268 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER, 
JCTLY 7. 
had a secret desire to visit this institution, catching, as we 
proceed, a last farewell view of the procession dying away, 
with the men in the long black cloaks. How quiet, cool, 
and refreshing it strikes us, as we enter the vaulted base¬ 
ment of the library ; we feel incline to meditate—and surely 
this is a spot Avell worthy of meditation—though, perhaps, 
it is just as well for our readers that we resolve to ascend 
after a different fashion; hut, by all the noble institutions 
that surrounds us, and cover us, the door is locked ! Surely 
they do not forbid strangers ; it is very unfortunate, 20,000 
vols. of hooks, &c., and no access ? IVe are a working man, 
and our hands are brown and corny; this circumstance may 
not be in our favour, but we do not intend to leave Oxford 
without seeing the interior of the library, if it is possible. 
We will reconnoitre a little in the cool, some one may appear 
presently to unfold the mystery. Two young men now offer 
their presence, they make for the door, and depart, merely 
observing, “ it is locked.” A good feature, we breathe more 
freely. Parties now appear, and disappear, all express 
themselves satisfied with the coolness. Now a man with a 
key in his hand, he walks quickly to the door, unlocks it, 
j enters, and it closes again; we rush up, it turns on its 
I hinges, and we eagerly enquire of the person ascending the 
stairs, if it is admissable for strangers to view the library ? 
“ Yes, by paying a fee! ” To pay, this is an Englishman’s 
privilege ! Without further parley we mount the stone stair¬ 
case buoyantly. Upon the landing we expend a few glances 
for the bust of Gibbs (the architect of the building), and 
then dive at once into the area beneath the cupola. How 
often we pirouetted and lifted the human countenance is 
! immaterial. There is a loveable rounded proportion in the 
whole thing, excepting the squareness about the windows. 
This feature appeared to intrude uncomfortably, though we 
dare say it is all very proper; still we are inclined to think, 
where a style of architecture, or what not, is rounded as a 
principle, the effect becomes marred by suddenly intro¬ 
ducing the square, and vice versa. The title pages of all the 
books our eyes ran over W’ould prove by far too great an 
enterprise for our pen. Amongst other objects we noticed 
two drawings of those giants in the llower way—the Rafflesia 
Arnoldi, and the Doryanlhcs excclsa. 
A collection of rare and beautiful sculpture is arranged 
around the area, embueing the senses with a classical 
feeling. We particularly contemplated the statue of the 
“ cold and terrible goddess Diana; ” more so, probably, 
because we happen to know that her race is not extinct; 
though we really and truly hope it may be scarce. Entering 
by another door which leads us up to the gallery, we again 
meet with an infinity of books orderly arranged, and “ thick 
as leaves in Yallembrosa; ” statuary and sculpture also 
adorn this circle. We admired a very beautiful Cupid, and 
wished very much we dared alter his position a little, in 
order to place an object, and so convey a meaning for his 
aim—the marble heart of the “ cold and terrible goddess ” 
below would thus be made to appear exactly in a line 
for his arrow’s flight. We strenuously advise the librarian 
to consider this hint; morals resulting from such a tale 
might weave incalculable influence in these times of nugget 
hunting notoriety! A beautiful panoramic view of Oxford, 
and the surrounding country, unfolds itself from the top of 
the building; but our time is limited ; being anxious to visit 
the Botanic Gardens before we attend the Horticultural 
fete, we do not ascend there, but plunge once more into the 
area to take a farewell look at the full-length oil painting 
of Eadclifl'e; thus encouraging grateful sentiments towards 
the memory of a noble benefactor to his country. The 
| theory of the pendulum movement was nicely carried out 
! here in its day; and what a capital place the smooth, un- 
| obstructed marble-floor Avould prove for the table movement! 
; now so popular. Apropos, we could point out to our readers 
a cottage in Suffolk (all covered with roses), where would 
be found a bible lying on a mahogany-table, and where, at 
a particular verse—we think somewhere in Solomon’s 
Song—is the imprint of a door key, occasioned by the last- 
meutioned article having formerly (twenty years since) 
been secured in that spot, for the purpose of allowing two 
individuals fore fingers to puss through its eye, and the 
suspended book spirited to turn either way, according to the 
magnetic wish of the operators! Is there anything new 
under the sun ? 
We depart from the library with regret, with the image 
of all we saw there indelibly stamped upon the mind, to 
remain for us so long as our faculties endure. How we 
envy those fortunate people who have time and opportunity 
to spend a few hours here occasionally. After a glance at 
some fragments from the Giant’s Causeway, at the bottom of 
the stairs, we make our exit from the door, and continue 
our admiring way down the High street, until arrested in 
our course at the handsome gateway (completed by Inigo 
Jones) of the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain; we ring 
the hell, and are at once admitted, and will at once briefly 
state those trees, shrubs, and plants displaying their floral 
beauty at the time ; note also what other objects may strike 
our rapid attention, and start by, not soaring too high at the 
outset: not a bad principle. 
Turning to our right, the humble exotic annuals first 
claim our attention. Those in bloom were— Adonis eestivalis, 
Collinsia grandijlora, Calandrina Lindleyana, Gilia tricolor, 
Iberis pinna!a, Malcomia marilima, Ncmophila atomaria, 
N. insignis, N. maculata, Oxyura chrysanthemoides, Platys- 
tcmon Californicum, Silcpc pendula, Trifolium incarnation, 
Valcrianclla cymbcecarpa, and V. cornucopia. The “ British 
herbaceous plants classed according to the Linmean 
system,” and the “ Exotic herbaceous plants grouped ac¬ 
cording to the natural system,” came next in order. The 
most prominent of them in bloom Avcre the Asphodelus 
aureus, Borayinacece , Euphorbias, Iris, Geraniacete, Poeonias, \ 
Rheum, and Rumex. Four ambulatory parallel strolls upon 
the turf thus exhaust themselves, and we find ourselves 
entering the gravel-walk which contains the sun-dial. Dwarf j 
scarlet Geraniums, Petunias, Verbenas, &c. (just recovering | 
from the excessive drought), occupy their respective beds 
in masses ; the Shrubland Bose Petunia taking a place of 
honour. Next we enter the walk, par excellence, which 
contains the centre aquarium, and contemplate with pity the 
young water god on the top of the fountain, who has made 
use of the liquid to a degree sufficient for the wearing 
away his features beyond all expression ; plainly evidencing, 
to our mind, how too much of a good thing may become 
prejudicial, whether imbibed internally or externally—water 
not excepted. 
The aquatic plants seemed cramped for room, though, 
possibly, after having visited the aquarium in the Botanic 
Gardens, Edinburgh, we may feel a little spoilt in tins 
respect. The third parallel walk now invites our steps, its 
margins are studded with beds massed with popular 
annuals, &c., which, by the time this description meets the 
public eye, will be looking very gay and pretty. Now \ve 
raise our head, and revel amongst the British and exotic 
trees and shrubs. Those Ave noticed in bloom, were— Acer 
monspessidanum (Maple); Cerasus padus (Bird Cherry) ; 
C eras us vulgaris (Common Cherry); Cratagus coccinea 
(Scarlet-fruited Thorn) ; Gastanea (Horse Chestnut; pink 
and common) ; Mespilus (Medlar); Ornus Europea (Flower- j 
ing Ash) ; Syringa (Lilacs ; common and Persian) ; 
Pyrus aucnpuria (Mountain Ash) Pavia Jlava (Yellow : 
Pavia) ; Pyrus arbutifolia, P. aria, P. Bollivylleriana, P. | 
sorbus, P. Pinnatijida pendula, and P. sped alii is (Pear-tree j 
varieties). 
Having satisfied our vision thus far, we proceed, by the j 
door at the north-east end of the Avail, into the “ Grass 1 
Garden,” Avliere an experimental process at once claims our | 
notice. A skeleton framework, covered with a finish net- 
work material, enclosing eight square boxes plunged up to ' 
their rims in the ground, each box containing a crop of 
barley, sown in the following:—No. 1. Bed chalk; No. 2. j 
Oolite; No. fl. Brighton chalk; No. 4. Common earth; j 
No. o. Sand; No. 6. SkiddaAV slate ; No. 7. Herefordshire 
iron sand stone ; and No. 8. A slate. The crops growing 
in the common soil, and Herefordshire sand stone, had the 
best of the race; the Hereford heating by a neck. We 
shall be curious to learn the result. We have had occular 
proof of some of the finest wheat grown on the red clays 
in Herefordshire ; but Ave do not think the soil (taking it as 
a county) is considered so favourable for barley. A proverb 
they are rather proud of, thereabouts, proclaims the county 
of Hereford to be famous for three things ( viz.) —“ Wheat, 
Women, and Water.” The first Ave have said; the latter Ave 
can testify to; as to the other more Aveiglity affair,—Ave 
know they are capital hands at managing a dairy down 
