OXFORD,

FROM IFLEY.

IFLEY, the beautiful spot from whence this view is taken, is situated on an eminence rising from the Thames, about a mile and an half from Oxford, and commands, as the engraving is intended to display, every towering object in that city. The Castle, St. Peter's and St. Aldate's churches, Tom Tower Christ Church, the Cathedral of that College, All Saints Church, Merton College, St. Mary's Church, Radcliffe Library, All Souls College, and Magdalen Tower, are distinctly marked.

The University of Oxford, whether considered for its edificial magnificence, its great antiquity, the scientific apparatus it possesses, and the application which is and has for ages been made of it for the advancement of every branch of learning and science, is a proud boast of the country which it adorns.

The name of this renowned place has been the source of serious controversy among the etymological antiquaries; some deriving it from Ouseney ford, the ford at or near Ouseney, which is the more obvious derivation; while others contend for Oxenford, or the ford of Oxen. But leaving this question to those who are disposed to attach importance to it, we shall proceed to give a brief account of the place itself,

It will be expected that we should say something of its origin, which by some fanciful writers is thrown back to a period so remote as to render their antiquarian researches not only incredible but ridiculous. It will be sufficient for us, without attempting to trace its earlier history, to state in the year 886 it was the residence of Alfred and his threę sons, Edward, Athelward, and Alsward, and that money was coined there called Ocsnafordia. It shared with almost every other part of the kingdom the reverses which followed from the unsettled state of its government during the two succeeding centuries. It appears, however, to have been fixed upon as a place of conference between Ethelred and the Danes in the year 1015; and that in seven years afterwards, in 1022, Canute assembled here a council of the nation, when the laws of Edward the Confessor were translated into Latin, and published for the regulation of all the subjects of the kingdom both English and Danes. On the death of the latter monarch in 1056, another great national council was held, and it afterwards became the scene of many important transactions. The Castle was erected by Robert D'Oilie, at the command of William the Conqueror in the year 1071; a work of great strength and considerable extent, as appears by the massy ruins which still remain.

The City, properly so called, was formerly surrounded with a wall and bastions, and is about two miles in circumference. The principal street runs from east to west, the entire length of the town, but under different names: the High Street, beginning at Magdalen Bridge, includes at least two-thirds of the whole: the remainder is called Castle Street. The former, when its length, breadth, and the buildings which form it are brought as it were into one view, may be considered as the finest street in Europe. It is not quite straight, which, by the different scenery its curve affords, increases the beauty and heightens the picturesque effect of the whole.

The principal entrance into this place is over a stone bridge of eleven arches, and five hundred and twenty-six feet in length, stretching over two distinct branches of the Cherwell and the land that divides them. It is a handsome structure, built from a design of Mr. Gwyn, who was a native of the city and architect to the University, which is indebted to him for many judicious alterations and improve

ments.

At the foot of this bridge is Magdalen College, whose lofty tower which is one hundred and fifty feet in height, is a very,

OXFORD.

fine specimen of that which is generally called the Gothic style. It was erected in the year 1492 under the direction of Cardinal Wolsey, at that time fellow and burser of the college. The Chapel is a handsome and well-proportioned building. The west window, painted in chiaro oscuro, was done after a design of Schwartz: there is somewhat of grandeur in the whole, which represents the Resurrection; but the beauty of the painting is much impaired. The altar-piece was painted by Isaac Fuller, an English history painter of no great name, about an hundred and fifty years ago. Beneath is a picture of Christ bearing his Cross: the principal figure is supposed to be by Guido; the accessory parts are evidently by a far inferior pencil. The interior of the cloisters is decorated, or disgraced by hieroglyphics, which, Dr. Stukeley says, are whimsical figures that serve to amuse the vulgar, and must have been the licentious inventions of the mason. - The walks of this college form a beautiful scene of seclusion: a particular part of them is called Addison's Walk, it being traditionally said to have been a favourite scene of his juvenile meditations.

Nearly opposite to Magdalen College is the Physic Garden, whose gateway is of the Doric order, from a design by Inigo Jones; nor does it derogate from his great professional name.

On proceeding up the High Street, Queen's College appears on the north side of it. This structure, which is of stone, was begun about the year 1672, and bears some resemblance to the style of the Luxemburgh Palace in Paris. The two projecting sides of the building are united by a wall with a spacious central gateway, over which is the statue of Queen Caroline, under a dome supported by columns; a noble ornament, but in a most tasteless situation. The roof of the Chapel, which is arched, is painted by Sir James Thornhill. The windows are of stained glass, the subjects of which are scriptural, and display an uncommon brilliancy in the colours..

University College is on the opposite side of the High Street. Its noble front extends two hundred and sixty feet, replete with ancient and simple grandeur. The altar window of the Chapel was given by Dr. Radcliffe, the celebrated physician, of whom there is a statue over the north gate. In other parts of the College there are statues of King Alfred, James the Second, Queen Mary the consort of William the Third, and Queen Anne.

All Souls College is also in the High Street. - The altarpiece represents the Assumption of the founder, Archbishop Chichely, by Sir James Thornhill. Beneath it, in the compartment over the communion table, is a picture by Mengs: the subject is Christ's first appearance to Mary Magdalen after his Resurrection. There is much clear and brilliant colouring in this picture, particularly in the body of the principal figure. An engraving was made from it by the late Mr. Sherwin. The Library is a noble room; and, among its valuable collection of books contains all the drawings left behind him by that great architect Sir Christopher Wren, who was some time a fellow of the College.

St. Mary's Church is another superb ornament of the High Street, and is appropriated to the use of the University. The body of it was erected in the reign of Henry the Seventh; and the ponderous tower, with its lofty and finely ornamented spire, was added by the first Bishop of Oxford in the reign of Henry the Eighth. The elegant portico was raised by Dr. Owen, chaplain to Archbishop Laud, in the year 1687.

The High Street receives an additional decoration from the beautiful Church of All Saints. This fabric is enriched within and without with Corinthian pilasters: an attic story and balustrade completes its exterior appearance; while a curious fret ceiling, handsome altar, and appropriate ornaments, compose its interior finishing. The steeple is lofty and light, and rises into a spire. The architect was Doctor Aldrich, Dean of Christ Church.