generation.'




CHAPTER IV.

FELLOWSHIP OF MERTON. 1852--1854.



In the summer of 1852 Coleridge Patteson stood for a fellowship of
Merton, obtained it, and moved into rooms there. Every college has a
distinctive character; and Merton, if not actually the eldest, is at
least one of the oldest foundations at Oxford, and is one of the most
unchanged in outward aspect. There is a peculiar charm in the beauty
and seclusion of the quadrangle, in the library, still mediaeval even
to the fittings; and the church is above all impressive in the
extraordinary loveliness of the early decorated architecture, and the
space and loftiness of the choir. The whole, pre-eminently among the
colleges, gives the sense of having been unaltered for five hundred
years, yet still full of life and vigour.

Coley attached himself to Merton, though he never looked to permanent
residence there. The Curacy in the immediate neighbourhood of his
home was awaiting him, as soon as he should be ordained; but though
his purpose was unchanged and he was of full age for Holy Orders, he
wished for another year of preparation, so as to be able to study
both Hebrew and theology more thoroughly than would be possible when
pastoral labour should have begun. What he had already seen of