"Ramsey, the rich of gold and of fee, Thorney, the flower of many a fair tree, Crowland, the courteous of their meat and drink, Spalding, the gluttons, as all men do think, Peterborough the proud, as all men do say, Sawtrey, by the way, that old abbey, Gave more alms in one day than all they." [Illustration: 0185] It maybe doubted whether in any part of the world four such cathedrals can be found in the same compass as Lincoln, Peterborough, Ely, and Norwich. And it is certain that with the single and doubtful exception of Oxford, no such magnificent collection of collegiate edifices exists as those of Cambridge. "That long street which, beginning from the Trumpington Road, skirts the magnificent Fitzwilliam Museum and the Pitt Press; which passes by ancient Peterhouse and quaint St. Catherine on one side; which is there known as King's Road and fronts the glories of King's College, the Senate House, the Library, and Caius College; which then in a darkening and narrow street, almost a very gorge, skirts the old historic gateways of Trinity and St. John's, and afterwards emerges past the chapel which is the latest architectural glory of Cambridge, opposite the venerable round church and near the new buildings of the Union--certainly in its long broken wavering line, this street may enter into formidable competition with the High Street of Oxford or any of the streets of the world. [Illustration: 0186] There are, moreover, several distinct features in which Cambridge is unsurpassable. The wide silent old court of Trinity, with its babbling fountain; the glorious structure of King's College; above all, that exquisite scenery, a composition made up of many varying beauties known as the "backs of the colleges are separate features to which Oxford can hardly offer a parallel. As an Oxford poet has said:-- "Ah me! were ever river banks so fair, Gardens so fit for nightingales as these? Were ever haunts so meet for summer breeze, Or pensive walk in evening's golden air? Was ever town so rich in court and tower To woo and win stray moonlight every hour?" * * From Oxford and Cambridge, their Memories and Associations. Religious Tract Society. [Illustration: 0188] Among the cities of East Anglia, Norwich claims special mention. Though a local couplet declares that-- "Caistor was a city when Norwich was none. And Norwich was builded with Caistor stone." [Illustration: 8189]