Page:The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century (1887) - Volume 2.djvu/246

FOURTH PERIOD 230 CASTLE ERASER to suppose, from the great contrast between the lower and upper por- tions of the building, that they are of different periods. But with this explanation all the features of the building are harmonised. The large plain square windows of the south elevation,, the fanciful corbelling divided into numerous minute members, the cable and billet mouldings so profusely employed, the large angle turrets two stories in height, with elliptical windows in the upper story and lozenge- shaped shot-holes below, the balustraded parapet of the great round tower, and the ogee-shaped roof of the small arcaded turret adjoining, are, as pointed out in the Introduction to the Fourth Period, all features characteristic of a late date in the style. It will also be observed that there are here abundant examples of the false use of gargoyles, and their application for ornamental purposes only, which was also referred to in the Introduction, those of the central string-course of the round tower, as also those in the corbel table of the angle turrets, and under the dormers, being inserted where there are one, two, and three stories between them and the roof from which they are supposed to conduct the rain-water. In the principal edifice the details are, however (except the balus- trade), perfectly Scottish in style, but in the buildings which form the courtyard, and which were added about forty years afterwards, the Renaissance style is beginning to make itself felt in the pediments of the dormers, the sections of the mouldings, etc. This castle was originally called Muchel in Mar. The Frasers acquired the lands in 1454-, when they exchanged lands in Stirlingshire for them, and the estate has since continued in the same family, the present proprietor being Colonel Charles Fraser. Mr. Skene describes a remarkable contrivance for secret espionage which exists at Castle Fraser. We have pointed out several examples of " spy-holes," but we have not met with any instance on so large and com- plete a scale as this one. The object of this arrangement was to overhear the conversations of the inmates or guests of the mansion, "a system," as Mr. Skene observes, " singularly illustrative of the treachery and cunning prevalent in the manners of the time, when no man could trust to a neighbour's house even under the sanctuary of his hospitality." The following description and the illustrations (Fig. 683) are from Mr. Skene' s MS. " These contrivances by which an unsuspecting confidence might be betrayed were characteristically denominated * Lugs ' or ears, and one of them enclosed in the concealment of the wall was lately discovered at Castle Fraser, communicating from above directly to that recess in the hall " (viz., the end window having the seats round it), " where a con- fidential conversation would be most likely to take place." Of course, from the hall there is no indication of the existence of such a con- trivance, which may be thus briefly described :