bishop Laud. It was begun in July, 1631, and completed in 1635, from a design furnished by Inigo Jones, who was first employed at Oxford by Laud; but it is to be regretted that he had not formed a plan more independent on what may be termed commonplace ornaments. King Charles I. contributed two hundred ton of timber from the forests of Shotover and Stow to the completion of this quadrangle, the east and west sides of which are built on a cloister, supported by eight pillars, over which are busts representing the four Cardinal virtues, three Christian graces, and Religion. In the centre of each cloister is a spacious gateway of the Doric order, surmounted by a semicircular pediment of the Ionic and Corinthian. The statues between the columns on either side are those of King Charles I. and his Queen, excellently designed and cast in brass by Fanelli of Florence. They cost 4001. and were the gift of Archbishop Laud, and, according to Lord Orford, were buried during the Rebellion. Dr. Rawlinson informs us, that they were taken down at that unhappy period, and ordered to be sold, but were refused because not solid. It is probable that some loyalist took this opportunity to secrete them.

This quadrangle leads to the GARDENS, which, after remaining long in the stiff and unnatural taste, which prevailed at the beginning of the last century, were at length improved into the highly elegant and picturesque form in which we now find them. Formerly they were divided by a wall into an inner and outer part, and appear to have excited considerable attention from a terras, a mount, a wilderness, and arbour, which were, according to Salmon, the rendezvous of the

Oxford ladies and gentlemen " évéry Sunday evening "in summer." "Here," adds this grave historian, "we "have an opportunity of seeing the whole University "together almost, as well as the better sort of townsmen and ladies, who seldom fail of making their

appearance here at the same time, unless the weather prevent them."

The HALL, on the north side of the first quadrangle, is that which belonged to Bernard College, but has undergone many necessary repairs by the Founder, and by the Society since his time. It is now a spacious, elegant, and well-proportioned room, with a finely arched roof, and is decorated with the portraits of the Founder, Archbishops Laud and Juxon, Bishop Buckeridge, Sir William Paddy, Dr. Gibbons, Dr. Woodroffe, (Principal of Gloucester Hall,) Dr. Holmes, Edward Waple, B. D. and a wholelength portrait of his present Majesty, painted by Ramsay, and bequeathed to the College by the Countess Dowager of Lichfield, widow of the late Earl of Lichfield, Chancellor of the University from 1762 to 1772. Titian's picture of John the Baptist, the gift of John Preston, some time Fellow, (M. A. 1715,) which formerly was over the chimney-piece, is now removed to the Common Room, a very handsome detached building in the wood-yard.

The LIBRARY, on the south side of the second quadrangle, was built in 1596, and was completed by benefactions from the Merchant Taylors' company, and some members of the College, Dr. Willis, Dr. Case, and others. Before this the books were kept in one of the old houses on the east side of the first quadrangle. The collection was soon augmented by Sir Tho

mas Tresham, Sir William Paddy, Henry Price, Rector of Fleetmarston in Buckinghamshire, John Smith,, some time Fellow, Bishop Buckeridge, Mr. Crynes, &c. A Librarian was first appointed in 1603, with a small salary, afterwards increased by the will of Sir William Paddy. The large bay window at the upper end contains the arms of the Merchant Taylors' company, of the Founder, and others, and a portrait of the Founder. There are other portraits on canvas of Archbishop Laud, Sir James Eyre, late Chief Baron, &c.

In this state the Library remained until Laud enlarged it, and added another, which occupies the east side of the quadrangle, a spacious and elegant room, which, by the disposition of the richly ornamented bookcases, forms a gallery. There are here some curious paintings of the Apostles on copper, supposed to be by Carlo Dolci, an exquisite miniature of. Charles I. and his Queen, and a curious figure of St. John, stained in scagliola, a composition resembling and as durable as marble, done by Lambert Gorius, and presented to the Society by the late John Duncan, D. D. 1750. In this Library is a valuable. collection of manuscripts and printed books, given by the Archbishop, and since increased by other bene-.. factors, and many specimens of natural and artificial.. curiosities, and relics of antiquity, Dr. Rawlinson bequeathed several books, and all his Greek, Roman,.. and English coins, not given to the Bodleian, to be deposited here. The fine eagle, executed by Mr.. Suetzler of Oxford, and the gift, of Thomas Estcourt, Esq. a Gentleman Commoner, (M. A. 1773,) which.

formerly stood in the Chapel, has lately been removed to this Library.

In 1686, when Charles I. visited the University, Archbishop Laud, then Chancellor, had the honour to entertain the royal party at dinner in this room. The King, Queen, and Prince Elector, dined at one table across the upper end of the room, and Prince Rupert, with the Lords and Ladies, at another, reaching from one end to the other, “at which all the gal"lantry and beauties of the kingdom seemed to meet. "All other tables, to the number of thirteen, besides "the said two, were disposed in several chambers in "the College, and had men and scholars appointed "to attend them to theirs, and the content of all. 'I thank God (saith the Chancellor) I had the happi'ness that all things were in verie good order, and 'that no man went out of the gates, courtier or other, 'but contented, which was a happiness quite beyond ' expectation.' When dinner was ended, he attended "the King and Queen, together with the Nobles, into "several withdrawing chambers, where they enter"tained themselves for the space of an hour. In the 66 mean time he caused the windows of the common "Hall, or Refectory, to be shut, candles lighted, and "all things to be made ready for the play, which was "then to begin, called, The Hospital of Lovers, made "for the most part (as it is said) by Mr. George "Wild, Fellow of St. John's College. When these "things were fitted, he gave notice to the King and "Queen, and attended them into the Hall, whither he "had the happiness to bring them by a way prepared from the presence lodgings to the Hall with

* Qu. President's?