This west side was completed by the laying of the last stone at 3 P.M., Sept. 1, 1565 (as we are precisely informed:-a curious illustration of the founder's minute interest in his work). It had thus occupied only four months; but, as already stated, the materials had all been collected beforehand. On September 15, following, the ground was dug for the foundations of the east side, the building of which was probably carried on with similar despatch1.

Dr Caius was still far from having completed his generous benefactions. From the day of his election to the mastership, until 1566, the entire emoluments of his office were devoted to the following improvements: the completion of the west end of the master's lodge, including the "turret-staircase" adjoining it; the raising of the old "sacred turret" on the south side of the chapel; the walling in of the new fellows' garden; with other minor additions. He also laid by a considerable sum for the Gate of Honour, but this was not built till after his death.

The Gate of Humility, with its well-known symbolism, was now built,-(the student, entering thereby, passed through the Gate of Virtue and Wisdom, and thence out by the Gate of Honour to the Public Schools)--and became the principal entrance to the college. It stood till the rebuilding of the court in 1868, when it was removed and set up in the Master's garden, against the south wall. There is, however, scarcely any of the ancient work visible about it at present, as it had been almost entirely covered with Roman cement some time in the last or present century. As Dr Caius left our present "Tree-Court," as it is now called, it was not really a court at all. The approach from the Gate of Humility to the Gate of Virtue was made along a comparatively narrow alley, with a high wall right and left such as we see in the present approach to Jesus College. This alley was afterwards planted, it is generally supposed about 1658,-with the present avenue of lime trees. The wall on the left, enclosing the President's garden, stood till 1850. The first part of that on the right was removed some time in the last century, thus throwing open the Perse and Legge Buildings: the further part of it, being the wall of the fellows' garden, was left standing till 1868. The following account is from Walpole's Anecdotes of Painting (1. 193). "This Gate of Virtue is joined by two long walls to the Porta Humilitatis, and in these are two little Doric frontispieces, all in appearance of the same date, and showing the Roman architecture reviving, with little columns and pilasters, well enough proportioned in themselves and neatly executed, though in no proportion to the building they were intended to adorn." I have never seen any other reference to these "frontispieces," which were apparently small "shrines" built by Dr Caius in the style of the Gate of Honour. From the hinges still remaining in the Gate of Virtue it seems that there was another door or grating at this end of the alley.

During this time Caius was only occasionally resident, his duties as President of the College of Physicians, and presumably his private practice, causing him to be much away. But he was kept constantly informed of the progress of his buildings, as the following letters from two of the fellows of the college will show.

1 In 1615 there is a charge of £4 for enclosing the inside of this court with wooden rails. These had disappeared in 1688, when Loggan's view was taken; but those in Gonville Court were still standing.

C. III.

4

The first is from Mr Matthew Trott, dated June 4, 1566. He says that, in the absence of Mr Dorington and Mr Holland,

Who would have sygnyfyed unto your worship the case of your college and forwardnes of your buyldynges I thought good with my duty to supplye ther place that your worship should not be ignorant altogyther what is done. The turret at the gable ende of Mr Parker his chamber, ryseth a pase with suche beauty to the buyldinge and commodytie to the chamber that it had been great pitye ether not to have bene begonne ether to have bene left of. Your rough masons departed hence upon Whitsonday even, at which tyme Mr Dorington in like case repayred to Warboys, whom I here to be very careful for the caryage of your tymber ther. Your Quarry man bringeth in stone as he was wonte, I mean weakly, so long as I have taryed here.

The turret referred to here was the so-called "master's turret," or turret-staircase; Mr Parker, afterwards Lord Morley, was admitted as fellow-commoner in 1563 (Vol. I. 50). The tower, which stood a little to the south of the present diningroom, was removed in 1795, when the lodge was enlarged and extended westwards (see Loggan's view of the college).

The next letter is from Mr Henry Holland.

Ryght worshipfull my duetye remembred &c.

Jesus (?). 1569

I have recevd your letters by Sir Stephens this present nyght, and will visit Mr Mylsent with your letters if I stand nede. I was yesterdaye at Reche, and Mr Slegg, maior (Roger Slegge, mayor 1568-9) with his aldermen being ther as Lords of the fayer, I convented Mannynge before them who after they had well coled him an houre or two in the block-house, made him to promyse to bringe you in three chalder before Whitsundaye, and other v chalder before Midsom1, and yf there be eny more behind of the bargayn to brynge it in as spedely after as maye be, which yf he doo not he shall fele the smarte. The other lyme owners of Reche aske a noble the chalder. Humfreye lookethe for his man this weeke without fayle, yf he come not we will visitt Mr Melsent on Sondaye. In the meane tyme I wil learne if father Evett have eny executors, and who hathe taken administration of his goods. He had of me XL for threscore tuns of ston allredye dygged and scapled, wherof xxx tuns and more be come in and the rest shall come in as fast we can gett carts. But it is dygged allredye and therfore nothinge is owyng on eyther part. Your gate is rysen on the syde to the courte v fote that is to the toppe of the wyndoe and on the other syde to the thyrd jalm (jamb) of the windoe. I trust the next weeke to have it levell round for the florr. Humfreye hathe more of these roghte layers (roughlayers) and more than he can do to fynd them worke. The chimneyes will serve for raynye dayes as we had some last weeke. Mr Samuell hathe sent you XXXI hundrethe and xxxIII Li of lead donne (?) weyght for the which he hathe recevd of me xvli XII & VIII. There is come in also of bord xxxv hundrethe good bord full measure. Wherefore I have payd x111i and more. If you come not home quicklye we shall be dryven to unseal some of the baggs of gold sealed. Thus havynge certyfyed you of all things as neare as I can for my busynesse I betake you to Allmyghtye God

From Cambryge this XVI of Maye

Yours Henry Holand

1 In deciphering some of these letters I have had the benefit-like not a few other residents

of the quick eye and trained skill of Mr Rogers, of the University Library.