Thickness^ Cement and Materials of Walls. 209 



castles, may have engendered, and produced by disu- 

 nion, the distractions and contests, which immoveably 

 fixed these real fortresses, for usurpation and povven 

 The desolation of the country, and the vassalage of 

 the people, followed of course. — The lordly chieftains, 

 who held these once formidable citadels, have long 

 before them, mouldered into dust; and left these evi- 

 dences of their greatness, more durable than them= 

 selves, or their dominion. But it is questionable whe«^ 

 ther the condition of the great mass of the descen- 

 dants of their vassals, when compared with that of their 

 ancestors, is yet am.eliorated, in any important degree. 

 At Cashel (22 years ago) I ascended a perfectly well 

 preserved' circular stair way. of cut stone; in a round 

 tower wonderfully strong and lofty, and of neat mason- 

 ry. It was, I think, 100 feet high; and in good preser- 

 vation; though neither tradition, or history, relates the 

 time of its erection, with any certainty. It was cover- 

 ed with a dome roof of immense cut stone ; and there 

 were at various heights, apertures for light, probably 

 also for annoyance of assailants, and loop holes for ar- 

 chery. There were platforms at such openings, con^ 

 nected vrith the stair way. The prospects, from these 

 look outSy were singularly extensive, diversified, and 

 interesting. But the bald and bleak m^ountains, small 

 streams, desert w^astes, and sombre bogs, oi Irelajid; 

 though parts of that country afford scenes of novelty j, 

 curious, and often grand and picturesque; cannot be 

 otherwise than dreary and unpleasant to an American ; 

 accustomed to boundless and stately forests, large ri- 

 vers, woody vales, wavy heights richly clad, and the 



variegated products, of nature in her prime 



pp 



