THE CHARM OF OXFORD
by
J. WELLS, M.A.
Warden of Wadham College, Oxford
Illustrated by
W. G. BLACKALL
Second Edition (Revised)
SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON
KENT & CO., LTD., 4 STATIONERS'
HALL COURT : : LONDON, E.C.4
"'Home of lost causes'—this is Oxford's blame; 'Mother of movements'—this, too, boasteth she; In the same walls, the same yet not the same, She welcomes those who lead the age-to-be."
Copyright
First published 1920
Second edition 1921
"Much have ye suffered from time's gnawing tooth, Yet, O ye spires of Oxford domes and towers, Gardens and groves, your presence overpowers The soberness of reason." WORDSWORTH.
Plate I. Christ Church : The Cathedral fromthe Garden
PREFACE
There are many books on Oxford; the justification for this newone is Mr. Blackall's drawings. They will serve by their grace andcharm pleasantly to recall to those who know Oxford the scenes theylove; they will incite those who do not know Oxford to remedy thatdefect in their lives.
My own letterpress is only written to accompany the drawings. Itis intended to remind Oxford men of the things they know or oughtto know; it is intended still more to help those who have notvisited Oxford to understand the drawings and to appreciate some ofthe historical associations of the scenes represented.
I have written quite freely, as this seemed the best way tocreate the "impression" wished. I have to acknowledge someobligations to Messrs. Seccombe & Scott's Praise ofOxford, a book the pages of which an Oxford man can always turnover with pleasure, and to Mr. J. B. Firth's Minstrelsy ofIsis; it is not his fault that the poetic merit of so much ofhis collection is poor. Oxford has not on the whole been fortunatein her poets. My own quotations are more often chosen for theirlocal colour than for their poetic merit.
I have unavoidably had to borrow a good deal from my ownOxford and its Colleges, but the aim of the two books isvery different.
WADHAM COLLEGE, OXFORD,
April 1920.
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
RADCLIFFE SQUARE
THE BROAD STREET
BALLIOL COLLEGE
MERTON COLLEGE
MERTON LIBRARY
ORIEL COLLEGE
QUEEN'S COLLEGE
NEW COLLEGE: (1) FOUNDER AND BUILDINGS
NEW COLLEGE: (2) HISTORY
LINCOLN COLLEGE
MAGDALEN COLLEGE: (1) SITE ANDBUILDINGS
MAGDALEN COLLEGE: (2) HISTORY
BRASENOSE COLLEGE
CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE
CHRIST CHURCH: (1) THE CATHEDRAL