zj^ The Statural Hiflory 



153. There are feveral other roofs in this Vniverfity alfowell 

 worth the noting, whereof fome are flat or under -pit eke J, as the 

 roof of the great Hall at Chrift Church College, and the roofs of the 

 Chappels and Halls at Magdalen College and New College ; others 

 due proportioned, or over-pitched, fuch as itjefws, Wadham, Corpus 

 Cbriji'h Exeter, and Oriel Colleges which yet having nothing ex- 

 traordinary either in their contrivance or workmanfhip, I pafs 

 them by, and proceed next, 



154. To fome remarkable pieces of Painting that we have here 

 at Oxon ; arrtongft which (to omit the deformation of a Cdefars head 

 to be feen in the Schools, brought into fhape by a metalline Cylin- 

 der, and feveral others of the kind at Sir Anthony Copes ; and that 

 Painting itfelf was firft brought into England by Venerable Bede of 

 this Vniverfity w ) I take the Painting of the Theater to be well 

 worth examination : for in imitation of the Theaters of the anci- 

 ent Greeks and Romans, which were too large to be covered with 

 leadot tile, fo this by the Painting of the fiat roof within, is repre- 

 fented open : and as they ftretched a cordage from Pilafier to Pila- 

 fier, upon which they drained a covering of cloth, to protect the 

 people from the injuries of the weather, fo here is a cord-molding 

 guilded, that reaches crofs and crofs the houfe both in length and 

 bredth, which fupporteth a great reddifh Drapery, fuppofed to 

 have covered the roof, but now furPd up by the Genii round about 

 the Houfe toward the walls, which difcovereth the open Air, and 

 maketh way for the defcent of the Arts and Sciences, that are con- 

 gregated in a circle of clouds, to whofe affembly Truth defcends, 

 as being follicited,and implored by them all. 



155. For joy of this Fefiival fome other Genii fport about 

 the Clouds, with their Feftoons of Flowers and Larvrels, and pre- 

 pare their garlands of Lawrels and Rofes, viz. Honor and Pleafure 

 for the great lovers and ffudents of thofe Arts: and that this affem- 

 bly might be perfectly happy, their great enemies and difturbers, 

 Envy, Rapin, and Brutality, are by the Genii of their oppofite Vir- 

 tues, vi%. Prudence, Fortitude,2.n& Eloquence, driven from the focie- 

 ty, and thrown down head-long from the Clouds : The report of 

 the affembly of the one, and theexpulfion of the other, being pro- 

 claimed through the open and ferene Air, by fome other of the 

 Genii, who blowing their tftf/io^Trumpets, divide themfelves into 

 the feveral Quarters of the World. Hitherto in grofs. 



* Vid. Co?mi:e>it. in Carmm. fhaleuctum, Job. SMeni, before Hoptons Concordance of Years. 



156. More 



