April 1, 2003 - page 2

The same hall is significant for other reasons, not least its associations with the work of Charles Dodgson, whom you probably know as Lewis Carroll, author of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Dodgson was a mathematics tutor at the college for 44 years, so it’s not surprising that his literary work is wrapped up in Oxford’s sights and personalities. Alice herself was inspired by the daughter of the Dean of Christ Church, Henry Liddell. Local tradition says that the rabbit hole in the book has its parallel in the descending spiral staircase found just behind the dining hall’s High Table; Liddell would slip down these stairs after dinner each evening. He also was often preoccupied with the time, fearing that he’d miss an appointment. By now you’ve realized that Liddell gave rise to the White Rabbit.

Those are only a few small ways that life in that world-renowned city has left its mark on us all. As I say, there are plenty of others, and our brief stop there left this visitor eager to return soon. My mom will just have to contain her Harry-Potter-envy.

I must also pass along at least a few thoughts on my time at Westminster Abbey this past week. Not that I have any hope of capturing its meaning in a brief description (or a long one, for that matter). Only a sense of obligation to note that I was in a very special place.