BRASENOSE, one of the colleges of Oxford university, sometimes called Ring's hall and college of B., was founded in the year 1509, by the joint benefaction of 11 illiam Smith, bishop of Lincoln, at one time chancellor of the university, and sir Richard Sutton, knight of Prestbury, in Cheshire. The original foundation was for a principal and twelve fellows. Eight fellowships were afterwards added by various benefactors, from 1522 to 1586. This college is also very rich in scholarships and exhibitions; more part icularly the linIrne exhibitions, 15 in number, of value £135 per annum each, besides 1.:20 to be spent in books, to be approved of by the principal. The statutes of this college, which were issued in 1520, three years after time publication of Luther's theses, seem to have been framed by a person warmly attached to the Roman Catholic faith. They enjoin devotional exercises of a peculiarly popish character, such as repeating five times each day the Lord's prayer in honor of the five wounds of the crucifixion, of the angelic salutation in honor of the five joys of the blessed virgin, etc. These devotions were in some cases enforced by fines and whipping. The origin of the name of the college is obscure. Legends say that it was originally "brewing-house," which became corrupted into the present appellation; but Anthony Wood tells us that the college was "near finished out of the ruins of several hostels, the chief of which was Brasenose hall, so called, without doubt, from such a sign, which was in ancient time over its door, as other halls also had, viz., Hawk or llieron hall, Elephant, Swan, or Bull hall." The
former theory is supported by the fact, that B. has always been celebrated for the excel lence of its beer; the latter is borne witness to by a nose in brass, curiously fashioned, which is now conspicuous over the great gateway. Till lately, all the fellowships were confined to natives of certain counties. The senior fellowships, owing to the appropri ations of fines to the seniors, were very valuable, about £500 per annum; while the junior fellowships were about £80. By the commissioners appointed under 17 and 18 Yid. c. Si, many importaut alterations have been introduced. Five out of the twenty fellow ships have been suppressed, one being elevated to the endowment of a professorship, the remaining four to the establishment of additional scholarships. All the remaining fellow ships have been thrown open. The senior fellowships have been limited to £300 per annum; the junior -raised to £150. 'Various oaths, previously taken by the fellows, them to statements which were untrue, and binding them to duties impos sible to be performed, have been by the same authority abolished. B. presents to 24 benefices, besides 29 pieces of preferment vested in the trustees of the Hubne exhibitions, for behoof of the exhibitioners. Though considered what is commonly called a " good college," B. has never attained much distinction in the "schools." In all probability this has been owing to the restrictions subject to which its endowments were so long administered. The number of names on the books is about 500; the number of resident undergraduates is considerably over 100.