State of Gardening in Ireland, 149 



dens are well kept in every department : the drest-grounds are 

 upon a large scale, and contain an extensive collection of 

 shrubs. In short, the whole place forms a striking contrast 

 to those around. 



Slane-Castle, the princely seat of the Marquis of Conyng- 

 hame, is also situate on the Boyne, about five miles above 

 Townly-Hall. The view of this place from the rising grounds 

 on the south, comprehending the village, bridge, and mill of 

 Slane, is perhaps the richest, if not the most beautiful in this 

 part of the country. The demesne was laid out by the late 

 Mr. Sutherland, about sixty years ago, then in the hey-day of 

 his youth and fancy, and exhibits many of the beauties and 

 defects peculiar to his style. Prejudging of effects, and har- 

 monising the outlines with the surrounding scenery, seem mat- 

 ters too often lost sight of by him in some of his happiest de- 

 signs, and he practised at a time when fancy might have its 

 flight. The castle is situated on a small promontory, round 

 which glides the deep and sullen waters of the Boyne. From 

 hence a fine circuitous stretch of the river is seen to the east- 

 ward, and gradually losing itself under the umbrageous accli- 

 vity which on this point terminates the demesne. A casual 

 effect as to tinting has been produced by a few evergreen oaks, 

 which have been thrown into a broken recess on this finely 

 wooded slope. This is evidently the result of accident, as, 

 although this and many other parts of the demesne would in 

 every sense justify grouping, so as to produce a diversity by 

 their various tints, no attention whatever has been paid to the 

 subject. The gardens and plantations of this place have been 

 long neglected ; not but gardeners of first-rate talents, with 

 competent means, have been employed ; but a favourite do- 

 mestic, whose word was a law, during the long absence of the 

 family, so managed as to thwart every improvement, and to 

 render the situation utterly untenable. Now that this ob- 

 struction has been removed, and a competent person (Mr. 

 Guthrie) brought over from London, the place will soon be 

 reclaimed from the state of neglect in which it has so long lain. 

 There are here some beautiful detached forest-trees ; and the 

 most picturesque acacia, (Robinia,) we remember to have seen, 

 stands neglected in the eastern plantation. As a proof of the 

 powers of the Canadian poplar to resist the storm, we may 

 refer to the. wood in question : on the most exposed point of 

 which, when the oak, elm, &c. have been more or less injured, 

 this tree bears up stoutly against the boisterous south-west 

 blast. 



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