newly-founded College at Oxford. Chichele's promotion in the church was rapid; and, as was generally the case with churchmen of talent, at a period in which laymen seldom received such an education as to fit them for becoming statesmen, he was much employed by his royal masters in affairs of legisla tion, and in diplomatic negociations.

In 1407 he was sent by King Henry IV. on an embassy to the Popes, who at Sienna consecrated him Bishop of St. David's. Hence he was translated to the metropolitan see of Canterbury, over which, during the long period of twenty-nine years, he presided with singular dignity and ability. Equally prudent and spirited, he ever shewed himself a judicious guardian of the interests of the church, as well as a firm supporter of the rights of her ministers: although favourable to the spiritual authority of the Bishop of Rome, he uniformly opposed their temporal usurpations. He nevertheless received the offer of a Cardinal's hat, but declined to accept it; and, after a long, active, and useful life, had just petitioned for a release from the oppressive cares of his high office, when it pleased the Almighty to release him at once from every earthly care. He died 1443, and was interred on the north side of the choir of his cathedral church. Besides founding the College of All Souls, he established and supported in this city the Hospital of St. Bernard; afterwards, through additional bounty, converted into the College of St. John.

In the picture which has drawn from us this biographical sketch, the Archbishop is repre

s Besides the embassy to Pope Gregory XII. the Archbishop was employed in two other papal missions, and was thrice sent ambassador to the court of France.

sented standing under a canopy, and receiving from the architect a plan of the street-front of his College. The dull bluish colour of the piece has an unpleasing effect; but the drawing is good, the attitudes of the several figures are easy and spirited, and their countenances generally expres

sive.

The first benefit which Chichele conferred upon Oxford was the founding, in 1436, of a College, dedicated to St. Bernard, for scholars of the Cistertian order'; having completed which, the Archbishop, whose first intentions had not perhaps extended beyond what he had now achieved, happily resolved to follow the example of Wykeham, (and he was the first who did so,) in promoting the advancement of learning, by founding a College for secular students, on a liberal and extensive plan. Pursuant to this resolution, he began to make the necessary purchases of tenements and of ground for a site; having completed which, the foundation-stone was solemnly laid on the 10th of February, 1437. In seven years the buildings were completed, at the expence, including books and other College requisites, of 43021. 3s. Sd." By the charter, in which, at Chichele's request, King Henry VI. assumed the title of Founder, the Society was to consist of

t See our account of St. John's College, and of the religious foundations in Oxford before the dissolution.

u The wages of the workmen, who were the most skilful that could be procured, were as follows:

Master carpenter . . . .

3s. 4d. per week.

Image makers and carvers. 4s. 8d. ditto, besides bed and board.
The windows were glazed at 1s, per foot.

E

a Warden and twenty Fellows, the latter of whom might be increased to forty. Of these, sixteen were to study the civil and canon law; the remainder philosophy, the arts, and theology*.

Over this picture is a large one by Sir James Thornhill, representing the Finding of the Law, and king Josiah rending his robe3.

On the opposite side of the Hall is a bust which the antiquarian tourist will regard with peculiar interest, when he finds that it represents the " accu"rate Leland," as that eminent topographer is emphatically styled. This accomplished antiquary was one of the brightest stars in our literary he misphere, during the reign of the Eighth Harry; who, although not handed down to us as a distinguished patron of letters or of learned men, bestowed upon Leland encouragement of the most liberal kind. The admirable work which, under that monarch's auspices, Leland began and completed, is well known; a work which, if due allowance be made for the quaint phraseology of the age, will be found no less elegant than accurate. As a faithful record of the condition of towns, the state of property, and the appearance of the country, at the time in which it was written, it cannot be too highly estimated. It is a fountain from which all succeeding topographers and tourists have drawn so plenteously, that we question whether there be in the whole Itinerary a dozen

x By a clause in this charter, the Society were empowered to buy lands to the annual value of 300%. a sum much greater than had ever before been allowed to any foundation. Charters, however, granted by Charles I. and George II, have increased the Society's power of making purchases to 10507. per annum, y 2 Kings xxii. 11.