before us, which is composed of a Doric archway of very noble proportions, graced on each side two fluted columns, leads into a small quadrangle of modern architecture, called Canterbury, the present buildings of which were erected between the years 1773 and 1783, after a plan furnished by Mr. Wyatt; of whose classical taste the portal just described, uniting in an eminent degree simplicity with grandeur of effect, affords a brilliant illustration.

No part of the buildings of this court, the eastern end of the Library excepted, can be considered ornamental; but when, having passed the Library corner, the stranger enters Peckwater Quadrangle, he is surprised with an extended display of Grecian architecture in its most fascinating aspects. Three sides of the quadrangle, namely, the eastern, northern, and western, exhibit the graceful elegance of the Ionic order; while the southern division affords a fine specimen of the more rich Corinthian. Each of the former presents uniform ranges of apartments, comprised in an elevation of three stories. Of these, the second and third are comprehended in the Ionic order, which rest upon a rustic inferior story. Of the fifteen windows comprised in each upper tier, the central five are surmounted by a slightly projecting pediment, supported by six three-quarter co

lumns, which, with the pilasters that separate the lateral divisions of windows, support an entablature, on which rests a handsome balustrade. Beneath the cornice, on the northern side of the square, appears this inscription. Atrü Peckwateriensis quod spectas Latus extruxit Antonius Radcliffe, S. T. P. hujusce Edis primo Alumnus, deinde Canonicus.

The whole southern side of the quadrangle is taken up by the LIBRARY, a detached edifice of a noble and imposing appearance, one hundred and fifty feet in exterior length, by forty feet in breadth. The front presents an elevation of two stories, ornamented by a series of massive columns of the Corinthian order, supporting an entablature and balustrade. The door-way, and the lower tier of windows, are arched. On entering this superb

b He was the first and chief contributor: his donation was 80001. Dr. Aldrich gave the design for the eastern, northern, and western sides; Dr. Clarke that for the Library. The former were commenced January 26, 1705; the latter was not begun till the year 1716, and not completed till 1761.

In consequence of a departure from the original plan, which was to have the front of the Library erected on an open piazza of seven arches, these columns appear to the beholder only semi-columns. The space originally allotted to the piazza, has been formed into a series of apartments for the reception of books and paintings. The Library now stands on a kind of shelving terrace; but, in the original design, an ascent of three steps ran along the entire front of the edifice.

structure, numerous pieces of sculpture present themselves in connection with the entrance-passage and staircase. Among them are busts of George I. and II. finely executed by Rysbrach; of Archbishops Boulter and Robinson; and of Doctors Frewen and Friend; the imaged countenance of Dr. Frewen, by Roubilliac, which is one of the finest productions of his chisel, is happily expressive of advanced age.

A statue, by Roubilliac also, of the celebrated philosopher Locke, who was once a student on this foundation, but was expelled by order of Charles II. on account of his political principles, occupies a niche on the staircase. The interior of the Library presents a grand and striking coup d'œil. It is furnished with a gallery, and surrounded with bookcases, containing one of the best collections of books, manuscripts, prints, original drawings, and coins, that we can boast of, although certainly not equal in either extent or curiosity to what it would have been, had the magnificent purpose of Wolsey relative to its formation been fulfilled. He, it seems, intended that the Library should comprise a specimen of every printed work, and copies of the most valuable MSS. in the Vatican.. To the present collection the first distinguished contributor was Otho Nicholson, an Examiner in Chancery, who gave 800l.: but the two most dis