tracts attention, by the beauty of the workmanship; the delicacy and richness displayed in the drapery of the figures are greatly admired. The altar table is composed of dove-coloured marble. The painted windows are of four sorts:-First, the windows of the ante-chapel, which, the great one excepted, are generally supposed to be as old as the Chapel itself, contain the portraits of Patriarchs, Prophets, Saints, Martyrs, &c. :-Secondly, the windows on the south-side of the Chapel, which were originally Flemish, done, as it is reported, from designs given by some of Rubens's scholars, and were purchased, by the Society, of William Price, who repaired them in 1740; these also contain the figures of Saints, &c. :-Thirdly, the windows on the north-side, done by Mr. Peckitt, of York, in 1765, and 1774; the three nearest the screen contain, in the lower range, the chief persons recorded in the Old Testament, from Adam to Moses; in the upper, twelve of the Prophets: Mr. Rebecca gave the designs. The two other windows display the figures of our Saviour, the Virgin Mary, and the twelve Apostles. The great west window consists of seven compartments in the lower range, each of them being about three feet wide, and twelve feet high. They contain seven allegorical figures, representing the four Cardinal and three Christian Virtues: viz. Temperance pouring water from a larger to a smaller vessel: the bridle, her attribute, at her

feet. Fortitude, in armour; her hand resting on a column, broken yet upright. A lion couches below her. Faith, standing firmly, bearing a cross; her eyes and hand raised up to heaven. Charity, with her appropriate attributes. Hope, eagerly looking and springing towards heaven; near her is her attribute, the anchor. Justice; in her left hand the steelyard; her right supports the sword. Prudence, viewing, as in a mirror, the actions of others, thereby to regulate her own; upon her right arm an arrow joined with a remora, a fish which fixes itself at the bottom of ships and retards their motion. These are the respective emblems of swiftness and slowness, Prudence being a medium between them. Above these, in a space ten feet wide and eighteen high, is represented the Nativity of Christ, a composition of thirteen human figures, besides quadrupeds: 1. The Virgin, her attention fixed on the Child. 2. A group of angels; the least of them is remarkable for the beauty of the face. 3. A company of shepherds. 4. St. Joseph, looking to the spectators and pointing to the child, as to the promised seed. 5. In the clouds above, an angel contemplating the mystery of the cross; near him is a scroll on which is written the original Greek of " Mysteries which the angels themselves desire to look into." In this composition the painter has taken for his light that which is supposed to proceed from the body of the infant. The other parts consist of groups

G

of shepherds and others, who are approaching to pay their devotions to the Saviour of the world. Amongst these in the compartment to the south are the portraits of the artists: Sir Joshua Reynolds and Mr. Jervais. For this window, which was begun about the year 1777, finished cartoons were furnished by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and these were copied by Mr. Jervais. The genius of the architect has here assisted that of the painter, by contriving such an arrangement of the pipes of the organ, as to produce on the latter a kind of transparent effect, by which the picture may be seen with a peculiar advantage from the altar. Among the many curious objects in this Chapel, is the crosier or pastoral staff of Wykeham, of costly materials and beautiful workmanship. It is nearly seven feet high, of silver gilt, embellished with Gothic ornaments, and inclosing in the crook of it, the figure of the Bishop himself, in a kneeling posture. Some of the ornaments of his mitre, which are of gold and precious stones, with his gloves, ring, &c. are preserved in the muniment room. Many eminent men and several Wardens of this College have been interred in the ante-chapel, as their monuments in brass and stone testify; some of which have been removed from the inner Chapel; but a much larger proportion of the successive members have been interred in the cloisters. The choir is 100 feet long, 35 feet broad, and 65 feet high. The ante-chapel is 80 feet in length.

The Cloisters form the earliest example of such a collegiate appurtenance in this University, and, indeed, the only one, except that of Magdalene College. They inclose an area of 130 feet in length, and 85 in breadth; and were consecrated, with the area, as a burial place for the College, October 19th, 1400. During the time that they were made a depot of the king's warlike stores, in 1643, many of the monumental inscriptions, especially such as were engraved on brass plates, were sacrilegiously conveyed away. In 1802, the monuments were carefully repaired, and the place has since been preserved with a care suited to the solemn purposes to which it is devoted.

This fine College was founded by William of Wykeham, one of the most illustrious men of his age and country; of great abilities, unblemished integrity, solid piety, and splendid munificence. The foundation stone was laid in 1379-80, and on the 14th of April, 1386, the first Warden and Fellows made their publicentrance into it with great solemnity. The foundation is for 70 Fellows and Scholars, elected from Winchester College, 10 Chaplains, an Organist, three Clerks, a Sexton, and 16 Choristers.

The Founder's kindred are actual Fellows on their first admission; the others are Scholars till the expiration of two years. The Members on the foundation of this College have the

peculiar privilege of being examined for degrees in their own Society, and not in the public Schools.

The number of members on the books is usually about 120.

To continue our walk, we return to the top of New College Lane, passing the house of the Savilian Professor of Geometry. At the end of this Lane, to the left, is

HERTFORD COLLEGE,

Which is now dissolved, and decreed by Act of Parliament, when rebuilt, to become the residence of the Society of Magdalene Hall. It is intended that the Chapel, Hall, Principal's Lodgings, and some of the chambers which will admit of reparation, shall remain. The front and the whole of the south-western part are now rebuilding.

This College, formerly Hart Hall, received a charter of incorporation in 1740, from Richard Newton, D.D. Principal, who continued in that office after it was converted into a College. He framed such a body of statutes for its government, as had the effect, though unintentionally, of preventing any one's accepting the office of Principal, after the death of Dr. Hodgson in 1805. The celebrated senator, Mr. Fox, received his education in this College, under the tuition of Dr. Newcome, afterwards Primate of Ireland.