outline or of light and shade. This plainness is still further increased by the removal of the transoms with which the windows were originally furnished, and which are still retained in those in the tower. The Gateway-tower on the east side, which afforded an opportunity for this, is not distinguished by any projection from the flat wall, but merely rises above the parapet on the same plane. The oriel, too, over the doorway, which might have given effect, is tame and poor. The whole mass is square, without buttresses or any other projection to relieve it. In the inner front of the Tower, however, more pains have been taken; the five storeys into which it is divided are each ornamented with columns of one of the five classic orders, the plinths, friezes, and the shafts, for a third of their length, being covered with the peculiar Arabesque of the period, intermixed with the national emblems, &c. In the fourth storey is a figure of James I., and the whole is surmounted with a parapet of open scroll-work enclosing the royal arms. These figures were originally gilt. Taken altogether, this composition is a favourable specimen of the style of that time, though it does not harmonise with the Gothic turret and pinnacle which rise above it. The archway is groined, and is a curious example, the bosses being all more or less of Elizabethan design.
Central Boss, Gateway of the Schools.
The wooden door is panelled, the panels being filled with the arms of the various colleges as late as Wadham, that being then newly-erected.
Anthony à Wood’s description of this gateway is so good in its way, and harmonises so completely with his subject, that it is here given complete:—
“But between the geometry and metaphysic, and astronomy and logic schools, is the chief entrance from Cat Street into this new fabric; having over it an eminent and stately tower, wherein are contained, beside the vault or entrance, four rooms; the first is the mathematical library for the use of the Savilian professors; the second is part of the gallery; the third, the muniments and registers of the University; and the fourth, which is the uppermost, doth serve for astronomy uses. On the outside of the said tower, next to the area, or quadrangle, is beheld the rise of five stories of pillars (equal to every storey of the tower), viz., of Thuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite work. Between the upper storey of pillars saving one is the effigies of King James I. cut very curiously in stone, sitting on a throne, and giving with his right hand a book to the picture or emblem of Fame, with this inscription on the cover:
“HÆC HABEO QUÆ SCRIPSI.
“With his left hand he reacheth out another book to our mother, the University of Oxford, represented in effigie, kneeling to the King, with this inscription on the cover also:
“HÆC HABEO QUÆ DEDI.
“On the verge of the canopy over the throne, and the King’s head, which is also most admirably cut in stone, is his motto: