Wren's second or alternative design, which was adopted, shows a lofty oblong room about one hundred and fifty feet long by thirty-eight feet broad supported on a colonnade. Several of his drawings for this were engraved for the _Architectural History of Cambridge_ by Willis and Clark, but the photographic reproductions of the originals--some with Wren's notes attached--which are now available have an interest of their own. A careful study will show details which were subsequently modified. The present library was placed to the west of the court as then built, and the rows of chambers on each side were extended to meet it. It is well-known that the shelves, cases, benches, tables, and book-rests now used were designed by Wren, and his drawings for them are reproduced in this series of photographs. The removal of all the bookcases except those fixed against the walls would enable us to judge the appearance intended by Wren. How fine the effect must have been, may be gathered from the plate in Le Keux's _Memorials_ or the engraving in the _University Almanack_ of 1852. Among Wren's plans is also one for "a Theatre or Commencement-House with a Library annexed, according to an Intention for the University of Cambridge, about the year 1678, but not executed." Whether this represents a sketch of the general plan which it is said that Barrow had suggested to the heads of Houses in 1675 it is impossible to say. The erection of a building on these lines might have been costly, but the result would have been a valuable addition to the architecture of Cambridge. I published in the _Trinity Magazine_ in 1914 the elevations of our library according to Wren's two plans and of his suggested Commencement or Senate House. I reprint these here (see above, pp. 145-148), but add nothing more as it is intended shortly to reproduce in book-form various drawings on the subject made by Wren. [Footnote 26: There was an earlier library in King's Hall but we do not know where it was situated.] CHAPTER IX. A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY IN 1319. In the Record Office in London are preserved some money accounts[27] concerned with a visit of the scholars of King's Hall to York at Christmas in the year 13 Edward II, that is, in 1319. The following analysis gives the route followed by one section of the party and the expenses of the journey: it is a valuable record of the method and cost of travelling in medieval times. By way of preamble, I may say that the origin of King's Hall is to be found in the establishment at Cambridge, in 1317, by Edward II, of a body of Scholars or King's Children; that they were regarded as part of the royal household; and that the nominations to the office of warden and to scholarships were reserved to the king. King's Hall was dissolved in 1546, and its buildings and property assigned by Henry VIII to Trinity College.