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On the outside it is very smooth, and built with the greatest degree 
of accuracy and correctness, so that no deviation from the regu- 
larity of the curve appears in any part of it. The stones are small ; 
and the joints are all filled with splinters of stone, either hammered 
in so strongly, or pressed so closely by the weight of the superin- 
cumbent structure, that it is nearly imposible to pull one of 
them from its place. It is very extraordinary that the inte- 
rior part of the wall seems to have been filled very carelessly, 
and little attention paid to laying the stones on the flat, so that one 
would be inclined to think, the weight of the internal material 
would, in time, have burst the sides out; and yet in no place has it 
given in the smallest degree, though it must have been standing for 
ages. The only dilapidation is evidently by the hands of man, 
for, until about thirty years back, when I first took it under my 
care, it was used as a pound. But still it is surprisingly perfect. 
In no place is the wall lower than ten feet; and in one, it is 
perfect to the projecting eve stone, which originally finished it 
upon the top on the inside, It has no appearance of having ever 
had a battlement. 
This is as accurate a description as I can give of this interesting 
structure. I have now to observe, that it is the only one of this 
peculiar construction remaining, in this country, in any state of pre- 
servation ; and I believe none have been discovered in any other 
part of the kingdom. There are indeed in its neighbour- 
hood, each about three miles from it, in opposite directions, 
two stone forts in a state of barbarous dilapidation, which seem to 
have been built about the same time, and with nearly the same care ; 
but they do not shew the curve on the outside, nor do they appear to 
have had similar stairs or seats on the inside. One of them has the 
appearance of having originally had seats of different elevations all 
