420 Oxford; a Poem. [ APRIL, 



The foregoing passage is an eminent instance of that confusion of ideas 

 of that wish to appear profound, where he is simply absurd, in 

 which the modern Milton excels. Pray what is the meaning, literal 

 or metaphorical, of a " soaring mind sinking into a plan," or of " talent 

 melting into nervous gloom away ?" Who ever heard of gloom being 

 nervous ? Did you, Mr. Montgomery ? Did you, Mr. Clarkson ? We 

 should rather 'think not. To resume: Brutus, it seems, was the 

 founder of Oxford 



" Then pause awhile, and reverently view, 



Though dimly faded, and of ancient hue, 



The records hinting through oblivion's eld, 



When Oxford first her founded Halls beheld, 



From age to age how college piles appeared, 



Till, lo ! a University was reared. 



Ere yet the music of Messiah's name 



Had thrilled the world, heroic Brutus came 



With Grecian sages and a kindred band, 



To fix their dwelling in our Eden land ; 



And Greeklade was the destined home they chose, 



Where mind could revel, and the heart repose ; 



Till, lured away by some far lovelier scene, 



Where rivers wandered, and the woods hung green, 



By groves untrodden, whose Athenian shade 



For silence and monastic dreams were made, 



A city rose beside the haunt adored, 



Where Memprick built what Vortiger restored. 



Thus early did renowned Oxford shine, 



Grow dear to sages, and become divine." 



From this it would appear that Oxford had " become divine" before 

 the advent of our Saviour ; that Brutus was its first Vice-chancellor, 

 that, in fact, it was " renowned" as a university before the introduction 

 of Christianity into England ! Of course, under such circumstances, it 

 must have been a pagan establishment ; and, indeed, in its devout wor-r 

 ship of Bacchus, it still clings partially to its old heathen predilections. 

 Mr. Montgomery's assertion, therefore,' is not wholly without proof. 

 Following up this very original topic, in the course of which we are 

 informed that 



" Truth is darkness in the depth of time," 



that is to say, that black is white, our gifted minstrel tells us, with 

 suitable solemnity of phrase, that, in due time, 



" Simpler dwellings, out of convents sprung, 

 Or mansions hired, received her studious young ; 

 And each, as added numbers swelled their fame, 

 Was duly governed, and a Hall became." 



But this is not the sole intelligence we receive on this point. Imme- 

 diately the Halls were erected, 



'' unforgotten Bede, 

 With sages, whom historic lovers read, 

 First soared aloft on elevated mind, 

 To see the heaven that hovered on mankind." 



We can see no earthly reason why Bede, and the other sages, should 

 have soared aloft, in order to see heaven. Surely it was visible enough 

 from terra Jirma unless/indeed, the weather was cloudy, and the season 



