186 Gilpin's toeest sceneky. 



down its ancient dimensions. Through, a space 

 of sixteen yards, on every side from its trunk, it 

 once flung its boughs, and under its magnificent 

 pavilion could have sheltered, with ease, three thou- 

 sand men, though in its decayed state it could, for 

 many years, do little more than shelter some luck- 

 less individual whom the driving shower had over- 

 taken in his evening walk. In the summer of the 

 year 1788, this magnificent ruin fell to the ground, 

 alarming the college with its rushing sound. It 

 then appeared how precariously it had stood for 

 many years. Its grand tap-root was decayed, 

 and it had hold of the earth only by two or three 

 roots, of which none was more than a couple of 

 inches in diameter. From a part of its ruins a 

 chair has been made for the president of the 

 college, which will long continue its memory. 



The chair referred to by our Author as having been 

 made out of the ruins of the famous Magdalen College 

 Oak stands, wo arc informed by the Rev. Frederic Bulley, 

 the president of the College, ' in the Hall of the President's 

 lodgings, where it may be seen by visitors.' Dr. Bulley 

 adds, ' It is in the gothic style of architecture, and a fine 

 specimen of the carving of ninety years ago.' Subjoined 



