indeed, supposed that Alfred himself was the founder of three schools, namely, of philosophy, grammar, and divinity.

Though successful in its commencement, yet had it nearly found an early grave, through domestic broils and civil divisions; but after the Conquest it seems rapidly to have risen in consequence, for in the time of Henry the Third, when it first received the style of an University, it is said to have consisted of 15,000 scholars, such as they were. Once again it nearly made shipwreck of its fortunes, for in the reign of Edward the Third the scholars having divided into two factions, and a rupture ensuing, a separation took place, many of the students retiring to Stamford and elsewhere; but finally, all sores having been healed, those who had quitted the town once more returned, and as the country became settled, justice properly administered, and property protected and rendered secure, men had leisure to turn their thoughts to literary pursuits, and to found and endow colleges to supply that learning to others which they had been unable to obtain for themselves. Finally, after having experienced a variety of vicissitudes, and many reverses of fortune, it has risen to a degree of splendour vainly to be sought elsewhere, and attained a pitch of grandeur which makes it not only an object of pride to the natives of this kingdom, but also of admiration to the whole world.

It now consists of twenty colleges and five halls.

The following is a list of the colleges, with the names of their founders, and the reign in which such foundation took place :—

Baliol.-Baliol, father to the Scottish king of that name-in the reign of Henry the Third.

Merton. Merton, Bishop of Rochester and Lord Chancellor. This college was removed from Maldon in Surrey-Edward the First.

Oriel.-Adam de Brome, Almoner to Edward the First-Edward the Second.

Exeter.-Walter Stapleton-Edward the Second.

Queen's.-Robert Eaglesfield, Chaplain to Philippa, Queen to Edward the Third-Edward the Third.

New College-William of Wiccam, Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor-Edward the Third.

Lincoln.-Fleming, Bishop of Lincoln.-Henry the Sixth. All Souls.-Hugh Chichely, Archbishop of CanterburyHenry the Sixth.

Magdalen.-Wainfleet, Bishop of Winchester-Henry the

Sixth.

Brazen Nose.-Smith, Bishop of London-Henry the Seventh. Corpus Christi.-Richard Fox, Bishop of Winchester-Henry the Eighth.

Christ Church.-Cardinal Wolsey-Henry the Eighth.
Trinity.-Sir Thomas Pope-Mary.

St. John Baptist.—Sir Thomas White-Mary.

Jesus.-Hugh Price-Elizabeth.

Wadham.-Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham-James the First. Pembroke.-T. Tisdale and Dr. Richard Whitchurch-James

the First.

Worcester.-Sir T. Coke, formerly Gloucester Hall.
Hertford.-

The five halls are, Alban, Edmund, St. Mary, New Sun, and St. Mary Magdalen. These halls are the remains of places, which, in former times,

were appropriated to the use of the students, where they lived as in hotels, at their own charge and expense, and which they indeed now do in

those that remain.

Each of the colleges above specified have ample revenues which support fellowships, scholarships, &c., and which serve to adorn and beautify the chapels, cloisters, libraries, quadrangles, groves, and gardens, by which they are respectively surrounded.

Among its various libraries, the most famous is the Bodleian, superior to any in England, (save the public one in the British Museum,) founded by Sir Thomas Bodley, to whose memory a monument was erected by Thomas Sackville, Earl of Dorset, Chancellor of the University.

Of the officers belonging to this seat of learning, the first is the chancellor, usually a nobleman, chosen for life; the next in rank is the vice chancellor, one always in orders, who can exercise the same power as the chancellor, and act in all things as he would or could-he has also the power of nominating four pro-vice chancellors from the heads of colleges, to officiate during his absence; two proctors, masters of arts, chosen yearly; a public orator; a keeper of the archives s; a registrar, &c. &c. &c.

Thus much of Oxford, of which but a feeble description has been given; and thus much of a tour, which, though it occupied but a small portion of time, yet afforded much pleasure, and

was attended with a good deal of instruction and useful information not always to be found in books. It would not be unreasonable to suppose that the reader might here look for some observations, setting forth the advantages of pedestrianising before that of any other mode of travelling, and certainly a few pages might easily be filled with such observations, were it not for one single reason, which is this, that all which could be said in its favour might very well be summed up in a single sentence or two; as, for instance—the pedestrian has only his own amusement and gratification to seek, and his progress is not dependant upon chance; he has no carriage that may break down, or horse that may knock up; he is not retarded by the inconvenience of the one, or obliged to suit himself to the capacities and strength of the other, but may make his way or loiter on his path as seemeth him best; and his mind having no other care to engross his attention but that of the one object before him, he is thus enabled to derive from it a greater pleasure than he would if the contrary had been the case.

With respect to the present work, though it is merely printed for distribution among a small circle of the author's friends and acquaintance, yet he is anxious for them to believe that he has attempted to execute the task he had imposed upon himself in such a manner as might convince them that he was solicitous to secure their good opinion, and also, if it were possible,

to gain their approbation: of one thing, however, he is certain, that however feeble may be the language employed, and loose the method of description, there will be at least some credit due to him for the zealous care which he has taken respecting the accuracy of the dates, and that no facts should be stated which the author by diligent search has not discovered to be based on a true and solid foundation. Having said thus much, he most respectfully bids them farewell.

THE END.

T. W. HORD, Printer, Museum Street, Bloomsbury.