The method of associating for the attainment of any end, is so striking a feature of our time, that we are disposed to imagine it peculiar to ourselves. But this notion does some wrong to antiquity. This very point of association forms one link in a connected view of modern and ancient times.

One species of modern societies, the benefit clubs, seems to have had a prototype in the ancient gild. This name had its origin in the Saxon verb signifying to pay; and was applied to confraternities or bandships, made upon a religious basis and composed of nobility laity and their female relations. Having the patronage of some great man, the members wore a badge which was first defensive and later became offensive, for instance, a stout staff or club: and with these they were bound to defend or offend respectively those who were friends or foes of the fraternity. It is this duty that is signified by a custom yet lingering in the halls of some of our Colleges, which is for the two next in the progress of the cup down the table from one side to the other to be on their legs while the one who holds the cup is drinking to the toast. Numerous notices of these gilds lie scattered in topographical works. The statutes of several are preserved; and they supply some curious hints as to the character of these bodies.

The distinctions of person among the members of the University depend upon the different degrees: the manner of arriving at these forms is a subject by itself. Colleges also have (as it might be expected) their distinctions, possessing the same general character in all, though there may be some particular variations.

In the attempt to comprehend the nature of the internal economy of a College, a stranger will find himself involved in a maze of technical language perplexed in no slight degree by the mystifications of time, which the antiquarian alone can unravel; of those even that are passing through the course, the great proportion are content with understanding the directions given to them, without enquiring into their origin. Most men, in most matters, are engrossed with the present, neither looking backward into the practice of antiquity, nor forward into the effects and consequences of present action: and in many instances this conduct may be commendable or at least convenient; yet the retrospect has advantages and satisfactions. Two points will here engage our attention; the classification of the members, and the course of study.

The entry or admission is the first step in the Student's connexion with the University: the form of enrolment will be seen presently. The terms ‘sub tutelâ’, ‘sub fide jussore’, ‘pro eo fide jubet’, ‘pro eo spondet’, imply the responsibility of the Fellow named for the payment of the Student's dues to the College.

This legend lived long in the popular notion that a spirit walked that scene. An indefatigable antiquary has preserved some historical notice, which tends to an explanation of the origin of the name.

“In a quaint book by Bishop Hall, in 8vo. printed by Edward Blount and William Barrett, called the Discovery of a New World or a Description of the South Indies, with this running title, The description of Tenter-Belly, and subscribed the Cambridge Pilgrim, at p. 44, is this :—

‘A Giant called All Paunch, who was of an incredible Height of Body, not like him whose Picture the Schollers of Cambridge goe to see at Hogmagog Hills, but rather like him that ought the two Aple Teeth which were digged out of a well in Cambridge, that were little lesse than a man's head.’

“When I was a boy, about 1724, I remember my Father or Mother, as it happened I went with one or other of them to Cambridge, the road from Baberham there lying through the Camp, (now blocked up by the house and gardens inclosed in it of my Lord Godolphin) always used to stop and show me and my Brother and Sisters the figure of the giant carved on the Turf; concerning whom there were then many traditions, now worn away. What became of the two said Teeth I never heard.”

There are many favourable points of view for this fine structure, standing, as it does, higher than the general level of the country. Besides those presented in the different drawings in this work, there are views from the distant eminences, which are particularly fine, in which the broad bosom of the Potomac forms the background. The effect of the building is also remarkably imposing when the snow is on the ground, and the whole structure, rising from a field of snow, with its dazzling whiteness, looks like some admirable creation of the frost. All architecture, however, is very much improved by the presence of a multitude of people, and the Capitol looks its best on the day of inauguration. The following description, written after viewing the ceremony of Mr. Van Buren's induction into office, will give an idea of the effect of this solemnity on the architecture:—

“The sun shone out of heaven without a cloud on the inaugural morning. The air was cold, but clear and life-giving, and the broad avenues of Washington for once seemed not too large for the thronging population. The crowds who had been pouring in from every direction for several days before, ransacking the town for but a shelter from the night, were apparent on the spacious side walks, and the old campaigners of the winter seemed but a thin sprinkling among the thousands of new and strange faces.[…]

Congress Hall has for many years held the palm of fashion among the rival Hotels of Saratoga. It is an immense wooden caravanserai, with no pretensions to architecture beyond what is seen in the drawing, and built with the sole view of affording the average accommodations of packed herrings to an indefinite number of persons. The roominess and liberal proportions of the Colonnade are one of those lies of architecture common to the hotels of this country. The traveller passes from the magnificent promise of the outside, to a chamber ten feet by four, situated in a remote gallery, visited once a day by the “boots” and chambermaid. His bed, chair, and wash-stand, resemble those articles as seen in penitentiaries; and if he chance to be ill at night, he might die like a Pagan, “without bell or candle.” The arrangements of the house are, of necessity, entirely gregarious. A bell rings at half-past seven in the morning, at which every body who intends to breakfast, must get up; another bell at eight, to the call of which, if he prefers hot omelette to cold, he must be punctual. Dinner and tea exact the same promptitude; and the latter, which in other countries is a thing of no circumstance or importance, becomes, where you dine at two, a meal not willingly missed.

King's College was founded A.D. 1441, by Henry the Sixth. It was at first only intended for a Rector and twelve Scholars; but the foundation was remodelled in 1443, so as to consist of a Provost, seventy Fellows and Scholars, and ten Conducts, together with choristers and inferior officers. The ten Conducts are now merged into one; and with this exception the constitution of the college remains the same as it was in the founder's time. About 1446, Eton College was founded for seventy Scholars who were to supply the vacant scholarships at King's as they occurred. This practice still continues; and every year an election is held at Eton at the end of July, when the candidates for the King's scholarships at Eton are elected, and the vacancies at King's College filled up from Eton. The electors are the Provost and two Fellows of King's, called Posers, on the part of Cambridge, and, on the part of Eton, the Provost, Vice-Provost, and Head Master of that foundation. Eton Scholars are superannuated at the election after passing their nineteenth year; if not then elected they lose the power of becoming members of King's College. The first three years at King's are called years of probation, at the end of which the Scholar, if approved, is admitted to a Fellowship. The elections in both cases are made by seniority, without any reference to the merits of the candidates, though there is the form of an examination at Eton at the time of election.

COLLEGIUM SIVE DOMUS SIVE AULA DE CLARE.

This College was originally founded, A. D. 1326, by Richard Badew, at that time Chancellor of the University, who having purchased two houses situated in a street called Mylne-Street, from Nigel Thornton a physician, annexed them to the University under the name of University Hall. He appointed a Principal and several pensionary Scholars, but seems to have neglected the important step of providing them with funds for the maintenance of their College; for we find that they lived for twelve years at their own expense; when one of them being in favour with Elizabeth de Burgh, Countess of Clare, persuaded her to become a benefactor to his College, the building belonging to which had recently been destroyed by fire. This Lady on the resignation of Walter Thaxted, the Principal, with the consent of Richard Badew the original founder, having obtained a charter from Edward III., in the 12th year of that king's reign, A. D. 1338-9, entirely rebuilt the College, settled funds for the maintenance of its members, renovated its constitution and altered its former designation to that of Clare Hall. It is asserted by some that these benefits were conferred by Elizabeth, the daughter of the Duke of Gloucester in the 36th of Edward III., at which time the Aula was again consumed by fire, and she as well as many other patrons of learning contributed their aid to its re-establishment.

These celebrated springs rise in a valley formed by a branch of the Kayaderosseras Creek. In this valley, and on its acclivities, is built the village called Ballston Spa. The medicinal character of the waters was discovered (as was said of Saratoga) by the beaten track of the deer to the springs at certain seasons. Ballston is now a populous village during the summer, and, since the rail-road has connected it with Saratoga, these two resorts have become like one, and, together, assemble, during certain months, the greater proportion of the moving population of the country. A description of the kind of life led at these springs accompanies another drawing in this Series.

At the time of the breaking out of the revolutionary war this part of the country was very thinly settled. The inhabitants for the most part took the continental side; but at the battle of Hoosac, a few miles from Ballston, a man was taken prisoner by the Americans, whose history exhibits some fine traits of character. He was a plain farmer from this neighbourhood, named Richard Jackson, and had conscientiously taken the British side in the contest. Feeling himself bound of course to employ himself in the service of his sovereign, he no sooner heard that Colonel Baum was advancing, than he saddled his horse and rode to Hoosac, intending to attach himself to this corps. Here he was taken, in such circumstances as proved his intention beyond every reasonable doubt.

The circumstance of the Fitzwilliam Museum having become the depository of three autograph letters of Oliver Cromwell, which will be printed for the first time in this Portfolio, has suggested an investigation into the incidents which connected his history with the University and Town of Cambridge.

The letters are preserved in a thin 4to. volume, and are preceded by an account of their discovery and of the manner in which they were placed in the Museum, and are accompanied by several comments. The whole contents of this volume, being in MS., will be transcribed and submitted to the reader, with a few additions to the comments; and the above-mentioned investigation will form a sequel. The reader shall be detained from the perusal of them, only while he is requested to commend and cherish that public spirit or enlarged view of the duties of a member of the Commonwealth, which prompts individuals to deposit articles of national interest in libraries or museums of general resort and reference rather than in private cabinets.

TRES EPISTOLÆ AUTOGRAPHÆ QUEIS ‘TEMPUS EDAX RERUM’ PEPERCIT

Sing-sing is famous for its marble, of which there is an extensive quarry near by; for its State prison, of which the discipline is of the most salutary character; and for its academy, which has a high reputation. It may be said, altogether, to do the State some service.

The county of West Chester, of which this is the principal village on the Hudson, has been made the scene of, perhaps, the best historical novel of our country, and, more than any other part of the United States, suffered from the evils of war. The character and depredations of the “cow-boys” and “skinners,” whose fields of action were on the skirts of this neutral ground, are familiar to all who have read “the Essay” of Mr. Cooper. A distinguished clergyman gives the following very graphic picture of West Chester county in those days:—

“In the autumn of 1777, I resided for some time in this county. The lines of the British were then in the neighbourhood of Kingsbridge, and those of the Americans at Byram river. The unhappy inhabitants were, therefore, exposed to the depredations of both. Often they were actually plundered, and always were liable to this calamity. They feared every body whom they saw, and loved nobody. It was a curious fact to a philosopher, and a melancholy one to hear their conversation.[…]

The broad open lands, or intervals, as they are called in this country, which border upon the Connecticut, contain some of the most sunny and fertile pictures of cultivation to be found on our continent. From the mouth of the river up to its rise beyond the White Mountains, it is gemmed with beautiful rural towns, many of them among the first in our country for prosperity, neatness, and cultivated society.

The history of these towns presents some of the bloodiest traits marked on the early settlements of New England. The event which gave the name to Bloody Brook, a small village near the southern extremity of Dresfield, is among many sanguinary records of the difficulties and dangers of the first settlers in this valley.

For a considerable number of years the inhabitants of the valley had lived in as perfect harmony with the Indians among whom they had settled, as was possible, with the great difference between their characters, principles, and pursuits. They had purchased their lands at an equitable price, and in all their transactions with them had observed the strictest equity and humanity. This state of tranquillity was only disturbed by the wide-spreading intrigues of the bold sachem, Philip, whose discernment, comprehensiveness of views, and admirable address, entitle him to the first rank of superiority among the aborigines known in our history.