The Cambrian Tourist, or, Post-Chaise Companion through Wales: 1828

This book is a tourist guide that settles on Oxford as a central location from which to embark on a Tour to either North or South Wales, and to which transportation is now established from all regions of England and Scotland. And, if the Tourist's undertaking is begun early in the season, he has plenty of time to enjoy it, and he will have the best chance of seeing this seat of learning and nursery of the arts; the elegant piles of buildings that Oxford exhibits, the stores of learned wealth that it possesses, and the beautiful paintings that adorn its halls and colleges, are all described so cheaply and thoroughly in the Oxford Guides, that to attempt to do so in this work would be impossible. In the summer, the Bodleian or University Library, one of Europe's largest, as well as the Picture Gallery, are open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 3 to 5 p.m.; in the winter, only until 3 p.m. On the north side of the Schools, the Arundel marbles are housed in a huge room. The famed Radcliffe Library, a splendid edifice with a gorgeous dome, is located south of the Schools in a lovely setting. Even if only to see the painting of our Saviour wearing his cross, said to be painted by Guido, St. Mary Magdalene College in the city's east end, along the Cherwell River, is well worth a visit.