Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/195

Rh "3. That, previously to General Vallancey,—a writer remarkable for the daring rashness of his theories, for his looseness in the use of authorities, and for his want of acquaintance with medieval antiquities,—no writer had ever attributed to the round towers any other than a Christian, or, at least, a medieval origin.

"4. And lastly, that the evidences and arguments tendered in support of this theory by Vallancey and his followers,—excepting those of the late Mr. O'Brien and Sir William Betham, which I have not thought deserving of notice,—have been proved to be of no weight or importance.

"In addition to these facts, the four which follow will be proved in the descriptive notices of the ancient churches and towers which will constitute the third part of this inquiry.

"1. That the towers are never found unconnected with ancient ecclesiastical foundations.

"2. That their architectural styles exhibit no features or peculiarities not equally found in the original churches with which they are locally connected, when such remain.

"3. That on several of them Christian emblems are observable; and that others display, in their details, a style of architecture universally acknowledged to belong to Christian times.

"4. That they possess, invariably, architectural features not found in any buildings in Ireland ascertained to be of pagan times.

"For the present, however, I must assume these additional facts as proved, and will proceed to establish the conclusions as to their uses originally stated; namely, I. that they were intended to serve as belfries; and, II. as keeps, or places of strength, in which the sacred utensils, books, relics, and other valuables, were deposited, and into which the ecclesiastics to whom they belonged could retire for security, in cases of sudden predatory attack.

"These uses will, I think, appear obvious to a great extent, from their peculiarities of construction, which it will be proper, in the first place, to describe. These towers, then,—as will be seen from the annexed characteristic illustration, representing the perfect tower on Devenish Island in Lough Erne,—are rotund, cylindrical structures, usually tapering upwards, and varying in height from fifty to perhaps one hundred and fifty feet; and in external circumference, at the base, from forty to sixty feet, or somewhat more. They have usually a circular, projecting base, consisting of one, two, or three steps, or plinths, and are finished at the top with a conical roof of stone, which, frequently, as there is every reason to believe, terminated with a cross formed of a single stone. The wall, towards the base, is never less than three feet in thickness, but is usually more, and occasionally five feet, being always in accordance with the general proportions of the building. In the interior they are divided into stories, varying in number from four to eight, as the height of the tower permitted, and usually about twelve feet in height. These stories are marked either by projecting belts of stone, set-offs or ledges, or holes in the wall to receive