A short way beyond the monument, across the park, is the little CHURCH and the CHURCHYARD, where Gray wrote the Elegy, and where he lies in the same tomb with his mother and aunt. The tomb, which is near the south-east window, is of plain brick, covered

with a slab of blue slate. A small tablet in the wall, under the window, opposite the tomb, records the fact that the poet is buried there. The inscription on the slab which covers the tomb was written by Gray, as follows: "In the vault beneath are deposited, in hope of a joyful resurrection, the remains of Mary Antrobus. She died unmarried, Nov. 5, 1749, aged 66. In the same pious confidence, beside her friend and sister, here sleep the remains of Dorothy Gray, widow; the tender, careful mother of many children, ONE of whom alone had the misfortune to survive her.

She died March 11, 1753, aged

67."

Gray's description of the churchyard

"Beneath those rugged elms, that yewtree's shade,

Where heaves the turf in many a

mouldering heap,"

is literal. The whole scene is impressive, and a visit to this quiet and beautiful spot will well repay the tourist, both by its intrinsic beauty, and its associations with poetry and the past.

ROUTE 42.

LONDON TO OXFORD.

STRATFORD-ON-AVON, WARWICK and KENILWORTH (including COVENTRY and BIRMINGHAM).

From London to Oxford, 63 miles, first class, 11s.; second, 8s. 4d.; third, 58. 3d. Return tickets, available for two days, first class 18s. 6d. ; second, 148. From London to Stratford-onAvon, 110 miles; first class, 20s. 10d.; second, 15s. 5d.; third, 98. 2d. Return tickets, available for two days, first class, 34s. 9d.; second, 258. 9d.

IN Excursion may be made from London to Stratford on Avon, Warwick, and Kenilworth, and back to London in a single day, but it would be impossible, in that .case, to see Oxford, or to take more than a cursory view of the objects of interest at the other places. In two days the tourist might make the same excursion, stopping at Oxford long enough to visit two or three of the Colleges (Christ Church, New, and Magdalen recommended), and going on to Stratford by Leamington. Stratford may be reached early enough to allow a visit to the chief objects of interest in the same afternoon. The most convenient way of reaching Warwick and Kenil worth is by carriage from Stratford (the proprietor of the Shakespeare Inn furnishes comfortable carriages at reasonable rates) to Warwick, where the castle and other objects of interest may be visited in an hour or two, and continuing on to Kenilworth, where there is

a station of the London and North Western Railway, from which Coventry, Birmingham, and the north and west, or Rugby and London in the other direction, may be easily reached. The ruins of the Castle are a mile from the railway station. It is better to direct the coachman to drive directly to the Castle, and to wait at the entrance until the ruins are visited, and then convey the traveller to the station. A local railway is completed from Kenilworth to Leamington, where trains may be found for any point in England.

Leaving London by the Paddington Station, we pass, on the right, Kensal Green cemetery, and, shortly after, on the left, Hanwell (7 miles), where we observe the handsome buildings of the Middlesex Lunatic Asylum. Near Langley (16 miles), is Rich ing's Lodge, formerly the residence of Pope. We pass Slough (18 miles), leaving the towers of Windsor Castle on the left, and, proceeding through a beautiful and richly-wooded country, through READING (353 miles) and other places of no special interest, arrive at OXFORD (634 miles.) (Hotels: see "HOTEL LIST").

Oxford is a pleasant city, situated near the confluence of the Isis with the Cherwell. It is chiefly interesting as being the most ancient existing seat of classical learning in England, its origin being too remote to be traced with certainty, though tradition ascribes its foundation to Alfred the Great. The University contains 19 Colleges and 5 Halls, each of which has a separate administration, though governed by the statutes of the University, and the rules prescribed by the founder, so far as they are adapted to modern usages. The Colleges are maintained by the estates

attached to their foundation, or devoted by benefactors to the purpose. The Halls, not being corporate bodies, have their property held in trust for them by the University authorities in their corporate capacity. University College claims to be the oldest, dating its foundation back as far as 872, Balliol and Merton Colleges coming next in order, and dating from the 13th century. The general plan of all these buildings is much the same, forming a hollow quadrangle, with the apartments of the stu dents ranged around and within it. The degrees conferred are those of Bachelor and Master of Arts; Bachelor and Doctor of Music; and in the Faculties of Civil Law, Medicine, and Divinity. By recent legislation it is no longer necessary that the student should belong to any particular College or Hall, and it is at present contemplated to throw open to dissenters from the Established Church of England the scholarships and fellowships which have hitherto been restricted to menbers of that communion.

be

There are four terms in the year, Michaelmas, Hilary, Easter, and Trinity; the two first may kept by a residence of six, and the two latter by a residence of three weeks each. Twelve terms' residence are required for the degree of B.A., except in the case of peers, their sons, and other privileged persons for whom eight terms are sufficient, if matriculated as such. A Bachelor of Arts may proceed to his M. A. degree in his 27th term, if privileged, in his 23d.

The Professorships, of which there are many, are supported either from the University funds, grants from the Crown, or their private endowments.

It is presumed that most tourists will be content with a visit