Chap. VI.
FRANCE.
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menced it in 1584, and finished it under Henry IV. in 1610. Navigators consider it thefinest in Europe , and the boldest in execution.
The island upon which it is built, being dry at low water, and wholly covered by thetide at high water, exhibits a bare rock 500 fathoms in length from north to south, and 250fathoms in width from east to west; the base of the edifice is a circle of 135 feetdiameter, over the whole extent of which the constructions are of solid masonry, exceptwhere the stone stairs are introduced, which commence at the level of high water; nearthem a cavity is formed 20 feet square, which serves as a cistern to hold fresh water, thisrises about 8 feet, including the arches which cover it: the remainder of the area isentirely composed of solid stonework, brought up to a level platform, which, as the wallsbatter all round, reduces the diameter to 125 feet. The staircase, which is carried up inthe solid, commences 4 feet above the rock in the east side, and serves to mount to theplatform; the ascent to it is by a ladder, and the opening is closed by strong woodendoors.
On the platform is a circle of 100 feet diameter, around which is a wall 12 feet6 inches in thickness, battering up to the height of 12 feet, where its thickness is only11 feet; its object being to resist the action of the western seas.
On this circular platform is constructed the tower which forms the lighthouse, thediameter of which is 50 feet, and the whole is carried up to the height of 115 feet: theseveral stories diminish as they approach the summit, on which was originally a stone lan-tern, or rather dome, supported upon eight stone mullions, with openings between them forthe passage of light.
The 25 feet space between the tower and the outer circular wall was occupied by severalsmall apartments, which served as lodging rooms for the attendants and store rooms.
The building is composed of four stories, and the apartments they contain were highly
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