The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of StCanice, Kilkenny . le-gend of miraculous agency applied to their trans-port. At Kilkenny, in the centre of a limestonedistrict, we find these builders trying the graydolomite, because it looked like sandstone,—al-though it forms, in consequence of its cavernousnature, an indifferent building stone,—and trans-porting large blocks of sandstone from a distanceof eight or nine miles. The superior quality ofthe limestone, however, soon recommended itselfto the favour of the builders of the Round Towerof St. Canice, and we find,
The history, architecture, and antiquities of the cathedral church of StCanice, Kilkenny . le-gend of miraculous agency applied to their trans-port. At Kilkenny, in the centre of a limestonedistrict, we find these builders trying the graydolomite, because it looked like sandstone,—al-though it forms, in consequence of its cavernousnature, an indifferent building stone,—and trans-porting large blocks of sandstone from a distanceof eight or nine miles. The superior quality ofthe limestone, however, soon recommended itselfto the favour of the builders of the Round Towerof St. Canice, and we find, as above observed, thegreat mass of the structure composed of it. CHAP. IV.] THE ROUND TOWER. Ill panying engraving, is devoid of ornament; it has inclined jambs, and a semi-circular head, composed of three stones, which run through the wall, but arenot put together on the true principle of the arch, the door-head being rathercut out of, than formed of, them: their two upper joints are not straight lines,being slightly dished, or curved, to receive the quasi key-stone. The annexed. Xo. 26. representation, drawn on the block by the writer with the most scrupulous care,and faithfully engraved by Mr. Hanlon, of Dublin, shows the external appear-ance of the doorway, taken before the joints of the lower part of the towerwere pointed with mortar, some years since: the scale is an inch to half a two stones which form the silla are of the mountain limestone, the jambs ? A third stone was added internally -when the tower was furnished with floors in 1847 Q 112 THE ROUND TOWER. [sect. r. are composed of dolomite, and the stones of the head are of grit. Thejointing and dressing of the jambs, but especially of the head, are verycarefully executed, in fine punched work. Just below the spring of the archon the east side, two of three stones forming a course are slightly higherthan the third, and the superincumbent arch stone is accurately joggled tosuit the inequality. The exte
Size: 1373px × 1820px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookidhistoryarchi, bookyear1857
