Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/197

Rh so that very little mortar appears to be intermixed in the body of the wall; and thus the outside of spawled masonry, especially, presents an almost uninterrupted surface of stone, supplementary splinters being carefully inserted in the joints of the undried wall. Such, also, is the style of masonry of the most ancient churches; but it should be added that, in the interior of the walls of both, grouting is abundantly used. In some instances, however, the towers present a surface of ashlar masonry,—but rarely laid in courses perfectly regular,—both externally and internally, though more usually on the exterior only; and, in a few instances, the lower portion of the towers exhibits less of regularity than the upper parts.

"In their architectural features an equal diversity of style is observable; and of these the doorway is the most remarkable. When the tower is of rubble masonry, the doorways seldom present any decorations, and are either quadrangular, and covered with a lintel, of a single stone of great size, or semicircular-headed, either by the construction of a regular arch, or the cutting of a single stone. There are, however, two instances of very richly decorated doorways in towers of this description, namely, those of Kildare and Timahoe. In the more regularly constructed towers the doorways are always arched semicircularly, and are usually ornamented with architraves, or bands, on their external faces. The upper apertures but very rarely present any decorations, and are most usually of a quadrangular form. They are, however, sometimes semicircular-headed, and still oftener present the triangular or straight- sided arch. I should further add, that in the construction of these apertures very frequent examples occur of that kind of masonry, consisting of long and short stones alternately, now generally considered by antiquaries as a characteristic of Saxon architecture in England.

"The preceding description will, I trust, be sufficient to satisfy the reader that the round towers were not ill-adapted to the double purpose of belfries and castles, for which I have to prove they were chiefly designed; and keeping this double purpose in view, it will. I think, satisfactorily account for those peculiarities in their structure, which would be unnecessary if they had been constructed for either purpose alone. For example, if they had been erected to serve the purpose of belfries only, there would be no necessity for making their doorways so small, or placing them at so great a distance from the ground; while, on the other hand, if they had been intended solely for ecclesiastical castles, they need not have been of such slender proportions and great altitude." pp. 353—7.

This is an admirable summary of the whole work, and all that remains is to fill up the skeleton with examples. It is clear that the round towers must not be considered by themselves, but always in connection with the churches to which they are attached.

One more example must suffice to shew this connection.

"This tower, (Clonmacnoise,) as well as the church with which it is connected, is wholly built of ashlar masonry, of a fine sandstone, laid in horizontal courses, and is of unusually small size; its height, including the conical roof,