311 



Sir Uvedale Price, and Downtoii Castle, the romantic seat of 

 that accomplished scholar, the late Mr. Payne Knight, afford, 

 as I am informed, splendid examples of the contrary. Thoso 

 fine subjects are said to have been laid out, or at least im- 

 proved in their most striking features, by the owners them- 

 selves ; from which we can only conclude, that those eminent 

 individuals possessed great practical skill, as well as culti- 

 vated taste, however they might have acquired it. On any 

 other supposition, it w^ould be to believe an effect to exist 

 without an adequate cause, which is impossible. 



Perhaps the merits of both sides of the question may be 

 shortly summed up, in reference to the example just now 

 quoted. On the one hand, it is probable, that Sir Uvedale 

 Price and Mr. Knight possessed a much more intimate 

 acquaintance with the capabilities of their own places, than 

 any professional person could have possessed, had he been 

 consulted. On the other hand, without any disparagement 

 of those highly-gifted men, we may b«lieve, that such a per- 

 son, if properly qualified as an artist, would no less have 

 excelled them in practical skill, and useful experience. — It is 

 impossible to pursue the subject farther in this place, but it 

 well merits a separate discussion. 



