1864.] 



The Pillar Towers of the British Islands. 



555 



the dressing and arrangement not being so good as in the other 

 classes. Like the early erect stones or obelisks of the North East of 

 Scotland, they were numerous and were erected by Pagan workmen ; 

 but they underwent considerable changes as the people advanced in 

 knowledge, social position and religious opinions* 



These are examples of the primitive Pillar Towers, which appear to 

 have been erected by Buddhists between the first and the fourth centuries, 

 as is indicated by the sacred symbols of the sun or deity. They were 

 unacquainted with the use of the arch. This is a strong indication of 

 their Asiatic origin : for, amidst the most graceful and splendid remains 

 of Buddhism, in Asia, the absence of the arch is most striking. It was 

 with the object of propagating their faith, that the Buddhist Missionaries 

 visited Ireland ;: and at this early period they would find the country in a 

 rude condition, and governed by numerous chieftains in constant collision 

 with each other, while exposed to the inroads of seafaring robbers : not 

 united enough to resist effectually, but too strong to submit to their 

 tyranny. It was among these turbulent factions that the Buddhists first 

 found it necessary to erect the Pillar Towers, both as a sacred emblem, 

 and as the most simple and effectual means of obtaining personal 

 security, as well as a safe deposit for the sacred relics and most precious 

 effects of their religious worship. 



The Chinese Travellers who visited India to study the Buddhist 

 religion, and saw the use to which the Pillar Towers were put, enable 

 us to explain the means employed to call the congregation to their 

 devotions. This was done by the use of cymbals, horns, and drums; 

 and this explains the use to which the brass trumpets were put, which 

 are still sometimes found in the neighbourhood of the Pillar Towers 

 in Ireland. 



Besides the Pillar Towers figures of which are given, the following 

 belong to this division : that of Luck in the county of Dublin ; those 

 of Tighado, Kilclare ;, and Clones, Monaghan. 



The Towers of the second class were constructed during the transi- 

 tion period, and were built by native artists as sacred monuments, 

 and owing to their acquired power, with more care and skill than 

 the primitive towers. This may explain the retention in general of 

 the distinctive form of the earlier edifices, which were intended as 

 safe places of retreat and defence, 



4 b 2 



