Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 29.djvu/242

 ^rrharologiral 3:iUrHigcncr. Exr.vvATiONs AT Caudikk Casilk. — Many of our re;nloi-s will remember that at the time uf the recent visit of the Institnte to Canlitl', the President of the Meeting had connnenced the removal of some of the plaster and modern brickwork with which the interior of the castle had been altered and concealed. These works have been continued, and we umlerstand that it is ascertained that the centre of the buildin<r was occupied by a great hall, of which the oriels are still seen on the enat front, and which also had large windows, of a Perpendicular character, in the west or outer wall. The hall does not ascend to the top of the building, but only occupies one floor, having had a flat ceiling. We also understand that Lord Bute has connnenced considerable excavations along the line of the wall which divided the outer from the inner ward. The wall, of great thick- ness, and with foundations of unusual depth, extends across the court from the Black Tower to the foot of the mound, and is contiiuied in a north-westerly direction l)eyond the mound to the outer wall of the castle. There are indications siiowing tiiat originally it was carried up the mound, to join the polygonal shell still extant there. Traces have been found of a gateway in this wall, near the outer gate, by the Black Tower, and at the other end was probably a second gate, and certaiidy, within and parallel to the wall, a very strong portcullis gate, leading from the inner ward to the foot of a steep flight of stairs, wiiich lead to the Keep. Connected with the gfvte was a drawltridge across the ditch of the moiuid. This was worked between two walls, — the one the ward wall, the other a paru))et resting upon a large roumbheaded arch, whicii hjianned the ditch, and so allowed its waters to flow into the l)ridge pit. Near this jrate is a well. The ditch of the mound is now Iteing opened, and it is already evident that the ditch is much older than the wall which tiavern's it. The interior of the Keep has been prolied, but con- tains no foinidations. It is cmious that while the i)iiter wall of the cahtle has on the outside no fonn<lutions, though supported inside by r» to 10 ft. of cartii, the crosH wall is sunk some 8 or In it. in the earth. The ubovo cursory account is written after a very hasty visit to the spot, but the operations are evidently carried forwanl, in a very nietho- dical and juflicious mani;er, by Lord Bute himself; and it is to bo hoped that, wlien com[)leted, ho will draw up an acL-nunt of them, with [dans and sections. Thnse who remember!.<jrd Bute's letter u|ion the excavations of .leruHalem, pulilished some years ng<i, are all aware tiiat he liaH a genius for topograjihy. We hear that excavations are also in jipigrcKH at ('a.stel Coeh. l".;irly in )lif iii<iiilli crJuiic, of the present year, a Il-iiiiiui nia^islerial chair, or thioni-, was (lih<<»vered at a suiidl eounliy place iiciU' Aipiila, in