TOWER, a building of great height in proportion to its horizontal dimensions, usually forming an adjunct to a larger building, and employed as a belfry, stronghold, watch, or beaccaf. Amongst the Romans, structures of this kind do not seem to have been very numerous; and when employed, they were not very lofty : they were of various forms. In the castles of the feudal ages, towers were very necessary ; the keep usually consisted of a large square tower, with smaller ones at the angles, which were generally elevated above the central one. Sometimes, however, the keep is circular, and occasionally of irregular forms. Towers are also common at the entrances of other positions in fortifica tions. Churches are seldom found without an addition of this nature, either with or without a pyramidal spire. Church towers are sometimes detached from the main building. but most frequently adjoining ; they are of various forms, designs, and proportions, and are found in every position, except at the east end of the chancel. Cathedrals and larger churches frequently have more than one tower, the most usual num ber being three, one at the intersection of nave and transept, and two others at the west end ; sometimes the transepts are flanked with towers, as at Exeter. Smaller churches have
only one tower which is variously situated, but as a rule, at the west end of nave, or in cruciform churches at the inter section. See CASTLE, CHURCH, CATHEDRAL, GOTHIC ACIII TECTURE, and ROUND TOWN, (from the Saxon, ton,) a collection of houses, walled round about for the defence of its inhabitants.
During the feudal system, when many inhabitants lived together, a wall surrounding their habitations was necessary, and now, though this system is abolished, and the surround ing walls have either gone to ruin, or have been taken down to extend the boundaries for habitation, the collection of houses still retains the name of town.
Tows-I IALL, a public hall in which the business of a town is transacted. It answers in some respects to the ancient basilica.