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Continued entries/extra info

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Under the head of antiquities Arbroath has been long celebrated for the ruins of its abbey.
This edifice was founded by King William the Lion in 1178 and dedicated to the memory of Thomas
a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. The precincts of the abbey were inclosed with a stone wall from
20 to 24 feet in height; and formed an area 1150 feet in length from north to south and in breadth
706 feet at the north and 484 at the south end. At the north-west corner there is a tower still entire
24 feet square and 70 feet high formerly used as the Regality prison. The ground flat is now converted
into a butcher's shop. Another tower somewhat smaller, stood at the south-west corner of the inclosure
which with the addition of a slated spire served for many years as a steeple to the present parish
Church. Having become ruinous it was taken down in 1830 and a remarkably handsome spire
152 feet in height has been erected in its place. The main entry to the area was by a stately porch
on the north side. If it had not been that a few years ago the vaulting was taken down under
an apprehension of insecurity this would have been entire. For defence it appears to have been
furnished with a portcullis which now forms the armorial bearings of the town of Arbroath. There
was another entry but far inferior in architectural display at the SE. [South East] corner known by the name
of the Darngate. A considerable portion of the north side of the inclosure was occupied by the abbey
Church. The dimensions of this building were length 270 feet length of transept 132 feet; of the nave
148 feet and of the choir 76½ feet, breadth of transept 45½ feet; of the central aisle 35; and of each
of the side aisles 16½ feet. From marks visible on the walls the height from the pavement to the
roof appears to have been 67 feet. The building is now in a state of ruin. All that remains is the
south wall with part of the east and west ends. A portion of the two western towers still exist
in a very mutilated condition. The great entrance at the west end of the church is entire
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