the Seat of the late Sir Hewy Steuart. 1 7 



arrived at by a gradual ascent from the bridge. On the lawn in 

 front of the house stand most of the largest trees, which Sir 

 Henry Steuart first transplanted, and which are incredibly vigor- 

 ous. To mention one in particular; a beech, which feathers to 

 the ground in such a manner as to hide the trunk, is so unusu- 

 ally luxuriant, that it is evidently improved by having been 

 removed ; and, indeed, with very few exceptions, this observa- 

 tion applies to every tree in the park which has undergone the 

 Steuart operation. The limes, horsechestnuts, and double thorns, 

 surrounding the house, are worthy of particular notice and ad- 

 miration. With regard to the general shape of the trees, they 

 have unusually thick trunks, that is, in proportion to their 

 height; with extremely spreading and well-balanced heads, and 

 foliage of uncommon density. It also must not be omitted to 

 observe, that, although the park lies very much open to the 

 south-west, there is not a single tree to be seen out of the per- 

 pendicular, although they were placed upon their sites without 

 props. 



In viewing the scenery from the house, the park appears 

 more extensive than it really is, owing to the judgment displayed 

 in the general grouping of the trees : and the lake, which was 

 excavated subsequently to the erection of the house, could not 

 be better placed ; as it is situated longitudinally, as viewed from 

 the latter, and tl^us comes in very pleasing perspective. On 

 walking round the water, the most interest is observable, as a 

 picture, at its termination, and at its greatest width. Thus, on 

 looking towards the north-east, opposite a small island, the eye 

 is immediately conducted across the lake towards the bridge, 

 v^^hich becomes a very conspicuous feature ; because it is at the 

 base of the hill upon which the house stands, and nearly under 

 it, so that it architecturally unites the latter with the landscape 

 most admirably. The shores, also, present an outline the very 

 reverse of the view looking from the bridge; and thus is illus- 

 ti'ated in a most satisfactory manner the artistical advantages of 

 foreshortening. Unfortunately, however, as at many other places, 

 a composition so accidentally complete is not made available 

 with regard to the approach or any private drive, but must be 

 sought after by the amateur of the picturesque. It certainly 

 excels every other view about the place. 



The excavated soil of the lake has served to raise the ground 

 at its termination, which is thickly planted, and shuts out an 

 adjoining high road. 



The east lodge, like the west, is standing in a recess, only less 

 deep. Here the trees are so thick as truly to form a feature of 

 parallelism with the opposite hedge of the high road. The 

 width of the approach road, however, is somewhat better, being 

 10 ft. 



Vol. XIV. — No. 94. c 



