Note 366 — Chapter IV · COLLEGIATE AND SOCIAL LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY

Studies were much later additions in the colleges, and at first a room would be fitted with 8 or 10 ‘studies,’ alcoves or cabinets 5 ft. 6 in. by 6 ft., which would be eagerly hired by students. Sometimes the studies were furnished by the pensioners with the necessary desk and shelves. No attempt at decoration of college rooms appears to have been made till the poet Gray placed scented flowers in his window and bought Japanese vases of the blue and white china afterwards to become so fashionable—which caused much remark. When young peers came up to Cambridge attended by their tutor and an ample suite the colleges were much put about to lodge them, and we find Lady Rutland as early as 1590 sending hangings for her son’s with-drawing-room at Corpus.