CHAPTER VIII.
THE MAGIC GLASS.
The old College of Manchester occupied, as is well known, the site of the existing structure, called after the benevolent individual by whom that admirable charity was founded, and whom we have ventured to introduce in this history,--the Chetham Hospital.

Much, indeed, of the ancient building remains; for though it was considerably repaired and enlarged, being "very ruinous and in great decay," at the time of its purchase in 1654, by the feoffees under Humphrey Chetham's will, from the sequestrators of the Earl of Derby's estates, still the general character of the fabric has been preserved, and several of its chambers retained.

Originally built on the foundation of a manor-house denominated The Baron's Hall,--the abode of the Grelleys and the De la Warrs, lords of Manchester,--the College continued to be used as the residence of the warden and fellows of the Collegiate Church until the reign of Edward the First, when that body was dissolved.

On the accession, however, of Mary, the College was re-established; but the residence of the ecclesiastical body being removed to a house in Deansgate, the building was allowed to become extremely dilapidated, and was used partly as a prison for recusants and other offenders, and partly as a magazine for powder.

In this state Dr.Dee found it when he succeeded to the wardenship in 1595, and preferring it, notwithstanding its ruinous condition, to the house appointed for him elsewhere, took up his abode within it.
Situated on a high rock, overhanging the river Irk--at that time a clear stream, remarkable for the excellence of its fish,--and constructed entirely of stone, the old College had then, and still has to a certain extent, a venerable and monastic appearance.