OXFORD UNIVERSITY. 



OXFORD UNIVERSITY. 



collet?* or hll, ax profe**or of the univenity, and sir member* 

 of convocation of not les than five years' standing. Thi* council 

 deliberate*) upon mutter* relating to the privilege* ami liberties of the 

 Univmity.and inquire* into and coniulU respecting the due observance 

 of itatute* and cuttom*. All the letterm of the chancellor, in the cae 

 of difpensatiao*, which are addrened to convocation, mutt be unc- 

 Hni1 by the hebdomadal meeting before they are recited in the 

 bouM. By the Act of 1854 the various college* and hall* are em- 

 powered to revise and if deemed requisite to propose alteration* in 

 UM statute* referring to headships, fellowship*, and other college 

 emolument! ; in default of the college* or hull* attending to them 

 matUn within a apeoified time, the university commissioners are 

 empowered to do so; any alterations proposed being submitted to 

 UM Queen in Council for approval. The University is empowered to 

 propae* such alterations as it may derm expedient in reference to any 

 gift or endowment of more than fifty year*' standing. 



In 1 80S King James I., by diploma dated March 12th, granted to 

 the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge the privilege of choosing 

 two representatives in parliament. The members are chosen by 

 UM vice-chancellor, doctor*, and regent and non-regent masters in 

 convocation. 



The number of members on the books in January 1854 was 6259. 

 There are four university terms in a year Michaelmas term, which 

 begin* on the 10th of October, and ends on the 17th of December; 

 Hilary terra, which begin* on the 14th of January, and ends the day 

 before Palm Sunday; Easter term, which begins on the 10th d..y 

 after Easter Sunday, and ends on the day before Wliit Sunday ; and 

 Trinity term, which begins on the Wednesday after Whit Sunday, and 

 ends the Saturday after the Act, which is always on the first Tuesday 

 in July. 



Before a candidate can proceed to the examination for Bachelor of 

 Art*, he must have kept 16 terms, unless he be a member of the 

 peerage, or the eldest son of a baronet or knight, and matriculated as 

 neb, in which case three years, are sufficient. But in point of fact the 

 term* are so reckoned that resilience for 12 terms only is necessary 

 for any candidate. The candidate* have to make responsions, as it is 

 termed, that is to undergo a previous examination publicly, by the 

 masters of the schools. The filial examinations for the degree of B.A. 

 are held twice a year, beginning on the 2nd of November, and on the 

 Friday which follows the second Sunday after Easter. After the 

 candidates have been examined, the names of those who have 

 honourably distinguished themselves are distributed in alphabetical 

 order into four classes, under the two great divisions of ' Litene 

 Humsniores' and 'Discipline Mathematics et Physics;.' In 1850 an 

 entire remodelling of the examination statutes took place, by which, 

 in 1852, and henceforward, it became necessary for the candidates to 

 undergo three public trials before proceeding to their B.A. degree, and 

 the range of subjects is made to include law and modern history, and 

 is otherwise considerably extended. 



The public buildings belonging to the University are the schools 

 with the Bodleian library, the theatre, the Aslimoleau museum, the 

 Clarendon, Radcliffe's library, RadclifiVs observatory, the University 

 press, the University galleries, and Taylor institution. The Divinity 

 school, with the room above forming part of the Bodleian, was com- 

 pleted about the year 1480 : the rest of the schools, with the remainder 

 of the Bodleian, early in the 17th century. The Bodleian Library was 

 first laid open to the public on November 8th, 1602. It is a very fine 

 apartment, and contains a noble collection of printed books and 

 manuscripts. Attached to it is the picture gallery of the University. 

 The theatre was built by Wren, for Gilbert Sheldon, archbishop of 

 Canterbury and a chancellor of the University, in 1669, at an expense 

 of 15.000/. The upper part of this building was used for the uni- 

 versity press till 1713. The Asbmolean Museum was built at the 

 charge of the University, in 1683, in order to contain the Tradescant 

 collection of rarities presented to the University by Elias Ashmole. 

 The Clarendon was completed in 1712, partly from the profits arising 

 from the sale of Lord Chancellor Clarendon's ' History of the Rebel- 

 lion,' the copyright of which was given to the University. The 

 printing for the University was carried on in this building from 1713 

 to 1830, when it was removed to the newly-erected printing-house 

 The basement story of the Clarendon contains at present a police- 

 room, and the remainder of the building is appropriated to offices 

 for the despatch of university business, and lecture-rooms for the 

 professor of experimental philosophy and the readers in mineralogy 

 geology. The munificent founder of Radcliffe's Library was John 

 clifle, M.D., who, by his will, dated 13th September, 1714, appro- 



and 

 Bad 



ce, .., wo, y s w, ae t eptemer, 1714, appro- 

 priated 40,000i for the building and for the purchase of the site 

 10W. per annum for the purchase of books, and 1501. per annum for 

 UM librarian. James Oibbs was the architect The building was 

 completed in 1747. It is appropriated to the reception of books in 

 medicine and natural history. In the area of this library a few antique 

 marble* are deposited, with a selection of cast* from the best statues 

 of antiquity. Hire also is preservt-d the Corsi collection of specimens 

 of the marble* employed in the ornamental architecture of both 

 ancient awl modern Home. The Radcliffe Observatory was erected 

 out of the fund* bequeathed by Dr. Radclifle, by the trustees of his 

 will It comprise* a dwelling-house for the observer, apartment* for 

 observation and lectures, u will as rooms for an assistant-observer, 



and it is amply supplied with astronomical instruments. Owing to 

 the great increase of the printing business the present Uni\ 

 Press was commenced in 1826. It is a very extensive quadra? 

 structure, containing, besides the priutiug-rooms, house* for the super- 

 intendent*, an engine-house, strong-room for standing type, <tc. The 

 University Galleries and Taylor Institution form a magnificent range 

 of buildings, erected from the designs of Mr. Cockerel!, for the purpose 

 of carrying into effect the will of Dr. Randolph, who left a sum of 



languages," and erecting a proper edifice for the same. Tho building 

 contains also the drawings of Michel Angelo and Raffaelle, purchased 

 for the University, the models and casts of Chautrey's stain. 

 seuted to the University by his widow, and pictures, engravings, and 

 other works of art, presented at various times to the University. The 

 hptanic garden, containing about 5 acres, was originally the burial 

 ground of the Jews in Oxford. 



The professors of the University are, like those of Cambridge, paid 

 from various sources ; some from the university chest, others by the 

 crown, or from estates left for that purpose. They are the Regius 

 professors of divinity, ecclesiastical history, pastoral theology, civil 

 law, medicine, Hebrew, and Greek ; the lady Margaret's professor of 

 divinity ; the Savilian professors of geometry and astronomy ; Dr. 

 White's professor of moral philosophy ; the Camden profeasor of 

 ancient history ; Tomliue's pnelector in anatomy ; a professor of music ; 

 two professors of Arabic, one of whom is called the Lor.i Almoner's 

 reader; a botanical professor; a professor of poetry; a Regius |>io- 

 feesor of modern history ; a professor of Anglo-Saxon ; the Viuerian 

 professor of common law; a clinical professor; the Aliliichian pro- 

 fessors of anatomy, of the practice of medicine, and of chemistry ; a 

 professor of political economy; a professor of Sanscrit ; Li-u's lecturer 

 in anatomy ; Ireland's professor of the exegesis of Holy Scripture ; 

 and readers in experimental philosophy, in mineralogy, in geology, 

 and in logic. 



The following arc the colleges and halls of this University ; with 

 the date of foundation and a few other particulars : 



Univerrily College, traditionally said to have been founded bv t 

 the Great, was restored by William of Durham, who died in Ui:i. 

 The present foundation consists of a master, 13 fellows, 17 scholars, 

 together with some exhibitioners aud n Bible clerk. The buildings 

 occupy a conspicuous position in the Hi^h-street, with a frontage of 

 200 feet Bishop Homo, Dr. Radcliffe, Sir William Jones, and lords 

 Eldon and Stowell are among the eminent men educated at University 

 College. The number of members on the books in 1854, was 277. 



Balllol College was founded by John Balliol (father of John Balliol, 

 king of Scotland) and Devorguilla his wife, between 1263 and 

 The foundation consists of a master, 12 fellows, and 14 scholars, 

 besides several exhibitioners. John WicklifTe was master of Balliol 

 College; among the more eminent of its list of scholars are Bishop 

 Tuustall, Lord-keeper Coventry, John Evelyn, and Bradley tho 

 astronomer. The number of members on the books in 1854 was 353. 



iferton College, first founded at Maldou, in Surrey, in 1264, wiu 

 removed to Oxford before 1274, by Walter de Morton, bishop of 

 Rochester and Lord High Chancellor of England. The foundation 

 consists of warden, 24 fellows, 14 post-masters, 4 scholars, 2 chaplains, 

 and 2 clerks. , The buildings consist of three courts ; the older parts 

 containing some of the most ancient and curious structures in Oxford. 

 Among the more eminent members of this college are Duns Scotus, 

 Bradwardine, Wicklifie, Bishop Jewel, Anthony a Wood, Dr. \\ 

 Harvey, and Sir Richard Steele. The number of members on the 

 books in 1854 was 185. 



Exeter College was founded in 1314 by Walter de Stapledou, bishop 

 of Exeter and Lord High Treasurer of England. The present founda- 

 tion consists of a rector and 25 fellows, besides several scholars an. I 

 exhibitioners. The new front of the college, rebuilt in 1835, which 

 is the principal architectural feature, is 220 feet long. Among tho 

 more eminent scholars of Exeter College are Sir William Antony 

 Ashley, Lord Shaftesbury, and John and Charles Wesley. The number 

 of members on the books in 1854 was 487. 



Oriel College was founded by Edward VI. in 1326 for a provost and 

 10 fellows; the present foundation consists of a provost, 18 fellows, 

 and 24 scholars and exhibitioners. Sir Walter Raleigh, Pryimc, 

 Chief Justice Holt, Bishop Butler, aud Joseph Wartou are among the 

 more eminent scholars of this college. The number of members in 

 1854 was 406. 



Quern' i College was founded in 1340 by Robert Eglesfield, confessor 

 to 1'hilippa, Queen of Edward III. (from whom it was called Queen's 

 College), fora provost and 12 fellows; the fellows have been since 

 increased to 16, and there are several scholars and exhibitioners. The 

 buildings consist of two courts occupying on area of 300 feet long by 

 220 feet wide, and are among the most prominent ornaments of the 

 High-street Among the more eminent men educated at Queen's 

 College are Cardinal Beaufort, Henry V., Bernard Oilpin, bishops 

 Comptou, Nicolson, Gibson, and Tanner, Archbishop Potter, Halley, 

 Addison, Ticket, and Collins. The number of members in 1854 

 was 273. 



Ato CoUcgt was founded iu 1386 by William of Wykeham, bishop 



