INTRODUCTION

THE great number of fine things, as buildings, walks, books, printed and manuscript, prints, fossils, &c. to be seen in so easy a manner at Cambridge, occasions a considerable resort of company; and though few can be supposed to come there, who have not a relation or friend in that learned body, who will take a pleasure in shewing them the place to the best advantage; yet as travelling is mostly performed in the summer, when the members of the university are in general retired from it, the stranger may often receive less pleasure and information, than he had reason to expect. To remedy this, is the design of the following pages: some things may not suit the taste of even the most curious visitor; those that are thought most likely to give general satisfaction, are most insisted on; and all such may be seen in the best manner, and least fatigue, in a single walk, by beginning at St. Mary's church, or the senate-house: it may however be proper to take a servant from the inn, to look up the person that shews the next place, whilst the company are engaged in viewing the former.

ORIGIN, &c. OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Origin

As to the origin of the university of Cambridge, it is said, that one Cantaber, a Spaniard, 270 years before Christ, first founded it; and that Sigebert, king of the East Angles, restored it, anno Christi 630.