Old England: A Pictorial Museum (page 52/53)

2271.—Oxford from the Abingdon Road.

“If in one of those magic freaks of which eastern tales are so full, a person who had never seen Oxford or Cambridge, nor paid much attention to aught he might have read about them, were set down just outside on of these cities, say, for instance, Oxford, and on the Abingdon road (Fig. 2271), and were conducted from thence into its streets and among its population, he would be apt to think he had been transported to some foreign country; so unlike in various respects would seem the aspect of the place as compared with the aspect of other English towns. The ladies, it is true, dress there much as elsewhere; but the gentlemen—some in black togas and black square caps—others with their robes displaying rich red silk linings, and wearing lace and embroidery, and yet others who move resplendently about beneath quantities of gold lace and gold thread—what are these who wear the most picturesque of dresses with so picturesque and gallant an air?

Turning from these, who form so large a part of the entire population of the place, the place itself presents new cause for wonder and admiration. Never surely before were so many magnificent edifices congregated in so limited a space. Private buildings and public ones have here reversed their usual numeric proportion. Here, if anywhere, may one speak with propriety of a city of palaces. And then the gardens—those paradises of peaceful delight—which seem as though each must join at some [more...] [$]

King’s College Chapel, Cambridge.

The Sixteenth-Century chapel at King’s College in Cambridge University is famous not only for its music but also for its fabulous architecture. This 1845 engraving shows not only the amazing vaulted stone ceiling but [...] [more...] [$]

2280.—The Pepysian Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge

The Pepys library holds over 3,000 volumes; the building probably dates from 1700 or so. [more...] [$]

Hall of Christ Church College Oxford

“Christchurch, you have no doubt heard, is the richest, most magnificent, and most celebrated of all the collegiate establishments of Oxford. It is the especial resort of the sons of the richest gentry and [...]Sir Robert Peel was educated here. It has been honoured by hosts of men who have belonged to a different aristocracy,—men who are seldom acknowledged to be illustrious during their lives, but whom none deny to be so for every afterwards. Sydney, Ben Jonson, Otway, Locke, Penn, and Canning, were all members of Christ’s. [Note: I have linked these to the Nuttall Encyclopædia, I hope correctly! Liam] The founder was Wolsey; and every thing one sees here harmonises with the associations suggested by his name, although his scheme was [only] in part accomplished.” (p. 291) [more...] [$]

Floriated initial capital letter “T”

This decorated drop cap “T” has vine leaves and flowers around the letter. [$]

2333.—Guy’s Cliff

I visited this in 1984 or so, when it appeeared to be a ruin with broken windows but still surrounded by water and rather hard to reach. [more...] [$]

2403.—Game of Shinty.

In shinty (Fig. 2403), which is so favourite a sport in the Highlands of Scotland, the ball is struck by a stick, and the object with each party is to drive it beyond certain opposed boundaries. This game is essentially the same as that formerly known as hurling in England. Golf was also once popular in this country. Nay, the very best golf-player [...] [more...] [$]

2404.—Belsize House.

Belsize House was demolished about the time of this book, or perhaps a few year afterwards. There is still a mulberry tree growing from the gardens (2011). [more...] [$]