immenseness of wit and such a solidity of judgment in him, so
infinite a fancy, bound in by a most logical ratiocination, such a
vast knowledge that he was not ignorant in anything, yet such an
excessive humility as if he had known nothing, that they frequently
resorted and dwelt with him, as in a college situated in a purer air;
so that his house was a university in a less volume, whither they
came not so much for repose as study; and to examine and refine those
grosser propositions, which laziness and consent made current in
vulgar conversation."

The signs of the times grew darker. In 1636 the King and Queen
visited Oxford, "with no applause." In 1640 Laud sent the University
his last present of manuscripts. He was charged with many offences.
He had repaired crucifixes; he had allowed the "scandalous image" to
be set up in the porch of St. Mary's; and Alderman Nixon, the Puritan
grocer, had seen a man bowing to the scandalous image--so he
declared. In 1642 Charles asked for money from the colleges, for the
prosecution of the war with the Parliament. The beautiful old
college plate began its journey to the melting-pot. On August 9th
the scholars armed themselves. There were two bands of musqueteers,
one of pikemen, one of halberdiers. In the reign of Henry III. the
men had been on the other side. Magdalen bridge was blocked up with
heaps of wood. Stones, for the primitive warfare of the time, were
transported to the top of Magdalen tower. The stones were never
thrown at any foemen. Royalists and Roundheads in turn occupied the
place; and while grocer Nixon fled before the Cavaliers, he came back
and interceded for All Souls College (which dealt with him for figs
and sugar) when the Puritans wished to batter the graven images on
the gate. On October 29th the King came, after Edgehill fight, the
Court assembled, and Oxford was fortified. The place was made