443 



restrain him, was so goaded by the infuriated animal that he 

 died on the following day. Some pigs were also killed by the 

 falling of the wall, and all this was supposed to have occurred 

 through the agency of the insulted genius of the castle. Thus 

 the removal of the head was thought likely to be succeeded 

 by a more disastrous course of events ; but fortunately nothing 

 since has occurred of such a nature, as indeed I ventured to 

 promise. I may here remark, that the stone of which the head 

 is composed is found in blocks under the foundation of the 

 castle, but nowhere else in the vicinity. 



" 1 have been for most of the last week engaged in 

 opening the Killeens Fort, situated about two miles north 

 of this city. For two days our men were unsuccessful, but 

 on the third 1 found out the crypt. I would recommend all 

 my friends, when they go to explore a fort, at first to sound 

 (if the entrance is not visible) with a long iron crowbar in 

 difi'erent parts of it. Supposing a line drawn from east to 

 west dividing the fort, let a strong workman be employed 

 at each side of it. If this principle be adopted the flags will 

 in most cases be certainly met with. If the ceiling of the 

 cave be formed of earth the bar will disappear. Many a time 

 I fervently wished that it would. I enclose a sketch show- 

 ing the position of the cave, and a section of the cave of the 

 fort, as far as I have discovered. The flags of the ceiling 

 are of an enormous size, and are supported by huge blocks 

 of stone, some of limestone (which is not found in this part 

 of the country). But I regret to say that 1 have as yet dis- 

 covered no inscription in this fort, which is the chief reason 

 why I have opened so many of these places. However, when 

 we have removed all the rubbish and clay with which the 

 place is partly filled, I may be more fortunate. My great ob- 

 ject is to examine all the forts for some miles round Cork. 

 Although the work proceeds slowly, yet the investigation is 

 accurate ; but 1 assure you many diSiculties present them- 

 selves during these operations when least expected. We have 



