The Statural Hiflory 
153. There are feveral other roofs in this Vniverfity alfo well 
worth the noting, whereof fome are flat or under-f itched^ as the 
roof of the great Hall at Chrijl Church College, and the roofs of the 
Chaff els and Halls at Magdalen College and New College ; others 
due proportion' or over 'pitched^ fuch as at/^T^* Wadham^ Corpus 
Chrifti-) Exeter^ and Oriel Colleges • which yet having nothing ex- 
traordinary either in their contrivance or workmanfliip, I pafs 
them by, and proceed next, 
154. To fome remarkable pieces of Painting th^t we have here 
at Oxon ; amongft which (to omit the deformation of a Ccefars head 
to be feen in the Schools, brought into (liape by a metalline Cylin- 
der, and feveral others of the kind at Sir Anthony Copes ; and that 
Painting it felf v^^as firft brought into England by Venerable Bede of 
this Vniverfity *) I take the Painting of the Theater to be well 
worth examination : for in imitation of ihtTheaterso^ the anci^. 
ent Greeks and Romans, which were too large to be covered with 
lead or tile, fo this by the Painting of the Jlat roof within, is repre- 
fented open : and as they ftretched a cordage from Pilajier to Pih'- 
fier, upon which they drained a covering of cloth, roproteftthe 
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 reddilli Drapery^ fuppofed to 
have covered the roof, but now furl'd 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, towhofe affemhly Truth ddccnds^ 
as being follicited,and implored by them all. 
155. For joy of this Fefiival fome other Genii fport about 
the Clouds, with their Fe^loons of Flomrs znd Lawrels, and pre- 
pare their garlands of Lawrels and Rofes, viz* Honor and Pleafure 
for the great lovers and fludentso^ thofe Arts-, and that this j^wi- 
hly might be perfeMy happy, their great ewmiey and difturbers, 
Envy, Rapin, and Brutality, are by the Genii of their oppofite Vir- 
tues,viz^ Prudence, Fortitude,znd Eloquence, driven from the/aaV- 
ty, and thrown down head-long from the Clouds : The report of 
the ajfemhly oi the one, and the expulfion of the other, being pro- 
claimed through the open and ferene Air, by fome other of the 
Genii, who blowing their ^;2//V^Trumpets, divide themfelves into 
the feveral Quarters of the World. Hitherto in grofs. 
" ytd.Comv:e>it.in Carmm. phiikuaum-jJoh.Scldefii) before Hopfom Concordance of Years. 
156. More 
