OXFORD. 
it comprehends groups of towers, domes, aa pinnacles, 
and turrets, intermixed with folemn mafles of folia lage 5 and 
i iteearis 
Occetnally the latter prefent an ocean-like appearance 5 
hen oln 
e {woln waters overflow their natural bounds, and 
inundate the flat lands. At fuch a time Oxford feems like 
n ifland; but it is an ifland filled 
intermixed with groves and gardens. 
this effect is not unfrequent. The ‘approaches to the city, 
from the eaft, the London road, from the north, the weft, 
and the fouth, are all very impofing and beautiful ; and each 
prefents a very diffimilar Pt and effect to either of 
others. From 
On 
fronts of feveral colleges, hes, and private dwellings, 
are gradually and fucceffively unfolded to the fight. This 
ftreet is broad and long; it has a gentle bend or curve in 
its whole extent, and this conftitutes one of its fine features. 
coup d’ceil is fingularly impreffive and eae ue. This is 
at a broad part of the ftreet, near the middle, where Queen’s 
college, on the right hand, and Univerfity college, on the left, 
form the fore-ground of the fcene, whilft the front of All- 
Souls, the fteeple and rich windows of St. Mary’s church, 
the modern {pire of caries church, and the old tower of 
St. Martin’s, conftitute the prominent features in the 
diftance ; and all together prefent a ftreet {cene of unrivalled 
beauty, ey » and e 
a painting by J.M. W 
, The other eae: to Oxford, though not fo in- 
terefting as this, are all grand, and highly prepoffefling ; and 
each is calculated to ftimulate the curiofity of the ftranger, 
excite emotions of anxiety and pleafure. A broad 
fe, {kirted with rows of old trees, and flanked by the ob- 
fervatory, St. Giles's church, St. John’s college, and many 
private houfes, is the approach from the north; whilft the 
oppofite entrance is from ows over three or four 
bridges, where the noble towers and turrets of Chrift-church, 
with its vaft grove . ftately elms, conititute the chief fea. 
On th 
er and fome modern towers, 
which now conttitute the county gaol. 
The whole buildings of this city occupy an area of ground 
extending about one mile from north to fouth, and the fame 
length from eaft to weft. It is interfeCted in the fame direc- 
tion by two rincipal ee or ttreets, with feveral 
fmaller ftreets and lanes. On the fouth, eaft, and weft, it 
is fkirted by meadows, and on Ale north by corn fields. 
The latter es was formerly guarded by ig different lines 
of fortification: a bold fofle and ditch, at fore diftan 
from the buildings, extended from the river on ealt 
the river on the weft, and a lofty wall with baftion towers, 
at Oo 
oo 
inclofed the chief buildings of the city on the fame fide. 
The city of Oxford, liberties, 
compa fourteen 
In the fo erty b hitter and pea as - this renowned 
circumft 
very imperfe&tly and inaccurately treated. In the fequel 
we fhall particularife our authorities. 
Hiftorical Events.— be readily paced the 
ve 
origin and ancient hiftor _of the town and un 
era. his to 
Caer-Memphric, in honour of its founder ; Mie Belle- 
fitum, from a pretty mountain near it; afterwards Ridohen,. 
implying, in the Celtic languages a ford of oxen; 3 and Caer. 
Voflei, from ame of an earl who was contem- 
porary with king 
Such a view of the 0 mee of Oxford, however, thoug 
durin ng the Roman era; idea of Wood aad Leland, 
that it was ae Calleva of that eicbeiced people, and a place 
of fplendour and notoriety under their government, has been 
proved to be altogether erroneous. The f fame rare ae 
the hiftory of Oxford during the early part of the Sax 
dynafty, as at a! former period. Indeed, no credit can be 
derived its origin, by co 
sean it the baneaine of the laity. Atalleventss whether 
this was the fource of its exiftence or not, it is certain that a 
town . oe kind occupied the {cite of Oxford in the tenth 
centu 79 it was moftly burnt, and in 1002 again 
faffered ‘de tae fate. It foon revived, however, but only 
to encounter frefh difatters. 
leting 
ine was paid either to fex or age; even 
the altars were pala with the blood of te devoted victims. 
Among thofe who perifhed on this occafion, was the lady 
Gunilda, fifter to the Danifh monarch. 
This favage policy of the Saxon king inflamed the 
fentment of Swein to the higheft pitch; he ‘onfeguently 
made a defcent upon England with an overwhelming force, 
rincipal towns; but it ap- 
pears that he only frightened the inhabitants of Oxford 
ne a furrender, and impofed upon them a heavy contribu- 
About three years after this event, Ethelre vi ng 
hae from France, whither he had fled to avoid the ven 
geance of Swein, invited fome of the Danifh nobles hishier 
to a conference, and treacheroufly ues two of 
number 
