There is, perhaps, no object in the University better worth a stranger's notice, than the superb library of this college. It is a spacious apartment, occupying one side of the quadrangle called Neville's Court. The coup d'ceil at entering is surprisingly grand ; the books are ranged on either side, and the compartments severally crowned with busts of ancient and modern authors. There are likewise busts of Newton and Bacon, both members of this college, by Roubilliac, and many curious manuscripts and marbles presented to the college at different times by its members.
In the master's lodge are apartments for the chancel lor and judges when they hold the assizes at Cambridge. At the installation of the Duke of Gloucester at the an nual commencement in July 181 I , twelve hundred per sons, consisting of members of the senate, and strangers of distinction, were sumptuously entertained by his Royal Highness in the cloisters of Neville's Court.
Emanuel College occupies the site of a Dominican convent, on the north side of St Andrew's Street. It was founded in 1584, by Sir Walter Mildmav, and endowed for a master, three fellows, and four scholars. The altar piece of the chapel is adorned with a line painting of the Prodigal Son," by Ammiconi.
Sidney Susses College was originally a monastery of Franciscans, or Grey Friars, which was purchased by 'he executors of Frances Sidney, countess of Sussex, who had bequeathed 5000/. and some other property, for the foundation of a college. consisting of a master, 10 fellows, and 20 scholars. This bequest, however, being found insufficient to defray the expellee of the buildings, &c. the fellows were reduced to seven. The chapel was rebuilt about twenty years ago ; and has on the altar piece, a fine painting of the " Nativity," by Pittoni, a Venetian.
In the master's lodge is a curious original picture of Oliver Cromwell, who was educated here.
Besides the colleges mentioned above, another is about to be established, by the name of Downing College, in pursuance of the will of Sir George Downing, Bart. who bequeathed several valuable estates, in failure of the is sue of Sir Jacob Downing and his three sons, for the foundation of a college within the precincts of the uni versity of Cambridge, to be called by his own name. On the death of Sir Jacob, who survived all his children, in 1764, the validity of the original will was disputed by his lady and her relations, and was not finally settled un til 1800, when the great seal was affixed to the charter for the incorporation of the new college. The establish ment is to consist of a master, a professor of the laws of England, a professor of medicine, and 16 fellows.
'The master, professors, and four fellows, are already appointed, and considerable progress is made in the building, under that excellent architect, William Wil kins, Esq. It is to be of the purest Doric ; the princi
pal gateway to face the entrance to the town from Lon don. When completed on Mr Wilkins' plan, it will be at once an ornament and honour to the University.
In the description of these colleges, we have men tioned only the number of fellows, &c. which were ad mitted upon each foundation on its first establishment. These, however, have been greatly increased by subse quent benefactions ; and now amount to more than dou ble the original number. The following list contains the number of fellows and scholar-ships belonging to each society, and the number of members attending the university in 1802. Each college has a master or head, who, in King's College, is called provost, and in Queen's, president.
Those members, however, who arc resident in the uni‘ ersity during term, seldom exceed a thousand ; and besides the fellows and scholars, there arc also main tained upon the foundation about 230 inferior officers and servants.
The other buildings belonging to the university, are the senate-house, the library and schools, and the botanic garden. The senate-house, where all the public busi ness of the university is transacted, is a superb edifice of the Corinthian order, erected in 1722, from a design of Sir James Burrell. It occupies the north side of a grand square, which has St Mary's church on the east, the library on the west, and on the south an empty space, on which it is intended to erect a building, which is to correspond exactly with the senate-house, and coil the consistory, registrar's office, &c. This structure is built of Portland stone, and is decorated with pilasters and a handsome ballustradc. On the south and cast entrances arc elegant pediments, supported by four fluted Corinthian columns, with finely calved capitals. The interior of the building, which measures lug feet in length, 42 in breadth, and 32 in height, is ornamented with wainscots, carvings, and galleries of Norway oak; the ceiling is enriched with stucco work, which dis plays considerable taste, and the floor is laid with black and white marble in alternate squares. In the centre of the apartment, on the north wall, is a statue of George 1., executed by Ilysbrack ; and opposite is a statue of George II., by Wilton. An elegant statue of the late Duke of Somerset when young, by Ilysbrack, occupies the left side of the door at the east entrance; and on the right is an emblematical figure of Alma Mater, executed by Bo•otta, an Italian, and pre sented to the university by Sir Peter Burrell. On the scroll is inscribed : Cuncti Adsint, Meriterry. E.rpectent Peccmia. Palmce. " Let all be present, and expect the palin, the reward of merit." A statue of the late Mr Pitt, for which 70001. were raised by private subscription, is in the hands of Nolle kens, and to be placed here.