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the sides were fastened on. The period of the construction of this 

 canoe I am inclined to fix in the age of Bronze. In Denmark, the 

 Bronze age is always associated with the oak ; and the lake dwellings 

 in the central and western portions of Switzerland belong exclusively 

 to that period. Though much fine work has appeared from flint imple- 

 ments, and though lake dwellings of the Stone period are frequent in 

 eastern Switzerland, yet the size and finish of this relic point to a 

 period of sharp cutting tools. The old bronze, rivalling in temper and 

 strength our modem steel, would naturally furnish weapons of the re- 

 quisite toughness to fashion the arrowy and curved sides of this admi- 

 rable specimen of early naval architecture. But, if the boat is later in 

 date than the Stone, it would seem to be earlier than the Iron age. In 

 this age saws appear for the first time. Careful search has never 

 brought to light a bronze saw. Now, if you have a saw, you do not 

 hollow a boat forty-two feet long out of a single tree ; it saves time 

 and labour to build it of planks. Robinson Crusoe, who had only an 

 axe, did not dream of doing so ; with infinite trouble he chopped the 

 Btems of trees into planks to construct his boat. Thus, I should be in- 

 clined to say that this boat belongs to the close of the Bronze period, 

 when bronze tools had arrived at some perfection; or to the early dawn 

 of the Iron age, before saws were known or in general use. 



A very few words as to the method used to raise the boat from the 

 bed of the lake, and to bring it to shore. The credit of this difficult 

 work is due to Mr. Adams Eeilly — a gentleman who I am happy to 

 say is present this evening ; and if I fall into error, he can correct me. 

 "When found in situ, the canoe was resting on the peat. Fortunately, 

 owing to the droughts of last summer, the lake had shoaled to five feet 

 of water. The first step taken was to lighten it of the deposit of lake 

 mud. In this mud were found some bones (not human); and an old copper 

 ring, which may have come off some angler's rod. Piles were then 

 driven down into the lake on either side of the bow of the boat ; across 

 their heads was placed a timber platform, which bore a windlass fitted 

 with a stout chain. This chain was first passed under the bows, and hove 

 on ; and immediately, the hinder part still remaining firm, the bows 

 were brought to the level of the water. The chain was then passed 

 astern, and fastened to two of the holes amidships. In front of the 

 bows was placed a light wooden raft, or cradle, constructed for the 

 purpose of keeping the boat's head up. It was now drawn forward by the 

 windlass, so that the head lay supported on the raft ; and the stern, 

 which was immediately afterwards raised, was brought beneath the 

 platform. With her after portion buoyed up by two boats, she was 

 taken in tow by -a third boat, manned by Westmeath boys, and con- 

 veyed a mile and a half down the lake, when for the first time —for 

 how many years shall I say ? — she touched the shore. With the aid of 

 horses, wheels, rollers, and the usual assembly of rustics who attend on 

 such ceremonies, it was conveyed up to Levington Park in the beginning 

 of last September. An object of considerable interest and attraction to 



