated in the free-schools of Worcester, Hartlebury, and Kidderminster, and other free-schools in the county of Worcester.

The sum thus bequeathed accumulated to the amount of 15,000). before the managers determined on the most desirable mode of applying it. Gloucester Hall was at length purchased of St. John's College; and letters patent were obtained from Queen Anne, in 1714, for erecting it iuto a college, by the name of "the Provost, Fellows, and Scholars of Worcester College, in the city of Oxford."

The foundation was fortunate in speedily attracting the notice of benefactors. In 1717, Mrs. Margaret Alcorne, of Oxford, bequeathed one half of her estates, real and personal; but it was proved that she had only a life-interest in the former, and the college, therefore, only obtained 7981. the moiety of her personal property, which was directed, by a decree of Chancery, to be expended on the new buildings. Lady Elizabeth Holford founded two exhibitions of twenty pounds each, for charter-house scholars. Dr. James Fynney, a fellow of St. John's, left 25001. for two fellowships and two scholarships. George Clarke, D. C. L. bequeathed estates for the foundation of six fellowships and three scholarships; and, in 1739, Mrs. Sarah Eaton, daughter of Dr. Eaton, formerly principal of Gloucester Hall, endowed six fellowships and five scholarships, for the sons of clergymen only.

The buildings of Worcester College already completed consist of a chapel, a hall, a library, and an elegant range of apartments on the north for the use of members of the society. The architecture of the whole is of a noble and chaste character. In

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front is the library, a fine structure of the Ionic order, 100 feet in length, with the chapel projecting on one side, and the hall on the other. A spacious cloister supports the library in the front towards the court. The buildings on the north contain three stories of commodious rooms for students, with lodgings for the provost. On the opposite side is a low irregular range, which formed a part of the ancient buildings tenanted by the Benedictine Monks. According to the original design, these low tenements are to be removed, and a pile raised of a character corresponding with the division on the north. It is intended that the court shall open on the west to the college gardens.

The Chapel is a structure of fine proportions, but entirely unornamented, with an exception of the roof, which is delicately stuccoed.

The Hall is sixty feet in length by thirty feet in width, with two Corinthian columns at the western end.

The Library is the most interesting part of the buildings. A gallery runs to the whole extent of this spacious room, and along both ends. Among the books is a valuable collection, particularly rich in architectural works, made by Dr. Clarke, who left a sum for the benefit of a librarian and under-librarian, and also fifty pounds yearly for the augmentation of the books. In this room are the portraits of Sir Thomas Cookes, the founder, and of Dr. Clarke.

Gloucester Hall had the honour of affording education to three bishops. Richard Lovelace, the poet, and Sir Kenelm Digby, likewise studied at the same place. The learned Diggory Wheare was principal from 1626 to 1647.

The present foundation consists of a provost, twenty-one fellows, sixteen scholars, and three exhibitioners.

WADHAM COLLEGE.

On the site of this college formerly stood the priory of Austin Friars, a scholastic house of so much celebrity, that the Univer

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