beauty of execution, is considered a remarkably fine specimen of the architectural remains of the 14th century. On the left the venerable Cæsar's Tower--said to be coeval with the Norman conquest-arrests the attention; it is of irregular construction, and, although it has braved the ravages of time and the depredations of man for nearly 800 years, still continues firm as the rock on which it is founded. This tower rises to the height of 147 feet from its base, and is also machicolated. It is connected with Guy's Tower by means of a strong embattled wall, in the centre of which is the ponderous arched gateway, flanked by towers and succeeded by a second arched gateway, with towers and battlements rising far above the first; they were formerly defended by two portcullises, one of which still remains: before the whole is a now disused moat, with an arch thrown over it at the gateway, where formerly was the drawbridge. Passing the double gateway the stranger enters the inner court, where a scene is presented to the view which excites feelings of admiration. The spacious area of the court is clothed by a carpet of rich green sward. But the "remnant of ancient days" arrests the imagination; on the left stands the grand irregular castellated mansion of the feudal barons of Warwick—a residence truly fit for the "mighty chiefs " who have been its possessors. Uninjured by time, unaltered in appearance by modern improvements, it still retains that bold, irregular, pleasing outline, so peculiar to the ancient Gothic castellated style; on the left is also Cæsar's Tower. In the front is the Mount or Keep, clothed from its base to its summit with trees and shrubs; the top of this mount is crowned with towers and battlements, in the centre of which is a Gothic gateway closed by an iron grating, the light breaking through which relieves the heaviness of the battlements, and produces a pleasing effect. On the right appear two unfinished towers; one of which is the Bear Tower, begun by Richard III.,* and at the extreme termination on the right is the lofty and commanding Guy's Tower; the whole range is joined together by ramparts and embattled walls of amazing thickness; open flights of steps. and broad walks on the tops of the walls leads to the various towers and turrets, and thus a communication is formed with the whole fortress. The scene is a truly grand one, "and so perfect is the fascination, that it would be difficult to say what might be added that could improve, or what might be taken away that would not injure the effect of the whole." THE GREAT HALL. is entered from the inner court by a flight of stone steps, under a Gothic porch; it is peculiarly fitted for the profuse * In this tower is a flight of steps descending into a subterranean passage. This, however, is now closed, and whither it led is mere matter of conjecture. |