PREFACE.

THE following pages are intended to supply a deficiency, of which, it is presumed, not only strangers, but Gentlemen of the University and resident Inhabitants of the City of Oxford, must have been frequently sensible, that of a concise, historical, and descriptive account of both the University and City. It is certainly not a little surprising, that, while topographical works have, of late years, been multiplied with a rapidity which has provided for the British tourist a History, Guide, Survey, View, or Picture,

of almost every place in the empire of any consequence, the present attempt should also be the first, to describe as it has been and to delineate as it is, in a single volume of moderate size and price, a City abounding so in objects of high and commanding interest. Of the Colleges, Halls, and Public Buildings, attached to the University, a full and judiciously compiled account was, it is true, laid before the public, in 1810, by Alexander Chalmers, Esq. a gentleman whose superior qualifications for such an undertaking are universally known and acknowledged. But Mr. C.'s work, which, from the number of embellishments, is also of necessity sold at a high price, is a history exclusively of the Colleges, Halls, and Public Buildings, of the University; not comprehending even a sketch of what may be termed the general history

of the University, and, of course, not touching upon the City. Of the latter, no account has been published since the year 1773; a circumstance, the consideration of which has induced the present Writer to extend considerably beyond the limits originally proposed that portion of his volume which is allotted to a history and description of the City.

It may be necessary to add a few words on the plan of this publication. To the Colleges and Halls, and to the several Public Structures of the University, the Stranger is introduced in the course of five "Walks," supposed to occupy an equal number of days; a space of time certainly not more than sufficient for even a mere tour of inspection through the University. No

a Sir John Peshall's work made its appearance in this year.

particular order is observed in accompanying the stranger through the chief buildings of the different collegiate establishments; but to impart, as much as possible, a character of unity to the descriptions, certain particulars respecting the Colleges are omitted in the "Walk" through each. Such are, some of the principal additional benefactions, the dates and dimensions of buildings, the number of individuals composing the several Societies, &c. As however to omit these wholly would be justly censurable, they are given in the first and second numbers of the Appendix ; to the former of which has also been referred a very limited selection of the names of eminent men who have received their education wholly or partially in the respective Colleges and Halls. A concise memoir of the Founder, with a narrative of the leading circumstances of the foundation of