any changes took place [during the sixty-four year !) Presidency of Dr Routh (1754-1854)]. Honour examinations were instituted in Oxford, Magdalen being one of eight colleges which appeared on the first lists. In 1824 the north front and the south side of the cloister quad were rebuilt, the library restored and enlarged, and the New Buildings completed. In 1829 the chapel was restored and a monument in memory of the founder’s father placed in the oratory on the north side of the choir. In 1844 the new gateway, adjoining the porter’s lodge, was erected.
The limitation as to the number of commoners was removed, and in consequence of the rapid increase the quadrangle of St Swithun’s was built for their reception, and the college transformed from a small community consisting principally of members on the foundation into a large one, made up of the same elements as the other colleges. Magdalen names on the class lists gradually rose in number and position. Honour men became numerous, and the study of natural science assumed an importance un rivalled in any other college.
The New Library (at left) and St. Swithun's Building (1882, right) at the corner High Street and the corner of Longwall Street (at keft). Click on image to enlarge it.
Lastly the musical services greatly improved, although it was not till somewhat later, in the days of Sir John Stainer and Sir Walter Parratt, that they earned the reputation, ever since maintained, of being the best in England. The Emperor Alexander I. presented Dr Routh with the great silver-gilt salver, still in use. The Doctor was buried in the chapel in front of the altar.
The Deer Park, Magdalen College Oxford. Drawn by W. Matthison. Source: Artistic Colored Views of Oxford. Click on image to enlarge it.
Among the many famous names connected with Magdalen are: Sir Thomas Bodley, William Camden, the famous antiquarian, who was at one time a “poor scholar” in the grammar school, and is commemorated by a monument on the south wall of the ante-chapel; Charles Reade, Goldwin Smith, “ Christopher North,” Prince Christian Victor, the late Lord Selborne, etc. etc. . . .
Turning to the right as we leave Magdalen we go up the High a few yards and turn down Rose Lane on the left-hand side; this leads round Merton Fields into the Broad Walk , and we can enter Christ Church through the Meadow Build ings if it be term time , other wise we must continue into Si Aldates Street and enter through the gateway under the Tom Tower. [113-17]
Bibliography
Artistic Colored Views of Oxford Being Proof Sheets of the Postcards of Oxford. Illustrated by W. G. Blackall. Oxford: E. Cross, nd. Internet Archive version of a copy in St. Michael's College Toronto. 3 October 2012.
Lang, Elsie M. The Oxford Colleges. London: T. Werner. HathiTrust online version of a copy in the University of Michigan Library. Web. 8 November 2022.
Last modified 27 November 2022