The Senate House

THE SENATE HOUSE. This is a handsome, well-proportioned, Corinthian edifice, in the form of a rectangular parallelogram, of Portland stone, by Gibbs.

The capitals of the columns and pilasters are said to be copied from the temple of Jupiter Stator at Rome.

It was built by subscriptions, at a cost of £13,000, George I. giving £2,000 and George II. £3,000, and was opened in 1730.

University examinations used to be held here, and it is used mainly for degree ceremonies and formerly for meetings of the Council of the Senate.

Elections, the conferring of degrees, etc., also take place in the Senate House. It is a fine room, 100 feet by 43 feet, and 32 feet high, with panelling and galleries of Norway oak boldly carved. The floor is of black and white marble, and the ceiling is divided into quadrangular compartments richly decorated. In the south-west corner is a small robing room.

The Senate House contains a statue of Charles, Duke of Somerset, Chancellor of the University, by Rysbrack, and a statue of Pitt, which is considered one of Nolleken's best works.

The dais (or disc), is occupied by the Vice-Chancellor (by the Chancellor when he is present), and the heads of houses and doctors; the body of the house by members of the Senate; and the galleries by the undergraduates, the visitors being placed on either side near the dais.

Lectures are ocasionally given here by some person appointed by the Vice-Chancellor, and Inaugural Lectures by Professors.