The tower contains the celebrated _Magnus Thomas_, recast from the great bell of Osney abbey, by whose deep note at the hour of nine in the evening the students are summoned to their respective colleges. The upper part of the tower displays in the bracketed canopies and carved enrichments the skilful hand of Sir Christopher Wren, whose fame was much enhanced by the erection of the gorgeous turrets which project on each side of the gateway.{1} Not caring to endure a closer attack of the _togati_, who had now approached me, I crossed and entered the great quadrangle, or, according to Oxford phraseology, _Tom Quad_. The irregular nature of the buildings here by no means assimilate with the elegance of the exterior entrance. 1 It was here, in Lord Orford's opinion, that he "caught the graces of the true Gothic taste." [Illustration: page131] ~131~~ The eastern, northern, and part of the southern sides of the quadrangle are, I have been since informed, inhabited by the dean and canons; the western by students. The broad terrace in front of the buildings, the extent of the arena, and the circular basin of water in the centre, render this an agreeable promenade.--I had almost forgotten the deity of the place (I hope not symbolical), a leaden Mercury{2}; the gift of Dr. John Radcliffe, which rises from the centre of the basin, on the spot where once stood the sacred cross of St. Frideswide, and the pulpit of the reformer, Wickliffe. 2 Since pulled down and destroyed. THE DINNER PARTY. Bernard Blackmantles Visit to Tom Echo---Oxford Phraseology- Smuggled Dinners--A College Party described--Topography of a Man's Boom--Portrait of a Bachelor of Arts--Hints to Freshmen--Customs of the University. ~132~~ "When first the freshman, bashful, blooming, young, Blessings which here attend not handmaids long, Assumes that cap, which franchises the man, And feels beneath the gown dilate his span; When he has stood with modest glance, shy fear, And stiff-starch'd band before our prime vizier, And sworn to articles he scarcely knew, And forsworn doctrines to his creed all new: Through fancy's painted glass he fondly sees Monastic turrets, patriarchal trees, The cloist'ral arches' awe-inspiring shade, The High-street sonnetized by Wordsworth's jade, His raptured view a paradise regards, Nurseling of hope! he builds on paper cards." On the western side of Tom Quad, up one flight of stairs, by the porter's aid I discovered the battered oaken door which led to the _larium_ of my friend Echo: that this venerable bulwark had sustained many a brave attack from besiegers was visible in the numerous bruises and imprints of hammers, crowbars, and other weapons, which had covered its surface with many an indented scar. The utmost caution was apparent in the wary scout,{1}