SECOND PERIOD 218 CRICHTON CASTLE (Fig. 181), which seems to have been used in connection with the upper hall or withdrawing-room. The corbels and holes in the wall may still be seen (Figs. 182, 183) which carried an overhanging wooden passage projected on the east side of this floor, and containing a service window from the upper kitchen. The object of this arrange- ment seems to have been to give access from this kitchen to the upper hall without passing through the corner block and interfering with its use as bedrooms. The upper hall would thus appear to have served as a private dining-room, as well as a withdrawing-room. Fig. 180 shows the massive and imposing character of the buildings added in the fifteenth century, the corbelling and machicolations being of unusual magnitude. In the seventeenth century the use of private dining and reception rooms, quite distinct from the hall and public reception rooms, came into fashion. This seems to have been the motive for the erection of the suite of apartments on the north side of the quadrangle. FIG. 185. Caps of Corridor and Central Monogram above. FIG. 186. Crichton Castle. Plan showing Position of Outbuilding. About this date too the old turnpike form of staircases gave way to more spacious and commodious square stairs. The new buildings contain all the newest requirements. They are
