OXFORD. FROM CHRISTCHURCH MEADOWS. FROM almost every point of view, Oxford presents a scene of architectural magnificence unrivalled in Great Britain and the buildings, whatever may be their individual merits or defects, group with the happiest effect. In this view, from the banks of the Isis, Christchurch, the largest college in the University, forms a prominent object. The Entrance Tower, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, contains the Great Tom, celebrated in the catch, "Hark! the bonny Christchurch Bells." Near it, is Wolsey's great Hall; a striking object of grandeur, remarkable for its beautiful elevation, its spacious interior, and its highly ornamented roof. Over this building, in our view, rises the tower and spire of the Cathedral, anciently dedicated to St. Frideswide; but since King Henry VIII. established the bishopric at Oxford, styled Christchurch. Part of the lands appropriated by Cardinal Wolsey to the maintenance of his College, was then allotted to the dean and chapter. The Cathedral, although possessing architectural peculiarities not uninteresting to an antiquary, is surpassed in its attractions by most of the other edifices of the University; its spire, attributed to Wolsey, has every appearance of having been constructed in the thirteenth century. The tower at the extremity of the view on the right, is that of Merton College Chapel: this is the oldest college in Oxford, and derives its name from the founder, Walter de Merton, Bishop of Rochester, and Chancellor of England, in 1264. St. Mary's spire, the first on the left of Christchurch tower, and one of the principal architectural ornaments of Oxford, is more enriched with pinnacles and turrets, than any similar object in the kingdom. Next to this is the spire of St. Aldate's; and near the last, the dome of the Ratcliff Library, a noble pile of building, completed in 1749, from a design by Gibbs, and said to have been his favourite work. At the extremity of our view, is the spire of All-Saints Church, built by Dr. Henry Aldrich, the accomplished Dean of Christchurch. This Church, like many other of the public edifices of Oxford, is constructed of perishable stone; a circumstance that gives a pleasing effect in the eye of a painter to the whole, and serves to reconcile the incongruity of the various styles of architecture which are here assembled. |