Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/410

* EXETER. 362 EXETER COLLEGE. twelfth century, and the beautifully ornamented west front added in the fourteenth century. The dimensions are 408 feet in length by 140 feet across the transepts. The interior is nota- ble for its fine proportions and perfect sym- metry. Its special features are the carved min- strels' gallery, the bishop's throne with a lofty spire-like canopy, the sculptured stone choir- and the modern reredos. Many of the monuments are well worthy of notice. The chap- ter-house, with a magnificent ceiling, contains a fine library, and among many valuable ancient manuscripts is Leofric's celebrated book of Saxon poetry. In the cathedral close are the episcopal palace and deanery. High Street contains many ancient buildings, the finest being the Guildhall, dating from the fifteenth century, whose upper story projects over the sidewalk and forms an arcade supported by pillars. On an eminence near one of the railway stations are the ruins of Eougemont Castle, built by William the Conqueror, and remains of the ancient city walls. Part of the castle grounds now constitutes Northernhay Park. Among other buildings are Saint John's Hospital, founded in the reign of Henry III., the Albert Memorial Mu- seum, opened in 1868, the Victoria Hall, lunatic asylum, and almshouses. Exeter has not been backward in municipal enterprise. It owns its water-supply and an electric plant. It main tains a technical college, public library and museum, public baths and wash-houses, parks, municipal band, an asylum, markets, a septic tank system of sewage treatment, and a ceme- tery. It sends one member to Parliament. Exe- ter has a large floating ship-basin, a ship-canal extending to Topsham, and extensive rock-hewn wine vaults bordering its quay. It carries on a considerable shipping trade, the value of its an- imal imports exceeding $500,000. Exeter has un- surpassed nurseries, and exports dairy, farm, and orchard produce. Its chief manufactures are gloves and agricultural implements. It is the chief market for the celebrated Honiton lace. Exeter is on the Great Western and the London ami Smith Western railways. Population, in 1891, 45,600; in 1901, 46,900. In early times Exeter, the Caer Isc of the Britons, was most probably an important centre oi trade with the Greeks and Phoenicians. To the Romans it was known as Isea Dam noniorum. Exeter was for a long time the centre of British resistance to the Anglo-Saxon invaders, and in 926, when Athelstan visited Exanceaster, he found it inhabited by British and Savins alike. Athelstan surrounded the town with wall-., sn that it withstood an attack of the Danes in loot. Two years later, however, they returned and plundered the town. In 1050 Exeter, as afford- ing greater security, replaced Crediton as the episcopal see of Devonshire. The city was taken by i lie ( lonqueror in iocs, and by Stephen in 1 137. ■ the Middle Ages it had a very important ol a trade, but latei lost it. During the Civil '' u it was held by the Royalists from 16*43 (■> 1646, when it surrendered to Fairfax, ('(insult: Oliver. History of ISweter (Exeter, 1821); id., ! thi Bishops of Eoeeter and History of ' athedral 1 1. mi. Ion. 1861 si ) : Freeman, - | l ondon 1890 i EXETER. A town and one of the eounty- Beal of Rockingham County, N. H., 25 miles east of Manchester; mi the Squamscutt River, and on the Boston and Maine Railroad (Map: New Hampshire, L 10). The river affords good water-power, which is employed in cotton manu- facturing. Other important products are: Iron and brass goods, machinery, boxes, and shoes. One of the oldest towns in the State, Exeter boasts of a large number of colonial houses. It has a public library of 14,500 volumes. The Phillips Exeter Academy (q.V.), which for gener- ations has had a national reputation, and the Robinson Female Seminary, are situated here. The town was founded in 1638 by Rev. John Wheel- wright, banished from Massachusetts, and was under the jurisdiction of Massachusetts from 1645 to 1680. During the Revolution it was the seat of the New Hampshire Government. Popu- lation, 1890, 4284; in 1900, 4922. Consult Bell, History of the Town of Exeter (Exeter, 1888). EXETER BOOK, or Codex Exoniensis. The name given to a manuscript anthology of Old English, or Anglo-Saxon, poetry, in possession of Exeter Cathedral. The volume has been identified with a book presented to the Cathedral by Leofric, the first Bishop of Exeter (1050-72), and described as "One great English book on various topics, composed in verse." The manu- script, 55%X7% inches, contains 123 leaves, or -Hi pages, and is written on vellum. But for this volume, some of the finest Old English poems, as the Christ, would be lost to us. Con- sult: Gollanez, The Exeter Hook, containing both the original text and a translation (London, 1895) ; and the excellent account of the book and of Leofric in the introduction by Cook to Cyne- wulf's ( 'h rist ( Boston. 1 900 ). See Vercelli Book. EXETER COLLEGE. A college of Oxford University. It was founded about 1314 by Wal- ter de Stapeldon, Bishop of Exeter, for a rector, twelve scholars from the Diocese of Exeter, hold- ing degrees in arts, and a scholar-chaplain. The foundation was a self-governing corporation, whose revenues, however, according to a some- what frequent mediaeval custom, were vested in another corporation, the Dean and Chapter of Exeter. Another curious provision was the an- nual election of the rector. The scholars first occu- pied two hostels. Hart Hall and Arthur Hall, and the establishment seems to have been called, from h- founder, Stapeldon Hall. In 1565 Sir Wil- liam Petre obtained a new charter fur the founda- tion from Queen Elizabeth, ami completely reor- ganized it, on the model <>f other Oxford colleges. The scholars were removed to buildings on the present site of the college, the rector was made a permanent official, and the name was changed to Exeter College. Scholarships were added by Petre and others, among whom in later years Charles I. was one, and the institution took mi a new lease of life. The organization of the col- lege was materially changed by the general re- adjustments in the university and colleges of recent years. New buildings have I n added to the already picturesque quadrangle. Of these the chapel is especially noteworthy. It was de signed by Scott, and has. as part of its interior decoration, a piece <>i splendid tape-try. designed by Burne-.Tmics and executed by William Morris. Of the older buildings, the hall is one of the mosl notable in the university. Among the dia tinguished men who have been connected with