are ranged, not at equal Distances, but in Couplets. Between thefe, there is an Alternacy of Windows and Niches all round: over the latter, next to the Architrave, are beautiful Feftoons of Fruits and Flowers. The Entablature is much enriched with Carving; and over it is a Balluftrade furrounding the whole, finifhed with Vafes on the Piers perpendicular to the Columns. Above which is a Cupola, 60 Feet high. Seven of the Gateways abovementioned are Entrances into the Portico or Arcade; in the Center of which within the Piers is a wide spreading Dome; and without them, a Cloyfter almost encircling it. Over each of the Entrances is a Dome of fmaller Dimenfions, curioufly wrought with variety of Mofaic. The Eighth Gate-way is appropriated to the Stair-Cafe, the Well of which is Oval; the Steps, which are of Stone, eafy of Afcent, adhering to the Wall at one End, but feem rather to be upheld by the Iron Rail that is upon them, than fupported underneath at the other: This is deemed a curious Piece of Mafonary. The Awe we are ftruck with at entering into the Grand Area of the Library, we leave to the Experience of those who feel it; as it is not eafily defcribed. The Pavement is of different coloured Stone, brought from Harts Foreft in Germany. The Piers or Butments of the Arches are adorned with Pilafters of the Ionic Order.

The Dome, which is 46 Feet high from the Pavement, is wrought in curious Compartments in Stucco. It is chiefly lighted by Windows in the Cylindric Part thereof; between which are Treffes of Fruits and Flowers. In the circular Part, without the Piers, are the Book-Cafes and Reading-Tables: This part is lighted by the small square

7

fquare Windows; which are thus proportioned and difpofed, to admit of a Gallery above, which would otherwife have been too high. This Gallery is appropriated to the fame Ufes as the circular Part beneath. Over the Door is a very good Statue of the Founder by Ryforac: The best point to view it from, is, directly oppofite to it, in the Gallery, Over the Entrance of one of the Galleries is a Buft of Gibbs, the Architect. The firft Stone of this fuperb Building was laid May 17, A. D. 1737; and being compleatly finished, it was opened on Thurfday, April 13, 1749; when the Duke of Beaufort, one of the Trustees, delivered the Keys into the Hands of the then Vice-Chancellor, who, in the Name of the University, returned Thanks to the Trustees for their faithful Difcharge of the Truft repofed in them. It was at this Celebrity that the late Dr. King delivered his famous Oration in the Theatre.

The Librarian is appointed by the Great Officers of State.

The Publick are indebted to Dr. Radcliffe's Truf tees for the Building and compleatly furnishing the PUBLICK INFIRMARY at the North Side of the City,which is maintained and supported by voluntary Contributions from every Part of the Kingdom, and is diftinguished by the Stile of The Prefident and Governors of the Radcliffe Infirmary, for the Relief of the Sick and Lame Poor, from what ever County recommended. An Inftitution which in this Place muft be productive of very extenfive Benefits, as, while it relieves the Poor, it ferves for a School for the Students who Study the Healing Art.

After

After the public Buildings, a Description of the PHYSIC GARDEN properly follows. It is fituated on the South of Magdalene College. This was the Donation of Henry D'Anvers, Earl of Danby, who purchased the Ground (containing five Acres) of Magdalene College, furrounded it with a lofty Wall, and erected, next to the Street, a parapet with Iron Palisades thereon. The Piers which fupport these and the other Iron-work, being properly ornamented with Vafes of Fruits and Flowers of various Kinds, ferving as a Fence to the Green-Court, through which we pass to the Gate-way.

This Gate-way is juftly efteemed an elegant Piece of Architecture. The Defign is afcribed to Inigo Jones; nor is it unworthy of that Architect. The Manner of it is thus: It is of the Doric Proportion, but without Triglyphs. The Columns and other parts of the Building are curioufly wrought with Ruftic. The Frontifpiece confifts of two small Pediments, and one of larger Dimension; which at its Extremities, partly covers the other two. In the Center over the Arch is a Buft of the Founder, Lord Danby. On the Left-hand of the Entrance is a Statue of CHARLES I. and on the Righthand, one of CHARLES II. The Niches in which thefe ftand are finished by the two small Pediments abovementioned. On the Face of the Corona and the Frize is the following Infcription; viz. Gloria Dei optimi maximi Honori Caroli I. Regis in Ufum Academia & Reipublica Henricus Comes Danby, Anno 1632. This Infcription is likewise on the Garden Front.

The Garden is divided into four Quarters, with 7 broad Walk down the Middle, a cross Walk, and one all round. Near the Entrance, are two

elegant

elegant and useful Green-Houfes, one on the Right, the other on the Left, built by the University for Exotics; of which there is a confiderable Collection. In the Quarters, within the Yew Hedges, is thegreatest Variety of fuch Plants as require no artificial Heat to nourish them, all ranged in the proper Claffes, and numbered.

At the lower End of the middle Walk, near the Iron Gates, are two magnificent Yew-Trees, cut in the Form of Pedestals, with a Flower-Pot on the Top, and a plant, as it were, growing out of it.

Eaftward of the Garden, without the Walls, is an Excellent Hot-Houfe; where tender Plants, such whose native Soil lies between the Tropics, are raifed and brought to great Perfection; viz. the Anana or Pine-Apple, the Plantain, the Coffee Shrub, the Caper Tree, the Cinnamon, the Creeping Cereus, and many others. Thefe Pine-Apples have nearly the fame Flavour as those raised in warmer Climates; the Caper and the Coffee Shrub also bear well.

This useful Foundation has been much improved by the late Dr. Sherard, who brought from Symrna a valuable Collection of Plants. He built the Library adjoining to the Garden, and furnished it with a curious Collection of Botanical Books, and a valuable Hortus Siccus. The Eaft End of this Building is the Apartment for the Profeffor, whose Salary is paid out of the Intereft of 3000 1. given by Dr. Sherard for that Purpose. The Affiftant to the Profeffor is provided by the University.

We proceed next to defcribe and give fome Account of the several Colleges; and as Magdalene College is the nearest to the Place we laft mentioned, and the first we meet with in the Road from London, it may not be improper to begin with that. D 2

Mag

MAGDALENE COLLEGE.

HE College of St. Mary Magdalene is fituated upon the River Cherwell, near the Phyfic-Garden. The firft Thing worthy the Attention of a curious Obferver, is the Weft Entrance into the Chapel; over which are five small historical Figures, of elegant Sculpture. That on the Right, in a kneeling Pofture, reprefents the Founder; the next, William of Wickham the Founder of the two St. Mary Winton Colleges; that in the Middle, St, Mary Magdalene, to whom the College is dedi cated; the next, in a kneeling Pofture, King Henry III. who founded the Hospital which was converted into this College; and that on the Left, St, John the Baptift, to whom the faid Hospital was dedicated.

The Building on the Left-Hand is the Prefi dent's Lodgings; adjoining to which is a magnificent Gothic Gate-way (formerly the Grand-Entrance into the College) adorned with Statues as large as the Life, of four of the above Perfons, viz. the Founder, St. Mary Magdalene, King Henry III. and St. John the Baptift.

Between the Chapel and the above Gate-way we enter the Cloyfter; near this Entrance is the Chapel, which is a well-proportioned Edifice in form of a Roman T inverted. The Ante-Chapel is remarkable for it's elegant Monuments; particularly one, on the Left-Hand of the Organ-Loft, erected to the Memory of two Brothers of the Name of Lyttleton, who were drowned in the River Cherwell, one by endeavouring to fave the other. The whole

of