onal 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. Such
were the thoughts that rushed upon my mind as I stood gazing on the
splendid fabric before me, from the western side of St. Aidates,
unheedful of the merry laughter-loving group of students and
under-graduates, who, lounging under the vaulted gateway, were amusing
themselves at my expense in quizzing a freshman in the act of lionising.
The tower contains the celebrated _Magnus Thomas_, recast from the
great bell of Osney abbey, by whose deep note at the hour of nine in
the evening the students are summoned to their respective colleges. The
upper part of the tower displays in the bracketed canopies and carved
enrichments the skilful hand of Sir Christopher Wren, whose fame was
much enhanced by the erection of the gorgeous turrets which project on
each side of the gateway.{1} Not caring to endure a closer attack of
the _togati_, who had now approached me, I crossed and entered the
great quadrangle, or, according to Oxford phraseology, _Tom Quad_. The
irregular nature of the buildings here by no means assimilate with the
elegance of the exterior entrance.

1 It was here, in Lord Orford's opinion, that he "caught the
graces of the true Gothic taste."

[Illustration: page131]

~131~~ The eastern, northern, and part of the southern sides of the
quadrangle are, I have been since informed, inhabited by the dean and
canons; the western by students. 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