of origin as humble as his own, were to receive a training in the best learning of the age; from these, the ablest were to be selected annually and sent to New College, with the enjoyment of such an income as would support them while studying philosophy and theology.  At present, after a year’s probation, youths at eighteen or nineteen become actual fellows, in enjoyment of an income varying from 190 to 250 pounds per annum, until such time as they marry or are provided with a college living.

“Wykeham laid the first stone of his new college on the 5th March 1380.  Being finished, the first warden and fellows took possession of it April 14, 1386, at three o’clock in the morning.”  The original buildings consist of the principal quadrangle, containing the hall, chapel, and library, the cloisters, and the tower.  Additions, quite out of keeping with the rich simplicity of the original design, were made by Sir Christopher Wren.  The chapel, first shorn of its ancient splendour by puritan zeal, and since restored in mistaken taste, is still one of the most beautiful edifices of the kind in England,—­perhaps in Europe.  Weeks of study will not satisfy or exhaust the true student of Gothic architecture here.  We trust that, sooner or later, some of the funds now spent on guttling and guzzling will be devoted to substituting facsimiles of ancient coloured glass for the painted mistakes of Sir Joshua Reynolds, and restoring the ancient glories of gilt and colour to the carved work.

If possible, the stranger should attend the service, when he will hear grand singing and accompanied by a magnificent organ.  The silver gilt crozier of Wykeham, formerly studded with rich gems, is one of the few relics of value preserved by New College.  Charles I. received the greater part of a rich collection of plate as a contribution to his military chest in the great civil war.  This crozier interests, for, gazing on it, we are carried back five centuries, when it was not a bauble made in Birmingham, but a symbol of actual power and superior intelligence.  The sceptre of a prince of a church which then absorbed almost all the intellect and all the learning of the age.  The garden with its archery-ground, and the “Slipe,” with its stables and kennels, complete what was meant to be a temple of sacred learning and active piety, but which has become a very Castle of Indolence, a sort of Happy Valley, for single men.  Winchester School still retains its ancient character for scholarship. (It is said to be almost impossible to “pluck” a Wykehamist); but the foundation has been grossly abused, the elected being not poor boys but the sons of wealthy clergymen and gentlemen, as indeed they had need be, for, by another abuse, the parents of boys on the foundation have to pay about 40 pounds a-year for their board.  But, when a boy, distinguished for diligence and ability among his fellows, has been, at eighteen or nineteen years, elected to a Fellowship of New College, his