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Spirits; curious and numerous Specimens of Metals and numerous Collection of Shells, 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 whom depofited here all his Natural Bodies mentioned in his Hiftories of Staffordshire and Oxfordshire; and the latter the Collections he had made in his Travels through England, Wales, and Ireland. Mr. Borlace, Author of the Natural Hiftory of Cornwall, prefented alfo to this Museum the Specimens of Cryftals, 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 deserve particular Notice, viz. a Model of a Ship; a Picture of our Saviour going to his Crucifixion, compofed of the moft 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 Forfter, 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 Iland of Otaheite and New Zealand.

Among the Paintings are a few very good ones: Dead Chrift, by Annibal Carracci. Thomas Ear of Arundel, and the Duke of Norfolk, his Son, bị Vandyke. Chrift's Defcent into Hell, by Brugell In this Building are three fmall Libraries, the firft called Amole's Study, contains his printed Books

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and Manufcripts relating to Heraldry and Antiquity, and the Manufcripts 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 Univerfity and City.

On the firft Floor is the Apparatus for the Lectures in Experimental Philofophy, where the Profeffor reads his Courfes of Lectures; underneath is the grand Apparatus for the prefent extenfive Lectures in Chemistry now established in the University.

CLARENDON PRINTING-HOUSE.

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On the other Side of the Theatre, and North-of the Schools, ftands the Clarendon Printing-Houfe, 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 to that noble Lord. It is a noble Edifice, 115 Feet in length; and confifts of two lofty Stories. Towards the Street is a magnificent Portico of 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 à Frontispiece fupported by Three-Quarter Columns of the fame Dimenfions; and the Doric Entablature encompasses 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 Univerfity Prefs; and a well-finished Apartment, where the

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RADCLIFFE'S LIBRARY and part of ALI, SOULS COLLEGE &

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Southward of the Schools, in the Centre of a beautiful Area, ftands the new or Radclivian Library;. for the building whereof, that celebrated Phyfician Dr. John Radcliffe bequeathed the Sum of 40,000L He fixed the Salary of the Librarian at 150l. per Annum; appropriated 100l, per Annum to buy Books, and rool. per Annum to keep the Library in Repair.

The Ruftic Basement, which is 100 Feet in Diaméter from Outfide to Outfide, is a Double Octagon or 16 Square; all of which Squares are diftinguished by their projection, and by a Pediment or Frontifpiece which forms each into a Gateway.

The Superftructure, raised upon this Basement, is perfectly Cylindrical, and adorned with Three-Quar ter Columns of the Corinthian Order; which are ranged, not at equal Couplets. Beis an Alternacy of Windows and Niches all round: over the latter, next to the Archi trave, are beautiful Feftoons of Fruits and Flowers." The Entablature is much enriched with Carving; and over it is a Baluftrade furrounding the whole, finished 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 Centre 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 smaller Dimensions, curiously wrought with variety of Mofaic. The Eighth Gateway is appropriated to the Stair-Cafe, the well of which is oval; and the Steps,

tween these there iftances, but

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