Oxford is famous for the way in which the structures of the university rise above
other features of the landscape to dominate the horizon. In the late nineteenth century
Thomas Hardy paints an enduring picture of the young Jude Fawley, the hero of Jude
the Obscure who has mythicized what is there denominated Christminster, venturing
far out of his village and climbing a ladder at sunset with the hope of making out
this far-off object of all his desires:
Some way within the limits of the stretch of landscape, points of light like the topaz
gleamed. The air increased in transparency with the lapse of minutes, till the topaz
points showed themselves to be the vanes, windows, wet roof slates, and other shining
spots upon the spires, domes, freestone-work, and varied outlines that were faintly
revealed. It was Christminster, unquestionably; either directly seen, or miraged in
the peculiar atmosphere.
The spectator gazed on till the windows and vanes lost their shine, going out almost
suddenly like extinguished candles. The vague city became veiled in mist. (I.iii)