its majestic assemblage of towers, and spires, and domes
Oxford is famous for the way in which the structures of the university
rise above other features of the landscape to dominate the horizon. In
the late nineteenth century Thomas Hardy paints an enduring picture of the
young Jude Fawley, the hero of Jude the Obscure who has mythicized
what is there denominated Christminster, venturing far out of his village
and climbing a ladder at sunset with the hope of making out this far-off
object of all his desires:
Some way within the limits of the stretch of landscape, points of light
like the topaz gleamed. The air increased in transparency with the lapse
of minutes, till the topaz points showed themselves to be the vanes,
windows, wet roof slates, and other shining spots upon the spires, domes,
freestone-work, and varied outlines that were faintly revealed. It was
Christminster, unquestionably; either directly seen, or miraged in the
peculiar atmosphere.
The spectator gazed on till the windows and vanes lost their shine, going
out almost suddenly like extinguished candles. The vague city became
veiled in mist.
(I.iii)
