MEMOIR OF TPIE AUTHOR. 



xi 



the building. Between the first and later additions to the 

 house at Allanton, a period of about thirty years inter- 

 vened ; and as these ^additions were made on a pretty 

 extensive scale — though much of the ancient building still 

 remains — this circumstance, together with the destruction 

 of the tower, gives the present building rather a modern 

 appearance. Other additions and improvements contem- 

 plated by Sir Henry, wdth the view of making the mansion- 

 house still more in keeping with the extensive improve- 

 ments on the park surrounding it, which will be after- 

 wards referred to, have not yet been carried into effect. 

 It may also farther be mentioned, that the park at that 

 time — the scene afterwards of his wonderful triumph of art 

 over nature — was as little distinguished for beauty or 

 improvement as it subsequently became celebrated for 

 both these marks of distinction. To use the significant 

 language of Sir Walter Scott at a subsequent period, 

 — "The park at Allanton had then no pretensions to 

 beauty, and wsisjust not ugly"'^ 



With his natural taste and energy of character. Sir 

 Henry bent himself resolutely to the improvement of his 

 property, and commenced at the same time a series of 

 experiments on arboriculture, which more or less occupied 

 his attention for upwards of forty years of his life. We 



* The old house at Allanton was on one occasion visited by no less a person 

 than Oliver Cromwell. " It is recorded" (we learn from Crawford's History of 

 Renfrewshire) " that Oliver Cromwell, in 1650, after the battle of Dunbar, in his 

 progress through Lanarkshire, halted with a few attendants at Allanton House;, 

 where he was hospitably entertained by Lady Steuart, and where he passed the 

 night. Sir Walter, being a royalist, took care to be out of the way. On the 

 Protector's arrival, as it is said, some choice canary and other refreshments 

 were presented, but he would suffer nothing to be touched until he himself had 

 first said grace, which he fervently did for more than half an hour, to the great 

 edification of the lady ! He then courteously inquired after Sir Walter, and 

 on drinking the health of the family, observed that ' his mother was a Steuart, 

 and that he always felt a kindness for the name !' This, and sevei-al other 

 characteristic anecdotes of the visit are still presei-ved." 



