Cambridge and Its CollegesThompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
History
Cambridge and Its Colleges
Thompson, A. Hamilton (Alexander Hamilton)
University of Cambridge
While the Gate of Virtue subordinates its ornament to general effect,
the last gate, the Gate of Honour, leading appropriately to the Senate
House and schools, attracts by beauty of detail. It was finished in 1574,
the year after Caius’ death, and its design, the heavy architrave with
an Ionic order, and the hexagonal, domed structure at the top, is purely
classical. It is the most charming building of its date in England, and
is a good instance of that love of mere fancy which marks the builders
of the late Italian Renaissance. Caius’ architect was a certain Theodore
Have of Cleves in the Rhenish provinces, who also remodelled the chapel
between this and Gonville’s court, and probably designed the sarcophagus
in which Caius is buried. The bell-tower of the chapel, which agrees
very well with the two gateways, is comparatively new. It is worth while
to enter the chapel, which, although, after numerous alterations, it is
of no particular date or style, has a very pleasant interior, and, in
addition to Caius’ monument, contains that of Dr Perse, the founder of
the Perse Free School in Cambridge. This excellent gentleman, who died in
1617, built most of the original entrance court of the college, in which
Caius’ Gate of Humility was incorporated. In Loggan’s beautiful view of
Caius, these buildings seem to have been of the same style as those in
the second court of St John’s College, the style of which Ralph Symons
built so many delightful examples in Cambridge. They belong to 1617. The
portion of this court south of the Gate of Humility was built in 1619, in
accordance with the will of a late master, Dr Legge.
In 1719, the older courts were faced and the chapel was newly decorated.
This work was continued at intervals through the century. Mr (afterwards
Sir James) Burrough was a fellow in these days, and was the leading
spirit in the work. The college remained untouched until the mastership
of the late Dr Guest. Then, in 1854, Salvin built the Hall, whose
exterior is as hideous as the interior, with its fine open timber roof,
is imposing and beautiful. In 1867 Mr Waterhouse entirely rebuilt
Perse’s court, and, in the following year, added an apse to the chapel.
His court has given a new feature to Cambridge, certainly. But, where
colleges are concerned, Mr Waterhouse is not happy, and this huge pile,
with its square windows, its pyramidal tower, medallions, and rows of
waterspouts, would make a praiseworthy bank or hotel, but, in its
present position, is painfully incongruous.
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Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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