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Gentleman's Magazine 1855 part 1 p.144
Trustees of the Town Lands, and Mr. Postlethwaite, (the
Lessee,) gave their willing consent, - the latter gentelman
allowing free access to the Tower at all times, and
obligingly taking it under his own charge.
The first stone was laid, in the presence of 8000 people, on
the 15th May, 1850, and the Tower completed at the close of
the same year. The following description of the structure
was written by Mr. Andrew Trimen, its architect:
The plan of the tower is circular, with a spreading base,
the general form being similar to that of the Eddystone; the
lantern however in this case is of the same material as the
general structure, and forms a consistent architectural
feature.
The structure is based on the solid limestone rock, of which
the Hoad Hill is composed, and which was found immediately
under the turf at the summit. The ring immediately above the
surface is 150 feet in circuit, being wrought in stone, and
forming a set-off or base, two feet in width, from which the
surrounding panorama, one of the most beautiful in England,
may be contemplated in all directions. The thickness of the
wall, at the surface, is twelve feet six inches, intersected
with a dry chamber five feet at the base. The wall
diminishes in thickness from twelve feet six inches to two
feet at the cornice, which is wrought of massive limestone.
The whole of the lantern and the dome is formed of the same
material, being wrought within and without. The steps of the
door, and window jambs, the several rings of set-offs, are
all in the durable wrought limestone of the neighbourhood.
The general walling is in the same stone, and hammered to a
sufficiently correct form. The lime of the mortar is from
the same material, and set so hard, that, as the whole is
compactly built (every stone being completely bedded in the
mortar, and every joint completely flushed or filled,) in a
short time the walls, it is expected, will form one
thickness, of a most strong and lasting character.
Probably no stone and mortar with which we are acquainted is
better calculated to resist all influences of weather than
that of Furness, and this monument, we trust, bids fair to
stand as lasting a record as any in the island of an event
of the age.
The interior is approached from due south by a wide flight
of steps, on the right of which will be observed the "First
Stone," with its inscription:-
ON THE 15TH MAY, A.D. 1850,
IN THE 13TH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF
HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY, QUEEN VICTORIA, SIR GEORGE
BARROW, BART.
AND JOHN BARROW, ESQ. F.R.S.
DEPOSITED THIS STONE TO RECORD THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE
TESTIMONIAL TO THE LATE SIR JOHN BARROW, BART.
ANDREW TRIMEN, ARCHITECT.
Over the entrance door are cut in bold relief the words:-
IN HONOUR OF
SIR JOHN BARROW, BART.
ERECTED A.D. 1850.
The saloon, or principal floor, is elevated about seven feet
from the hill, thus furnishing a basement beneath. This
apartment is eighteen feet nine inches in diameter, having
deeply recessed windows to the cardinal points, the view
from each of which can be scarcely equalled, either for
sublimity or variety of beauty. A stove and range are formed
in the recess of the west window.
Iron girders form the skeletons of the several floors, so
that the whole may be fireproof. The lantern is gained by a
solid flight of stone stairs, protected by an ornamental
iron balustrade, cast on the spot from the valuable ore
procured from the base of Hoad. The pattern is of the
fifteenth century, each exhibiting the initials J. B. The
visitor, while winding the surface of the interior of the
cone, is cheered by an occasional peep from the several
windows with which the sides are pierced, and reminded of
the reward of the beautiful prospect that awaits him at the
summit.
The interior of the lantern is nine feet four inches in
diameter, and perforated with eight circular openings: the
same number of pilasters support the entablature and dome;
around the interior are graven the words Soli Deo
Gloria.
A flag-staff of due proportions is fixed from the lantern,
from which the flag of the nation, (a line-of-battle ship's
Union Jack, presented by the Lords of the Admiralty, as a
mark of their respect to the memory of Sir John Barrow,)
wafted by his native mountain breezes, will announce to
generations yet unborn that the day of birth of true
greatness excites a na-
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