The Superstructure, raised upon this Basement, is perfectly Cylindrical, and adorned with ThreeQuarter Columns of the Corinthian Order; which are ranged, not at equal Distances, but in Couplets. Between these, there is an Alternacy of Windows and Niches all round: Over the latter, next to the Architrave, are beautiful Feftoons of Fruits and Flowers. The Entablature is much enriched with Carving; and over it is a Balluftrade furrounding the whole, finished with Vafes on the Piers perpendicular to the Columns. This is at the height of 80 Feet; above which, tho' confiderably contracted, is a Cupola of 60; the Manner in which it is built may better be comprehended by a Glance at the Print annexed, than from the moft accurate verbal Description; to which, therefore, we refer the Reader, and proceed to give some Account of the Infide. Seven of the Gate-ways abovementioned are Entrances into the Porcico or Arcade; in the Center of which within the Piers is a wide fpreading Dome; and without them, a Cloyster almoft encircling it. Over each of the Entrances is a Dome of fmaller Dimenfions, curioully wrought with variety of Mofaic. The Eighth Gate-way is appropriated to the Stair-Cafe, the Well of which is Oval; the Steps, which are of Stone, eafy of Afcent; adhering to the Wall at one End, but feem rather to be upheld by the Iron Rail that is upon them, than fupported underneath at the other: This is deemed a curious Piece of Mafonary; but is not the only one of the Kind in Oxford. The Awe we are ftruck with at entering into the Grand Area of the Library, we leave to the Experience of those who feel it; as it is not eafily defcribed. The Pavement is of different coloured Stone, brought from Harts Foreft in Germany. The Piers or Butments of the Arches are adorned with Pilafters of the Ionic Order.

The Dome, which is 46 Feet high from the Pavement, is wrought in curious Compartments in Stucco. It is chiefly lighted by Windows in

the

the Cylindric Part thereof; between which, are Treffes of Fruits and Flowers. In the circular Part, without the Piers, are the Book-Cafes and Reading-Tables; this Part is lighted by the small fquare Windows; which are thus proportioned and difpofed, to admit of a Gallery above, which would otherwife have been too high, this Gallery is appropriated to the fame Ufes as the circular Part beneath. Over the Door is a very good Statue of the Founder by Rysbrac: The best Point to view it from, is, directly oppofite to it, in the Gallery. The firft Stone of this fuperb Building was laid May 17, A. D. 1737; and being compleatly finished, it was opened on Thursday, April 13, 1749; when the Duke of Beaufort, at the Requeft of the other Trustees, viz. the Earl of Oxford, Sir Walter Wagfaff Bagot, and Sir Watkin Williams Wynne, Baronets, and Edward Smith, Efq; delivered the Keys into the Hands of the Rev. Dr. John Purnel then Vice-Chancellor; who, in the Name of the Univerfity, returned Thanks to the Trustees for their faithful Discharge of the Truft repofed in them, in a Latin Speech. Then Dr. Lewis fpoke his Speech in the Theatre inftead of the Orator, and afterwards Dr. King his celebrated Oration.

The Librarian is appointed by the Great Officers of State; and not by the Trustees, or the University.

After the public Buildings, a Description of the PHYSIC GARDEN properly follows. It lies at the Eaft End of the City, on the River Cherwell, oppofite to Magdalen College. This was the Donation of the Right Honourable Henry D'Anvers, Earl of Danby; who purchafed the Ground (containing five Acres) of Magdalen College, furrounded it with a lofty Wall, and erected, next to the Street, a Parapet with Iron Palifades thereon, and a Pair of Iron-Gates. The Piers which fupport these and the other Iron-work, being properly ornamented with Vafes of Fruits and Flowers of various

Kinds;

Kinds; the whole ferving as a Fence to the GreenCourt, through which we pass to the Gate-way or Grand-Entrance.

This Gate-way is juftly esteemed an elegant Piece of Architecture. The Defign is afcribed to Inigo Jones; nor is it unworthy of fuch an Architect: The Manner of it is thus: It is of the Doric Proportion, but without Triglyphs. The Columns and other Parts of the Building are curioufly wrought with Ruftic. The Frontifpiece confifts of two small Pediments, and one of larger Dimenfion; which, at its Extremities, partly covers the other two, and the whole is mantled over with Lead; fo that neither Snow or Rain can lodge to damage the Fabric. In the Center over the Arch is a Buft of the Founder, Lord Danby. On the Left-hand of the Entrance is a Statue of CHARLES I. and on the Righthand, one of CHARLES II. The Niches these ftand in are finished by the two small Pediments abovementioned. On the Face of the Corona and the Frize it the following Infcription; viz. Glorie Dei optimi maximi Honori Caroli I. Regis in Ufum Academia & Reipublica Henricus Comes Danby, Anno 1632. This Inscription is likewise on the Garden Front.

The Garden is divided into four Quarters, with a broad Walk down the Middle, a crofs Walk, and one all round. Near the Entrance, one on the Right, the other on the Left, are two elegant and useful Green-houses, built by the Univerfity for Exotics; of which there is as confiderable a Collection, as can be met with any where. One of the large Aloes was blown in 1750, and grew to the Height of 21 Feet. In the Quarters, within the Yew Hedges, is the greatest Variety imaginable of fuch Plants as require no artificial Heat to nourish them, all ranged in their proper Claffes, and numbered.

At the lower End of the middle Walk, near the Iron Gates, are two magnificent Yew-Trees, cut in the Form of Pedestals, (but of enormous Size)