It Was The Vulgar Opinion That The Tower Was Built By Julius Caesar;
But, As I Have Before Shown, History
Informs us that Caesar made no
stay in England, that he erected no town or fortress, unless that
with which
He enclosed his ships on the coast of Kent, nor left a
single garrison or soldier in the island on his departure.
This Tower, as now encompassed, stands upon twelve acres of ground,
and something more, being of an irregular form, but approaching near
to that of an oblong, one of the longest sides lying next the river,
from whence it rises gradually towards the north, by a pretty deep
ascent, to the armoury, which stands upon the highest ground in the
Tower, overlooking the White Tower built by William the Conqueror,
and the remains of the castle below it on the Thames side, said to
be built by William Rufus.
As to the strength of the place, the works being all antique, would
not be able to hold out four-and-twenty hours against an army
prepared for a siege: the ditch indeed is of a great depth, and
upwards of a hundred feet broad, into which the water of the Thames
may be introduced at pleasure; but I question whether the walls on
the inside would bear the firing of their own guns: certain it is,
two or three battering-pieces would soon lay them even with the
ground, though, after all, the ditch alone is sufficient to defend
it against a sudden assault.
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