THE NEW CAMBRIDGE GUIDE, &c. &c. HAVING endeavoured to give as comprehenfive an account of the University Customs, &c. as the limits of our work would allow, we now proceed to defcribe the Public Buildings, Colleges, &c. beginning with those belonging to the Univerfity in general, and proceeding to the feveral colleges, in the order of their foundation, and shall conclude our little tract with a concife and accurate account of the Town and County of Cambridge; and with a lift of articles of univerfal utility, as well to thofe refident in the place, as to ftrangers who pay it a curfory vifit. As the colleges are arranged in the order of their foundation, and not of their fituation, it may be neceffary to premise that the whole may be seen in one walk, without unneceffary lofs of time, by beginning at the Senate-Houfe, Library, St. Mary's Church, &c. and thence proceeding to the colleges nearest; to which a stranger may be guided by the PLAN at the beginning of the book. Thofe ftrangers who would view the different objects with the greatest despatch, are recommended to take with them a fervant from the Inn; who will not only be useful in leading the way, but also in feeking the perfon who is to fhew the next place, while the company are viewing a for mer one. THE SENATE-HOUSE Is, both on account of its importance and its fituation, the first object that claims our attention. It is fituated about the middle of Trumpington-ftreet, and forms the north fide of an intended fquare; three fides being all that are yet completed. The weft fide confifts of the Public Library and Schools; and on the east fide is St. Mary's Church, which is separated from the fquare by the street, and an iron railing on a dwarf stone wall; and on the fouth of this noble quadrangle, immediately oppofite the Senate-Houfe, it is intended to erect a building exactly correfponding with it, which is to contain the Confiftory, Registrar's Office, &c. The Senate-Houfe, which is a superb ftructure, was built by James Gibbs, the architect of the new building of King's College, and was begun June 22, 1722. It is an elegant building of Portland ftone, of the Corinthian order, ornamented with a range of pilafters fupporting the entablature, &c. between two rows of fash windows, and an elegant ftone baluftrade furrounding the fammit. In the middle of the grand front, next the fquare, is a magnificent triangular pediment, fupported by four fluted Corinthian columns, the capitals of which are finely carved; under this pediment is an entrance afcended by a flight of fteps, though it is not ufed as fuch, the ufual entrance being at the eaft end, where is another pediment fupported by columns and correfponding with the one on the fouth. On entering this fuperb edifice, one is ftruck with the effect it produces : its dimenfions are (within fide) 101 feet long, 42 broad, and 32 high; and on the first view its proportions are ftrikingly just; it is elegantly ornamented with wainscots, carvings, and galleries of Norway Oak, which has greatly the appearance of mahogany. The gallery at the caft end, over the entrance, is fupported by four fluted Doric columns of the fame beautiful wood; and at the upper end are four fimilar columns fup porting a triangular pediment, beautifully carved; under which, and raised on steps, is the Vice-Chancellor's chair; on each fide of which are circular feats for the Heads, Noblemen, and Doctors; beyond these fit the Regents, or White Hoods; and below them the Non Regents or Black Hoods. In the corner, on the right hand of the chair, is a small robing room for the Doctors, and on the left a private staircase to ascend the gallery. On each fide the entrance is a fimilar staircafe leading also to the gallery; into which, ladies and gentlemen are admitted when degrees are conferred, and on all public occafions. This gallery is supposed capable of containing 1,100 perfons. The ceiling is beautifully and richly ornamented with Stucco work, executed with much taste ; and the floor is of black and white marble in alternate squares. In the middle of the apartment, on the north fide, is a fine ftatue of King George I. by Rysbrack: it was erected at the expence of Lord Viscount Townshend, who dying before it was finished, it was completed by his fon. On the pedestal are infcriptions to that effect. Oppofite this, on the fouth fide, is a ftatue of King George II. by Wilton, which has the following lines on the bafe of the pedestal: GEORGIO Secundo Patrono fuo, optime merenti, In Pace et in Bella Quod Academiam Cantabrigienfem Fovit, auxit, ornavit ; Hanc Statuam, Eternum, faxit Deus, Monumentum Grati animi in Regem, Pietatis in Patriam, Amoris in Academiam, Suis Sumptibus, poni curavit, Dux de Newcastle, "TO GEORGE THE SECOND, his moft deferving and most respected patron, for having governed a willing people, with the greatest justice, humanity, and fuccefs, both in Peace and War; for having cherished, augmented, and adorned the University of Cambridge; THIS STATUE (may it please God to let it ftand as a perpetual monument of his gratitude to the King, of his dutiful affection to the Country, and of his love to the University;) was erected at the expence of THOMAS HOLLES, Duke of Newcastle, and Chancellor of the Uuiverfity, in the year 1766.” At the east end (on each fide the entrance,) are two other Statues the one on the fouth fide represents the late Duke of Somerset, when young, dreffed in the Vandyke taste, with the enfigns of the order of the garter. It was executed by Ryfbrack, and is univerfally esteemed a fine piece of sculpture. The Duke is represented leaning on a pedestal, in a remarkably graceful and easy posture, and holding out a roll in his right hand. The following infcription is engraved in capitals on the front of the pedestal: CAROLO Strenuo juris Academici Defenfori Statuam, Lectiffimarum Matronarum Munus L. M. ponendam decrevit Per annos plus fexaginta Cancellarius. |