MORIBVS. 01INATA. J.tenr. IIONA. BERTHA. ROSAI A It is said that a subterraneous passage is still in exis tence, communicating with the priory at Baruewell, the remains of which are about a mile from hence.
Christ's College stood formerly near Clarehall, on tin side of a hotel called God's House, and was first en dowed by William Bingham for 24 scholars, in 1442. It was removed to its present situation, on the north side of St Andrew's Street, by Ilenry VI., who intended to increase the establishment ; but was prevented by the ensuing civil wars. 1 lis maternal sister, however, Mar garct, countess of Richmond, fulfilled his intentions in 1506, and endowed it for a master and 12 fellows. It con sists of an old quadrangular court, and a modern building behind, which was designed by Inigo Jones. In the gardens is shown a large mulberry tree, that was plant ed by Milton, when a student here. The trunk is much decayed; hut sonic of the scholars have endeavoured to preserve it, by covering the damaged parts with sheet lead.
St John's College owes its original endowment to the same Lady Margaret ; but it was not completed till after her death, and was opened, in 1516, for a master and 31 fellows. It occupies the site of a priory of the same name, and consists of three courts, extending from St John's Street to the river. It is chiefly built of brick, and the entrance court from the street is ornamented with a magnificent portal and four towers. On the other side of the brook, which bounds the walks of this college, are the remains or an ancient and spacious build ing, called Pythagoras' School, or Merton Hall. Its walls are strengthened with buttresses, and supported by arches of the Saxon style ; hut the building is otherwise comph tely devoid of ornament, except one window on each side, which has a slender pillar in the centre, with a capital decorated with a round moul:ing.—This is sup posed to have been the place where the monks of Croy land delivered their lectures. It is, however, now used as a barn.
Magdalene College is situated in Bridge Street. on the west side of the river, and was originally a priory for canons-regular, dedicated to St Gilt s. In the reign of Henry VIII., it was purchased by Edward, duke of
Buckingham, who erected a part of the present building, and intended to have endowed it ; but was prevented by his execution, and the consequent confiscation of his pro perty. It was afterwards endowed for a master and four Ballow s, in 1542, by Lord Audley, chancellor of England, who obtained a grant of it from the king, and a char ter of incorporation, under the name of St Mary. Magda lene College. The chapel has a curious altar-piece of plaster of Paris, representing the two Marks :.t the se pulchre in alto relieto.
Trinity College occupies the site of two ancient col leges, St Michael's and King's Hall, and several ho tels. It was founded and endowed by Henry VIII. in 1546, and pos,esses the richest revenues of any similar establishment in Cambridge. Its buildings are also very magnificent, consisting of two spacious but irregular quadrangular courts, the largest of which measures 334 feet by 325 west and east, and 287 by 256 north and south. The east entrance from the street is by a grand tower gateway, which is ornamented by a statue of Henry VIII., and a variety of carving; and the south gateway is surmounted with four lofty towers at the cor ners, and adorned with a fine statue of Queen Elizabeth in her robes. The chapel is built in the Gothic style, and was erected by the sister queens, Mary and Eliza beth. On the altar-piece is a fine picture of " St Mi chael and the Devil," by West ; and on each side, an an tique and curious piece of painting in perspective ; the one representing our Saviour and St John the Baptist ; the other, the Virgin Mary and the mother of St John. Behind the organ gallery is a statue of the immortal Newton, executed in a masterly style by Roubilliac, and erected at the expence of Dr Robert Smith. The phi losopher is represented in a loose gown of a master of arts, with a prism in his hands. His countenance is turned upwards, with a look of profound and abstracted meditation, and on the pedestal is the inscription, Qui genus human um. ingenio sztperavit. The drapery and fea tures are extremely beautiful ; and the whole figure is con sidered one of the finest specimens of English statuary.