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[Illustration: page129]
~129~~ Architectural Reminiscences--Descriptive Remarks--Similitude
between the Characters of Cardinal Wolsey and Napoleon.
It was past five o'clock when I arrived before the majestic towers of
Christ Church.--The retiring sun brightening the horizon with streaks of
gold at parting, shed a rich glow over the scene that could not fail to
rivet my attention to the spot. Not all the fatigues of the day, nor
the peculiarities of my new situation, had, in the least, abated my
admiration of architectural beauties. The noble octagonal tower in the
enriched Gothic style, rising like a colossal ~130~~ monument of art
among the varied groups of spires, domes, and turrets, which from a
distance impress the traveller with favourable ideas of the magnificence
of Oxford, first attracted my notice, and recalled to my memory two
names that to me appear to be nearly associated (by comparison) with
each other, Wolsey and Napoleon; both gifted by nature with almost
all the brightest qualifications of great minds; both arriving at the
highest point of human grandeur from the most humble situations;
equally the patrons of learning, science, and the arts; and both equally
unfortunate, the victims of ambition: both persecuted exiles; yet,
further I may add, that both have left behind them a fame which
brightens with increasing years, and must continue to do as every
passing day removes the mist of prejudice from the eyes of man.
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