some, and it will probably reach Oxford before us. From thence we proceeded through Great and Little Stukely to Huntingdon, the capital of the county, a moderate sized town, and neatly built, but declined from its former. greatness. It had the honour or the infamy, for I will not determine which, to produce Oliver Cromwell. It stands on the river Ouse, over which there are several commodious bridges. On the other side of the river lies Godmanchester, a large and populous place, principally supported by agriculture. It was incorporated by James I. who in his way from Scotland was met here by the in-habitants with seventy new ploughs, drawn by as many teams of horses, according to the tenure by which they hold their lands. Here we quitted the Ermin Street Way, or Great North Road, and passing through some unimportant places, arrived in sight of Cambridge. The approach is neither picturesque, nor is the effect striking to any great degree; yet I even enjoyed the dis appointment; for my native partiality for Oxford was gratified by the reflection, that though I was now entering its rival in every art and science, it could not be reputed its equal in local beauties. The colleges and public buildings, however, being less crowded here, appear to cover more ground, and in this respect I must candidly allow they possess an advantage over some of our finest buildings, which range with the line of the public streets. But I am describing this seat of the Muses before I have well entered it. I must reserve the lions of the place for another letter, convinced that you will be impatient to receive this, and to hear where we are. Adieu, my dear sister, adieu, and believe me ever most affection ately yours. THE morning after our arrival in Cambridge, having purchased the local guide, a practice which should never be omitted where any thing worthy of notice is to be seen, we sallied out under the direction of an old cicerone, to make the tour of the public buildings. The first object to which our attention. was directed, was the Senate House, a magnificent building of the Corinthian order, and standing in the middle of the town. Here the Members of the University meet on public occasions, and the place is worthy such an illustrious assembly. The public Library adjoins; and it is well filled with books; but in this respect. is by no means comparable to the Bodleian at Oxford. |