XXV [ ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



The tower is to be a square structure of an ornamental character,. 

 adapted from a well-known example in the Department of the Loire, in 

 France. It has buttresses at the angles from base to summit, and in 

 order that it shall not appear heavy, the sides of the squai-e, reckoning 

 to the outside of the buttresses, do not exceed 27 feet. There are two 

 stages, each of which is relieved with an ornamental balcony, which adds 

 much to the appearance of the structure. The floor of the upper bal- 

 cony is 75 feet from the base, and above this is an octagonal spire of 30 

 feet, making a total height of about 105 feet. A circular staircase of fair 

 width goes up the centre of the tower to the first stage, and above that 

 there is a spiral staircase for the second stage, and should a lift be re- 

 quired for the future, the well-hole of the tower forms a convenient 

 position for it. 



The style of the design, although original, is typical of the style 

 prevalent in England at the time of Henry VII. The spire of freestone 

 is to be surmounted by the figure of Peace (or Commerce) mounted on a 

 globe typifying the world, and it is proposed to gild these, so that they 

 would be very conspicuous from a distance. Provision is made at the 

 base for an insertion of panels with bronze bas-reliefs, one of which will 

 be reserved for the Bristol inscrijDtion, and the others are proposed to be 

 filled in by the American Subscribers and the Peace Society. The plat- 

 form will be square, and it is proposed to make it about the same dimen- 

 sions as the present circular inclosure on Brandon Hill, about 42 feet 

 across. At its angles will be projected bold epaulements for the reception 

 of the Eussian trophy guns, so that the platform will still present the 

 appearance of a fortification. 



In Newfoundland a signal station and observatory are also to be 

 built in honour of the Italian sailor. These honours are relatively insig- 

 nificant compared with those paid to the great Genoese, and even to the 

 Breton sailor of St. Malo, but still they are an instalment of that justice 

 which the Anglo-Saxon communities of America have so long delayed 

 awarding to a man to whom they owe so deep a debt of gratitude. 



16. Historical Studies. 



The erection of this tablet in honour of a navigator whose name was 

 hai'dly remembered in Canada until the Eoyal Society undertook the 

 task of recalling his services, may be cited as an instance of the growing 

 interest throughout Canada in historical investigation and in famous 

 events of American annals. 



The deep interest that is now taken in the history of Canada is quite 

 apparent from the list of works which have appeared within a decade of 

 years from the presses of the Dominion as well as of other countries. At 

 least a hundred important books have been published during that time 



