CHAP. XX.

The Martello Towers.

THIS description of fortification, of which the original idea may perhaps have been borrowed from the forts which King Henry VIII. caused to be erected, was deemed of so much importance in the late war, that almost incalculable, and certainly enormous sums of money, were expended upon the construction of towers along the whole line of the coast.

They are, with very few exceptions, built upon one uniform plan, and of similar height and dimensions. An examination of the interior of one of them affords, therefore, a complete idea of the rest, and supplies all that curiosity can desire to know of their arrangement. The height is usually about thirty feet, the diameter at the top twenty-two feet within the parapet, with a projecting ledge or step about a foot high all round; the parapet, including that step, being about six feet high. The roof is vaulted and bomb-proof. In the centre of the platform, on the summit, is a twenty-four pounder mounted on a traversing carriage, and of course capable of being pointed in any direction which may be required; and elevated so as to rake and command the coast. The building is of brick-work,

from five to eight feet in thickness; circular, gradually tapering from the foundation to the top; and having in the centre a very large pillar, from which springs an arch abutted by the outer walls. The foundation appears to be laid at a great depth, and is likewise vaulted, with the convexity downward; and in this part is a reservoir of water.

In situations where the towers have been built upon a low beach close to the sea, a smaller portion of the cone is beneath the surface of the ground. Where they have been erected upon a hill, and circumstances would permit, or the nature of the soil rendered it preferable, a pit has been dug in the rock, and the tower erected in the centre of it; the entrance being by means of a drawbridge across the ditch thus made to enclose the building. The door, which is narrow, and composed of thick plates of copper, being at the end of the bridge, derives additional security from a portion of the latter, which, when drawn up by the chains affixed to it, forms a sort of portcullis, and completely barricades the approach. There are three stories: in the lower one are deposited the ammunition and stores; the central division contains a separate apartment for an officer, partitioned off from the common barrackroom, which contains beds for twenty or thirty soldiers; and the upper story is the platform beforementioned, the ascent to it being by a stone staircase, and the whole rendered secure from the effects of fire within, as well as hostilities without.

Those towers which are not enclosed by a fosse, have a strong ladder of steps, so narrow as to allow

of but one person ascending at a time, fitted to the door-way, and made to draw up within the building; and the light is admitted through two small windows placed on that side of the tower which is least exposed to the probable attack of an enemy.

In this particular, the Martello towers seem capable of great improvement, which might be effected without diminishing their security. Light and air are so essential to cleanliness and health, that the strongest motive, necessity alone, can justify an abridgment of those comforts. If instead of small square windows there had been high and narrow openings in an oblique direction through the walls, not only light and air, but the rays of the sun, might have been admitted, without in the least degree exposing those who were within to inconvenience or danger, or impairing the strength of the building. Constructed as they are at present, the gloom of twilight renders the apartments very uncomfortable, and adds very unnecessarily to the dreariness of such an habitation.

There are about ten towers upon this line of coast with two guns instead of one upon the platform, a twenty-four pounder, and a five and half inch howitzer. The building is always placed as near as possible to the water, unless some commanding eminence within the range of the guns, presents a more commodious situation; and there are very few of these fortresses exposed to any but very distant or random shot from ships, or even gun-boats, if such should presume to approach.

Their necessity has been disputed, their utility de

nied, and the immense expense of their construction abundantly censured, both in and out of parliament. Whether they have in fact contributed in any degree to make the coast more secure from an enemy, happily for the country, has never been put to the proof. May they long remain, as at present, a bloodless trophy, the monuments of vigilance and zeal on the part of government, and useless ornaments of the coast, rather than necessary guardians of its security!

The range of Martello towers commences at Copp Point, between Dover and Folkstone; and they are built within point blank shot of each other, along the whole southern line of the Kentish coast.

CHAP. XXI.

Sandgate.-Shorn Cliff-Saltwood Castle.

DESCENDING a steep hill into Sandgate, the castle built there by Henry VIII. (and part of it recently converted into a Martello tower, of larger size than usual, and built with stone instead of brick) is the first object which presents itself. It stands on the beach, and so near the water's edge that its walls are frequently washed by the surf. Whether this building was originally more extensive than at present, may be doubted; for there are no vestiges of its ancient walls to be traced: but unless it has been considerably reduced in size since Queen Elizabeth was lodged and entertained in it, when her Majesty made a progress hither in 1588, fewer attendants could have been admitted in her train than usually follow the steps of royalty.

A more ancient castle had undoubtedly been situated here (but whether exactly on the same spot is now unknown) in the time of Richard II. who directed the keeper of the Castle of Sandgate, to admit Henry of Lancaster, Duke of Hereford (afterwards King Henry IV.) with his family, horses, &c. to remain there for certain days. In that reign lunettes of stone, with port-holes and batteries, were added to the castle by command of the King. There is also said to have been a round tower in the middle,