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spot. On either side are busts of Venus and Apollo. Within is a cast of Cupid and Psyche.

The walk now bends to the left, when, on a bank between two beeches, is a bust of Prior. The path, as it descends from this spot, makes a bolder turn, and within a recess in the shrubbery is an Urn, placed on an altar, with an inscription, by Mr. Whitehead.

The Conservatory next appears; orange trees of various kinds are planted in the ground, and, during the Summer, the front, sides, and roof of the building are removed; the back wall is covered with a treillage, against which are planted exotic jessamines, &c.

In the Park, by the side of the river Isis, stands a fine ancient building, removed from the top of the High-street, in Oxford, in the year 1787, and presented to the late Earl Harcourt by the University. It was erected as a conduit to supply the inhabitants of Oxford with water, in the year 1610, at the expense of Otho Nicholson. The water came from a spring near Hinksey.

A very pleasant way of visiting Nuneham, in fine weather, is by water. Boats of all descriptions may be had for this purpose, at the Wharfs, near Christ Church Meadow, and parties are pleasantly accommodated in the cottage, kindly erected by Earl Harcourt, at a short distance from the Conduit before mentioned, for the reception of visitors. In this aquatic excursion, the antiquary must not forget to call at

IFFLEY,

A village situated on the banks of the Isis, and celebrated for the antiquity of its Church. The western door of this Church has a profusion of Saxon ornament, and is sure.cunted by a sculptured chain, each link of which is joined together by a grotesque head, and encircles an animal or other device. Next is a large cable moulding, supported by a number of beaks issuing from curious heads. The whole produces a richness of effect, not surpassed by any building of the kind in the kingdom. On the south-side is another door also replete with rich ornaments. The arch is supported by four columns. The capitals are extremely rich, and represent a combat of centaurs, and an encounter of horsemen. The north door is of the same size as the south; but is not so richly ornamented. In the church are a curious black marble font, and an ancient monument, also of black marble, placed near the communion table. In the church-yard stands a very ancient cross; but its ornamental sculpture is entirely destroyed by time. Near this cross is a yew-tree, supposed to be coeval with the church. Although it is very much decayed, its external appearance is still fresh and flourishing. From a manuscript of Anthony Wood, the antiquity of Iffley Church may be in some measure ascertained. It appears that it was given, with its appurtenances, by Jeffery de Clinton, to the Canons of Kenilworth, in Warwickshire; and this Jeffery lived in the reign of William the Conqueror.

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The village is a pleasant walk from Oxford, it being only two miles from that City. It is at a very short distance from the Henley road to London.

On the river, between Iffley and Nuneham, is a pleasant and much frequented house of entertainment for water parties; where fish dinners are provided at a short notice. It is situated in the village of Sandford, where formerly was a Benedictine Nunnery, some remains of which are still to be seen on the premises attached to a Farm House, called Mincherry Farm; from Minchon Ree, Minchon signifying a Nun. Stone coffins and bones are frequently dug up at this place.

On the banks of the Isis, about two miles from Oxford, are the remains of GODSTOW NUNNERY. It was founded towards the end of the reign of Henry I. by Editha, a lady of Winchester, and when dissolved, in the reign of Henry VIII. it was valued at £274 per annúm. A considerable portion of its buildings remained until the end of the reign of Charles I. and about that time they were accidentally destroyed by fire. The present remains consist chiefly of ranges of wall on the north, south, and east sides of an extensive area. Near the western extremity of the high north wall are fragments of two buttresses. There is a small building which abuts on the east, and ranges along the southern side. It was probably the Chapter House of the Nuns. The walls are

entire; the roof is of wood, and some of the rafter work is in fair preservation. It is in this building that the remains of Rosamond are supposed to have been deposited, when they were removed from the choir of the Church, by order of Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, in 1191. On the north wall is painted a pretended copy of her epitaph, in Latin. The fabulous history of this Nun is so well known that it is unnecessary to repeat it here. That she died a natural death is certain; and she was buried by her parents before the high altar of Godstow. She had two sons by Henry II. viz. Richard Longespee and Geoffery Plantagenet, Archbishop of York. Many stone coffins have at various times been found on this spot.

Those who are fond of aquatic excursions may visit Godstow by water. Numerous pleasure boats are stationed at High Bridge, a short distance from Worcester College. A house of entertainment is situated close to the river, and opposite the Nunnery, which house was the favourite resort of Hearne, the antiquary; the eccentric Mr. Sanford, of Balliol, who bequeathed his valuable library to Exeter College; and of many other eminent characters in the University.

THE END.

Munday and Slatter, Printers, Oxford.

AN

APPENDIX

ΤΟ

THE OXFORD GUIDE;

Containing a Description of the

AMPHITHEATRE AT VERONA,

AND THE

TEMPLE OF NEPTUNE AT PÆSTUM; Models of which are in the Picture Gallery:

ALSO

The History

OF

The celebrated Painting in the Picture Gallery,

CALLED

THE SCHOOL OF ATHENS,

BY JULIO ROMANO.

With Engravings illustrative of the Subjects.

OXFORD:

1

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MUNDAY AND SLATTER,
HERALD-OFFICE, HIGH-STREET.

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