Portrait and Landscape Photographer. Melvin, William, 161 Cowley road Picture Frame Maker and Gilder. Smith, T., 38 St. Ebbe's street, and 3a Queen street Plumber. Tibbetts, James, 3 New road Printer. Alden, Henry, 35 Corn-Market st., & 20 New-Inn-Hall st. Alden, H., "Illustrated Monthly Journal," &c., 35 Corn- Taylor, S. W., 6 & 7 Ship street School Stationery Warehouse. Alden, H., 35 Corn-Market street Sewing Machine Agent. Boon, J., 1 Elm cottages, Bulwark's lane THE DAY OF GENERAL THANKSGIVING for the recovery of the Prince of Wales was marked in Oxford by the almost universal closing of places of business. Probably through delay or indecision on the part of the local authorities, or perhaps for some more cogent reason, no special arrangement was made for a public celebration of the general rejoicing. At the eleventh hour, however, -we believe at the suggestion of a worthy aldermanan announcement was made that the usual morning service at the Cathedral would be adapted for the occasion, and rendered special by the official presence of the Mayor and Corporation. Late as the notice was given (the preceding evening) the Cathedral of Christ Church was thronged at an early hour by many hundreds of our fellow-citizens of every religious denomination, who appeared very heartily to enjoy the opportunity afforded them of uniting in a public expression of the universal thankfulness to Almighty God for the mercies vouchsafed to our nation. The usual procession into the Cathedral was joined by the Mayor, Sheriff, Aldermen, and most of the Town Councillors, in their robes of office,the Mayor taking his seat next to the Vice-Chancellor, and the other members of the Corporation also occupying stalls in the choir. The anthem selected was the old German chorale "Let all men praise the Lord," as adapted by Mendelssohn in the "Hymn of Praise;" the genera anksgiving and the special prayer were most feelingly read by the Vice-Chancellor (Dean Liddell) and the service was concluded by the singing of the beautiful hymn composed for the service at St. Paul's. Atnight some attempt was made at illumination; Queen's College in particular distinguishing itself by an effective display of festoons of Chinese lanterns from the cupola to the two wings, and a very respectable exhibition of fireworks. Long will the 27th of February, 1872, be remembered by the nation; and we would fain believe and hope that the prayer so well expressed in the "Thanksgiving Hymn may be realised to the full :— "Bless Thou our adoration, Our gladness sanctify; Make this rejoicing nation To Thee by joy more nigh; O be this great Thanksgiving Throughout the land we raise, Wrought into holier living In all our after days!" On page 14 we give some particulars of the ceremonial observed on a somewhat similar occasion of national thanksgiving in the reign of George III., which will be read with interest at the present time. THE members of the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society and their friends, to the number of about 100, visited Magdalen College on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 20th. They were met in the hall by the Rev. Dr. Millard, vicar of Basingstoke, who gave a brief history of the College, pointing out its principal architectural features, and subsequently conducted the party over the building. Engravings with descriptions of this College and its customs, have already appeared in this Journal; and we purpose next month to give soine further interesting particulars, gleaned from the Architectural Society's visit, illustrated with an engraving of the West front of the College from the first quadrangle, or court of St. John the Baptist. LOCAL EXAMINATIONS, in connection with the Science and Art Department of the Committee of Council on Education, will be held in this city, in the months of April and May next, commencing on the 25th of April. Any persons, not being students in the Oxford School of Science and Art, may present themselves for examination, provided they apply to the Local Secretaries, on or before the 26th of March. BLENHEIM PALACE and Gardens will be open to the public until further notice. Hours of admission to the palace, from 11 a. n. to 1 p.m., and to the Gardens, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (in each week) except Good Friday. Tickets of admission can be had only at the porter's lodge at the entrance to the palace. THE LENTEN SERMONS. THE general subject of the sermons during this season in St. Mary's and St. Giles's churches is "The Life of the Soul: its dangers and safeguards." The Wednesday evening sermons consist of two series by two preachers. In St. Mary-the-Virgin's, the following subjects are taken by the Rev. C. W. Furse: Feb. 14th.-The Life of the Baptized, as God wills it to be 21st. The Soul in the Sleep of Sin. 28th.-The Awakening of the Soul. March 6th.-The Freedom of a Soul forgiven. 13th.-Growth in Holiness through Union with God. 20th. The Danger of Relapse. In St. Giles's, by the Rev. R. W. Randall :Feb. 14th.-The End for which Man was created. 21st.-Sin. 28th.-Death. March 6th.-The Soul after Death. 13th.-The Love of God for us. The Friday evening services are as follows : Feb. 16th.-Prayer; in St. Mary's, by The Bishop of Oxford; in St. Giles's, by Rev. T. B. Buchanan. Feb. 23rd.-Fasting; in St. Mary's, by Rev. W. H. Hutchings; in St. Giles's, by Rev. R. M. Benson. March 1st.-Almsgiving; in St. Mary's, by Rev. Canon Woodford; in St. Giles's, by Rev. W. Romanis. March 8th.-Preparation for Holy Communion; in St. Mary's, by Rev. Canon Ashwell; in St. Giles's, by Rev. Canon King. March 15th.--Devotional Use of Holy Scripture; in St. Mary's, by Rev. Dr. Miller; in St. Giles's, by Rev. Canon How. March 22nd.-Holy Living; in St. Mary's, by Ven. Archdeacon Pickersteth; in St. Giles's, by Rev. Canon Fremantle. The Services commence each Evening at Eight o'clock. See numbers for March, 1870, and May, 1871. IFFLEY, NEAR OXFORD. THE ancient village of Iffley is most picturesquely situated on the slopes rising from the Oxfordshire bank of the Isis. The long village street from several points commands beautiful views of river, hills and woods; beyond which the towers, domes, and spires of Oxford stand in bold relief against the sky. The beauty and salubrity of its situation, with its proximity to Oxford, combine to render Iffley a favourite residence and resort. Its attractions in the rowing season are heightened by the fact that the college racing "eights" have their starting-place here: and indeed the river between Iffley and Oxford is during the summer months alive with craft of every description, from the outrigger sculling-boat to the heavy house-boats, laden with pleasure parties bound for Nuneham or some intermediate spot. The learned author of the Memorials of Oxford gives from sundry ancient sources a long list of various spellings of the name of this village: Givetelei, Iveteleg, Yvetele, Yftele, Iftele, Ziftele, Eiffley, and Ifley-and through these corruptious he traces its derivation to Church stands on an eminence, commanding a most extensive view, and is justly considered one of the finest and most beautiful examples in England of an AngloNorman parochial Church. It consists of a nave and chancel, divided by a tower, and forms indeed an interesting school of English architceture, affording examples strikingly beautiful; the bold Norman arches supporting the tower, borne by pillars of black marble, present an almost unique appearance; the chancel has an early English groined roof, and presents later characteristics than the rest of the Church, though the outer walls are believed to be of the same date. The font is of very early date, and unusually large, significantly indicating the ancient practice of baptism by immersion, as enjoined in the rubric. It consists of a square block of black marble, 3ft. 6in. square, containing a leaden basin, and supported by a thick and short central column (called in 1468 the 'stole' or stool), and four smaller columns without capitals, at the angles, three being spirally fluted and one of a different shape. In the churchyard, on the south side of the church, as shown in our engraving, is an aged yew-tree of enormous girth, so old that it requires no stretch of fancy to believe it was planted when the first stone of the structure was laid. Indeed it is supposed by some that the tree is of a date more ancient than the church; as the yew was even in Druidical times held sacred to the dead, it was customary on the introduction of Christianity to build the churches near the ancient burying grounds. Near the tree stands an old stone cross, which after remaining for ages in a decapitated state, has, since our sketch was taken, been restored in a style correspon ding with its probable date. By the river-side below the church is a venerable water-mill,much beloved by artists, the lineal descendant of a mill which was flourishing on this spot in the time of Edward the Ist. The Rev. T. A. Warburton, D.C.L., is the present highly esteemed Vicar of the parish. IFFLEY CHURCH. of almost every age and style. The date of its foundation is probably early in the twelfth century; we know that the advowson was given to the canons of the monastery of Kenilworth, by Juliana de S. Remigio; it may therefore be assumed that the church was in existence anterior to this donation; and in all likelihood its foundation was contemporary with that of Kenilworth. The north and south doorways are unusually perfect specimens of the Norman style; the latter in particular being enriched with hieroglyphical carvings which in grotesqueness of design and sharpness of execution rival the finest Byzantine examples. The west front consists of three storeys; the lowest containing the chief entrance, surrounded with zigzag mouldings, and flanked by an arch on each side; the middle storey is now occupied by a fine wheel window, which has been recently restored consistently with the original design in place of a paltry window in the late perpendicular Gothic style which had for centuries defaced the front; and the third storey consists of a noble arcade of three enriched Norman windows, surmounted by a smaller window in the gable. The whole of this front is an exceedingly fine example of the architecture of the period. The interior of the Church is also 1872. 4 A COUNTRY SCENE. By a broad and swiftly flowing river, Passing between rich fields of green,- From flowers whose very hues speak but of love. I SAID, AT THE WELL. "I have a tale to tell!" I said it with a blush and sigh; The queen moon walked in grace alone; About her little shining head A wreath of bright wild flowers she wore ; How tenderly my memory notes Each trifle that made my bliss complete "A whole week, Nellie, and all the brooms new. But don't look so grave; I have every confidence in your ability to keep the wheels moving." She sat silent a while, until her husband began to want to hear her voice again, and rallied her for her abstraction. "What is it, little one? You seem in a brown study about something. Remember, I'm your prime minister, and must know all the state secrets and cares of government." "I was only wondering, John, whether you would see a certain matter as I do. Do you remember how many parties we went to ?—you know we went everywhere." John Stirling knew that very well. Somewhat reserved of nature, save to those of his own household, and not fond of general society, going to a continual round of parties had been one of the sacrifices he had made during the first winter of his marriage, to please his gay little wife. The idea crossed his mind, as she spoke, that she too had wearied of so much excitement, and was going to propose for the future a quieter life. "Yes," he answered, "I know we went out a great deal; but I thought you liked it." THE ORIGIN OF LADIES' FEATHERS.-The fashion of wearing feathers, so much in vogue in France and England previous to the French Revolution, but now only used on occasions of state, owed its origin to the unfortunate Marie Antoinette. One day, finding some peacock's feathers on her toilette, which had been placed there accidentally, being designed to decorate some curious piece of fancy work, she stuck one upon her head. Pleased with the effect, she added a second, and then asked for some small ostrich feathers; in short, before she quitted her dressing-room, by a beautiful arrangement of these feathers with artificial flowers and jewels, she astonished her attendants. The king declared they were the prettiest ornaments he had ever beheld on a lady's head. The queen continued improving on it daily, and the fashion spread, not only through that kingdom but all over Europe. ELIZABETH OF HARDWICKE, COUNTESS OF SHREWS-house-warming." BURY. It is a tradition in the family of Cavendish that a fortune-teller had told this lady that she should not die while she was building. Accordingly, she bestowed a great deal of the wealth she had obtained from three husbands in erecting large seats at Hardwicke, Chatsworth, Bolsover, Oldcotes, and Worksop; and died in a hard frost, when the workmen could not labour. DRESSING FOR BATTLE.-Sir Edward Cust, in his "Annals of the Wars," says of Collingwood, at the battle of Trafalgar, that he dressed himself that morning with peculiar neatness and care, and, in conversation with some of his officers, recommended them to put on silk stockings as he had done; 'for," said he, "if one should get a shot in the leg, they would be so much more manageable for the surgeon." He likewise, as Nelson had done, visited his decks before he got into action, and said to his officers, "Now, gentlemen, let us do something to-day which the world may talk of hereafter." MRS. STIRLING'S RECEPTION. AND so we are really settled in our own house! It eems too good to be true, doesn't it?" "Yes, I liked it," she said, with a little embarrassment. "I was only thinking, John, that, having accepted so many invitations, I should like to gather our friends round us, and give a sort of "That's a primitive, comfortable-sounding term, Nellie. How much would this friendly little affair cost us?" 'Oh, I've thought that all over. We should have to ask every one we knew. It wouldn't do to slight any. We could have Smith get up the supper and furnish the decorations. His bill would be about forty pounds; say ten pounds more for music, and a new dress for me." "Seventy pounds, eh, Nellie ?" "Yes, I am sure I could make seventy pounds do it handsomely. I could send out the invitations for the week after next." "You must let me dream over it. I really didn't know that receptions were such expensive affairs. Seventy pounds for one evening's entertainment; and the prospect of a hard winter, and so much suffering among the poor! Well, I'll tell you in the morning. If I can make up my mind that it is right, you shall have the party." The rest of the evening was a little constrained. The young wife, seeing that her husband did not care to talk about the reception any more just then, struggled bravely to avoid the subject, and, inasmuch as it held possession of all her thoughts, was rather an absent-minded companion. That night, after his wife was quietly asleep beside him, John Stirling spent an hour of not untroubled thought. Unlike Nellie, he had been brought up in a quiet country home, where seventy pounds would have been thought a by no means inadequate provision for the support of the whole family during half the year. Was it right, could it be right, to spend it all upon one evening's entertainment?-for the sake, too, of people who would be in no wise benefited thereby whose choicest pleasures were so common that they had already palled upon their senses? But then, as his wife had suggested, they had been out so muchwould not this drawing back from a return of civilities look very mean?-and John Stirling shrank, with all the pride of a sensitive man, from the least imputation of meanness. They were not rich. True, his capital was his own, and his business was good; but he had not felt that he could afford to spend more than £350 a year on home expenses, and here was seventy pounds extra, upon which he had not counted, coming at once. Surely he could not dare, for such a cause, to stint his contributions for the relief of the suffering? Could he afford it without? Nellie, the indulged child of wealthy parents, knew nothing of such anxious thoughts; she only heard their result in the morning. Before he gave her his good-bye kiss, he said, in a tone a little more sober than he meant it should be "Well, dear, you shall have your party. You can begin making your arrangements at once. Here are twenty pounds for your own requirements; I will pay Smith and the music afterwards." That was all. John Stirling had a sunny, unselfish temper; and when he had made up his mind to grant his wife the indulgence she craved, it would not have been like him to spoil her pleasure by any indications of dissatisfaction. Still, her intuitions were strong, and her nature sensitive and impressible; and she had a certain sense of having persuaded her husband somewhat against his own wishes, that rather disinclined her to commence her preparations. It was nearly eleven o'clock before she dressed herself for her shopping expedition. She was just tying the strings of her hat when she heard a ring at the door, and presently a servant came in with the information that a little child, who had brought home some sewing, wanted to see her. Mrs. Stirling was motherly by instinct, and her heart warmed at once to the shy little creature who came timidly in. It was a girl not more than seven years old quite too young, Mrs. Stirling thought, to be trusted alone in the streets; but, then, she herself had been brought up under the rule of nurserymaid and governess. She took the bundle from the child's hand, and said, with a bright and kind smile Where did you come from, and how did you find the way alone, you poor little thing?" "Sister Anne sent me, ma'am. She had done your embroidery, and she thought if she could get the money for it, to pay Mr. Jenkins, maybe he would let us stay in the room till she got a little better." "She is sick, then ?" Yes, ma'am. She didn't feel well enough to come. It's been hard getting along all the summer, for the ladies she works for were most all out of town, and some of them owing her; and I s'pose the worry and the not having much to eat did it, ma'am." Mrs. Stirling leaned towards the little creature, and looked at her more closely. Could it be hunger, she thought, that made those blue eyes look so large, and the kin so transparent? Was this little thing actually suffering for bread, and she going to spend seventy pounds in one evening, feasting those who never felt a want even of dainties? She knew now what thoughts had been in her husband's mind when he spoke of the suffering among the poor. She said, pleasantly "Well, child, you must have some luncheon, and then I will go with you to see your sister. I had better speak to her about the work." 66 Isn't it right? Can't you pay her?" The child gave a start of alarm, and spoke with the premature womanliness and the natural apprehension of misfortune which are among the saddest fruits of poverty. Mrs. Stirling relieved her with ready sympathy. "Yes, indeed, the work is all right. It's done beautifully; but I want to see your sister about some more, and perhaps I can do her good." It would have made the kind lady's heart ache could she have seen the eagerness with which the half-famished child devoured the food which was set before her in the kitchen. In a few moments they were ready to start. Mrs. Stirling had replaced her mantle by a shawl, her hat by a simple straw bonnet, and, with a basket in her hand containing a few dainties with which she hoped to tempt the sick girl's palate, she followed the child through the streets of the city to a locality hitherto unknown to her. In a half-dilapidated wooden house, in a narrow court, she found the object of her search. She weat up two flights of stairs, and entered a back room lighted by one window. The atmosphere struck her, in spite of her warm attire, with a sudden chill. Evidently the sun never came there. The dampness of the walls, the general aspect of gloom and cheerlessness, were only relieved by an air of scrupulous neatness which pervaded everything. Mrs. Stirling had already noticed this quality in the clothing of the child, which, though cheap, and poor, and patched, was as immaculate in its cleanliness as her own. At the window, attempting to sew, the elder sister sat, but she was evidently very ill. Every now and then a spasm of coughing seized her, which compelled her to lay down her work, and clasp both hands on her side. Mrs. Stirling had not seen her since spring, the work returned that morning having been sent to her by a servant. She went up to her, and sat down in a chair which stood near. "Your sister said you were sick, so I came to see if I could be of use to you," she said, in gentle tones, which of themselves carried a certain comfort with them. "I have brought you some jelly and cold chicken; you must eat them now, they will do you good." The poor girl blushed deeply, and said in a low voice I am very grateful, madam; but, if you please, I will wait until you leave me. Allow me at present to attend to you." "No, indeed! I am not going yet. I want w talk to you, and I shall not do so until you has taken something to strengthen you. Little Jane has lunched already.” When the poor suffering girl had finished her me, and taken up her work again, Mrs. Stirling began to talk to her. "Is this consumption, Anne ?" she asked, gently. "Your cough alarms me." "No, ma'am, I am very sure it is nothing of the kind yet. There is no consumption in our family. My father was a country minister, and had a strong and healthy constitution. lle died young, but i |