that celebrated Architect Sir Chriftopher Wren, at the expence of Archbishop Sheldon, the Chancellor, in 1669, and coft his Grace 15000l. to which he added 2000% to purchase lands for the perpetual. repair of it. On the weft fide of the Theatre ftands the Ahmolean Museum, a handfome Edifice, built by the Univerfity at the requeft of Elias Afhmole, Efq; Windfor Herald to King Charles II. who placed here all the. Rarities he had collected and purchased, particularly from the two Tradefcant. The Building was completed in 1682, under the conduct of Sir Christopher Wren, and is admired for its Symetry and Elegance. The Eastern Portico is highly finished in the Corinthian Order, and adorned with Variety of Characteristical Em-. bellishments. Mr. Afbmole presented to the University a valuable Collection of Natural Curiofities, Coins and Manufcripts, together with three Gold Chains, one of philigrain work, he had received as honorary Prefents. from the King of Denmark and other Princes on Oc-'casion of his Book on the Order of the Garter. This Repofitory has been greatly enriched by feveral ample and valuable benefactions. The principal Natural Curiofities are the Collection of Bodies,, Horns, Bones, &c. of Animals preferved dry, or in Spirits; curious and numerous Specimens of Metals and Minerals; Dr. Lifter's Collection of Shells, Ores Foffils, &c. moft of which are published in his Synopfis. Conchyliorum, and in the Philofophical Tranfactions. Its two firft Keepers were Dr. Robert Plott and Mr.. Edward Lhwyd, the former of which depofited here all his Natural Bodies mentioned in his Hiftories of Staffordshire and Oxfordshire; and the latter his Col lections, lections in his Travels through England, Wales, and Ireland. Mr. Borlace, Author of the Natural Hiftory of Corwall, prefented alfo to this Mufeum the Specimens of Chrystals, Mundicks, Coppers, Tins, &c. defcribed in that Work. The large Magnet, given by the Countess of Weftmorland, is of an oval Shape, 18 inches long, 12 wide, and fupports a Weight of 145 Pounds. Three curious Pieces of Art deferve particular Notice, viz. a Model of a Ship; a Picture of our Saviour going to his Crucifixion, composed of the most beautiful lively Feathers; and an ancient Piece of St. Cuthbert, made by Order of King Alfred. The laft and very entertaining Prefent to this Collection, was given by Mr. Reinhold Forster, who went the first Voyage round the World with Captain Cook, confifting of a great Variety of the Manufactures, Habits, Warlike Inftruments, and an Idol, which he brought from the Ifland of O Taheitee and New Zealand. Among the Paintings are a few very good ones: a Dead Chrift, by Hannibal Carrache. Tomas Earl of Arundel, and the Duke of Norfolk, his Son, by Vandyke. Chrift's Defcent into. Hell, by Brugell. In this Building are three fmall Libraries; the first, called Afhmole's Study, contains his printed Books and Manuscripts relating to Heraldry and Antiquity, and the Manuscripts of Sir William Dugdale, Author of the Monafticon Anglicanum: The fecond contains Dr. Lifter's Library. The third that of Mr. Anthony à Wood, with his laborious and learned Collections, relating chiefly to this University and City. On the first Floor is the Apparatus for the Lectures in Experimental Philofophy, where the Profeffor reads his Courfes of Lectures; as underneath is the grand Apparatus for the prefent extenfive Lectures in Chemistry now established in the University. CLAREN CLARENDON PRINTING-HOUSE. On the other Side of the Theatre, and North of the Schools, ftands the Clarendon Printing-House, built in the Year 1711, with the Profits arifing from the Sale of Lord Clarendon's Hiftory; the Copy of which was given to the Univerfity by the Lords Clarendon and Rochester, Sons to that noble Lord. It is a grand Edifice, 115 Feet in Length; and confifts of two lofty Stories. Towards the Street is a magnificent Partico in the Doric Order; the Height of the Columns being equal to the two Stories. This is anfwered on the oppofite Side, next the Schools, by a Frontispiece fupported by Three-Quarter Columns of the fame Dimenfions; and the Doric Entablature encompafies the whole Building. On the Top, are Statues of the Nine Mufes; and over the Entrance on the South Side a Statue of the Earl of Clarendon. As we enter on this Side, on the Right-hand, are the Apartments where Bibles and Common Prayer Books are printed, under the Privilege and Appointment of the Univerfity. On the Left is the University Press; and a well-finished Apatment, where the Heads of Houfes and Delegates meet on the Business of the University. RADCLIFFE'S NEW LIBRARY. Southward of the Schools, in the Centre of a beautiful Area, stands the new or Radclivian Library; for the building whereof, that celebrated Phyfician Dr. John Radcliffe bequeathed the Sum of 40,000. He fixed the Sallary of the Librarian at 150l. per Annum ; appropriated 100l. per Annum to buy Books, and 100l. per Annum to keep the Library in Repair. The Ruftic Bafement, which is roo Feet in Diameter from Outside to Outfide, is a double Octagon of 16 Square; either of which Squares are diftinguish ed |