It is now the water tower which
holds the supply for Oxford prison.
Old Holywell Mill was on a branch of the Cherwell, and stood just behind
Magdalen Walks, whence a charming view was had of its wheel and lasher. It
belonged to the Abbey of Oseney, who gave it to Merton College in exchange
for value. Now it is a handsome dwelling-house, below which the mill
stream rushes.
[Illustration: BOTLEY MILL. _From a photograph by Taunt & Co_.]
[Illustration: EEL BUCKS. _From a photograph by Taunt & Co_.]
Merton College seems to have had a fancy for owning mills, for it also
acquired by exchange the King's Mill. Only the house and lasher are left
to show where this old mill stood. It had a narrow but very strong mill
stream, which in winter used to come down in a sheet of solid water like
green jade, a beautiful object among the walks and willows of Mesopotamia.
It was an outpost of the King's forces when Oxford was held for the
Royalists.
Botley Mill, though on the westernmost of the many streams into which the
Thames divides at Oxford, was outside the walls. It dates from before the
Conquest. This belonged to the Abbey of Abingdon, in the chronicles of
which are some records of an injury done to the "aqueduct, which is
vulgarly called the lake.
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