was finished in 1682. under the Conduct of Sir Christopher Wren, and is inferior to none in Symmetry and Elegance. The Eaftern Portico is highly finished in the Corinthian Order, and adorned with Variety of Characteristical Embellishments. Mr. Afhmole prefented to the University a valuable Collection of Natural Curiofities, Coins and MSS, together with three Gold Chains he had received as honorary Prefents from the King of Denmark and other Princes on Occafion of his Book on the Order of the Garter. This Repofitory has been greatly enriched by feveral ample and valuable Benefaction. 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. most 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 Collections in his Travels thro' England, Wales and Ireland, as may be feen in his Book intitled Lithophylacii Britanici Ichnographia. Mr. Borlace, Author of the Natural Hiftory of Cornwall, prefented to this Museum the Specimens of Chrystals, Mundicks, Coppers, Tins, &c. described 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, compofed of the most beautiful lively Feathers; and an ancient Piece of St. Cuthbert, made by order of King Alfred, and worn as is related by that Monarch. Among the Paintings are a few very good ones : a Dead Chrift, by Hannibal Carrache. Thomas Earl of Arundel, and the Duke of Norfolk, his Son, by Vandyke. Chrift's Defcent into Hell by Brugell. - In this Building are three finall Libraries; the firft, called Ashmole's Study, contains his printed Books and Manufcripts relating to Heraldry and Antiquity, and the Manufcripts of Sir William Dugdale, Author of the Monafticon Anglicanum: The Second contains Dr. Lifter's Library, and the Copper Plates of his celebrated Book of Shells The third that of Mr. Anthony à Wood, with his laborious and learned Collections relating chiefly to this Univerfity and City. ; On the firft Floor the Proffeffor reads Lectures in Experimental Philofophy; and, in proper Apartments underneath is an Elaboratory for Courfes of Chemistry and Anatomy. On the other Side of the Theatre, and North of the Schools, ftands the Clarendon PRINTINGHOUSE, 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 University by the Lords Clarendon and Rochefter, Sons of that noble Lord. It is a grand Edifice, 115 Feet in Length; and confifts of two lofty Stories. Towards the Street, is a magnificent Portico in the Doric Order; the height of the Columns being equal to the two Stories. This is answered on the oppofite Side, next the Schools, by a Frontispiece fup 1 fupported by Three-Quarter Columns of the fame Dimenfions; and the Doric Entablature encompaffes the whole Building. On the Top, are Statues of the Nine Muses; 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 Apoinpointment of the Univerfity. On the Left is the Univerfity Prefs. Befides the Apartments affigned for the Prefs-Men, Compofitors, &c. there is one with a Lobby or Ante-Chamber, where the Heads of Houses and Delegates meet, which is well proportioned and finely finished: In this Room is a very good Picture of Queen Anne by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Southward of the Schools, in the Center of a beautiful Area, adorned with a confiderable Number of Obelisks and Lamps, ftands the new public Library; for the building whereof, that celebrated Phyfician Dr. John Radcliffe bequeathed the Sum of 40,000l. He fixed the Sallary of the Librarian at 1501. per Annum; appropriated 100l. per Annum to buy Books, and 100l. per Annum to keep the Library in Repair. The Ruftic Basement, which is 100 Feet in Diameter from Outfide to Outfide, is a double Octagon or 16 Square; either of which Squares are diftinguished by their Projection, and having over each a Pediment or Frontispiece which forms then into Gate-ways. The Superftructure, raised upon this Basement, is perfectly Cylindrical, and adorned with ThreeQuarter Columns of the Corinthian Order; which are |