The broad terrace in front of the
buildings, the extent of the arena, and the circular basin of water in
the centre, render this an agreeable promenade.--I had almost forgotten
the deity of the place (I hope not symbolical), a leaden Mercury{2}; the
gift of Dr. John Radcliffe, which rises from the centre of the basin,
on the spot where once stood the sacred cross of St. Frideswide, and the
pulpit of the reformer, Wickliffe.
2 Since pulled down and destroyed.
THE DINNER PARTY.
Bernard Blackmantles Visit to Tom Echo---Oxford Phraseology-
Smuggled Dinners--A College Party described--Topography of a
Man's Boom--Portrait of a Bachelor of Arts--Hints to
Freshmen--Customs of the University.
~132~~ "When first the freshman, bashful, blooming, young, Blessings
which here attend not handmaids long, Assumes that cap, which franchises
the man, And feels beneath the gown dilate his span; When he has stood
with modest glance, shy fear, And stiff-starch'd band before our prime
vizier, And sworn to articles he scarcely knew, And forsworn doctrines
to his creed all new: Through fancy's painted glass he fondly
sees Monastic turrets, patriarchal trees, The cloist'ral arches'
awe-inspiring shade, The High-street sonnetized by Wordsworth's jade,
His raptured view a paradise regards, Nurseling of hope! he builds on
paper cards.
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