|MEMBERSHIP of this College is restricted to those who belong to the
Church of England. Another primary purpose of Keble is to provide a less
expensive education than that afforded by other Colleges. At the moment
when the scheme was formulated died John Keble, author of the Christian
Year, and it was decided to name the new foundation after him, at once
as a tribute to his memory and in order to enlist the active sympathies
of his many admirers. An appeal for funds met with a liberal and
widespread response, and Keble College was opened in the Michaelmas term
of 1870.
[Illustration: 0276]
[Illustration: 0276]
The external appearance of Keble is not commonly admired. It is a
pleasanter task to dwell for a moment on the beauty of the interior of
the Chapel, which was presented by Mr. William Gibbs, and completed
in 1876. The visitor will be struck by the noble proportions of this
edifice, its finely toned windows and its elaborate mosaics. A small
ante-chapel contains Holman Hunts celebrated picture--The Light of the
World, presented by Mrs. Combe.
Keble soon took its place among the other Colleges, both in work and
play. It has a splendid Hall and Library, given by the Gibbs family.
In accordance with the economy of the scheme, the rooms of the
undergraduates are small, and all meals are taken in common in Hall.
There is consequently more of the air of a public school about Keble
than is looked for in ordinary College life. Its first warden, Dr.
Talbot, is now Bishop of Southwark.