the noble Castle of Stirling, situated on a rock, wild and romantick. "A rill of water runs neglected through the fields, obscured by pretty high banks. It is proposed that the water be raised in different places by stone buildings, imitating natural rocks, which will make some beautiful cascades. The banks to be planted with flowering shrubs, and access to the whole by gravel paths. The groupe will produce a mixture of sweetness and liveliness, which makes fine harmony in gardening, as well as in life. "There is a mass of wood, as you will recollect, near the house, of at least six or seven acres, grown up by neglect, to an impenetrable thicket. I ordered a path to be made in it, and, on my return from the circuit, was agreeably surprised to find a great variety of pleasing heights and hollows, which had lain quite concealed. I propose this for a winter-garden; sand-walks to be carried through it in all directions; and a variety of evergreens will afford shelter, verdure and dryfooting all the winter over. I enjoy this spot even by anticipation, the scene of many amusing thoughts with a sensible companion, and of meditation when alone. "But amongst my other plans, I have not forgot the spot pitched upon by you for a seat; and because every thing belonging to you should have something peculiar, the bottom to be free from wet, is contrived to fold up, and to have for its ornament, a plate of brass with this inscription, "Rest, and contemplate "the beauties of art and nature." "Did you never observe, that those naturally the most bashful, become, by habit, the most forward. The effort to surmount an obstacle gives an impulse that carries one to the opposite extreme. This is at present the case with your humble servant; for now he says, that were you ever so fatigued you must listen a little longer. A new edition of the Elements of Criticism is demanded, and, if you approve, I will add some remarks to the following purpose. In things merely ornamental, nothing can do better than to copy the works of nature. Hence the beauty of Chinese paper, imitating plants and flowers, flowered silks, &c. But in things made for use, the parts ought to be so constructed as to answer precisely their purpose. true, may admit of ornament ; but the constituent parts and the ornaments ought not to be jumbled together. I admit, for example, carved work on a chair, representing leaves or flowers; but what is the meaning of giving feet to a chair representing those of a lion, or of an eagle? What do you think of teaspoons made to imitate the leaf of a tree? A leaf is of all things the least proper for a spoon. And does not there lie the same objection against a fabrick for holding candles, composed of artificial branches and leaves, with artificial birds sitting. upon them? I will not dissemble, that my purpose in these questions is to draw you by degrees into a critical correspondence. Would it be too much for me to hope for your assistance in the intended new edition of the Elements ? I should be proud to have your name conjoined with mine in that work. Such things, it is "It is needless to fatigue you with explaining what has prevented my intended visit to Denton Hall at this time: several circumstances have made it impracticable. I do not despair of seeing you at London. But, at any rate, you are bound in gratitude to employ the first opportunity upon another visit to Blair Drummond, considering the changes that are to be made, and the money to be laid out upon your account. If we once get you there again, you shall not so easily escape as at first. Your landlady remarked on your departure, "Mrs. Montagu seems to be in a great hurry." Perhaps not, said I; but I did not care to press her, as I know you are not fond of new faces. "A most unlucky mistake," replied she; "for I know not such an agreeable woman, or so comfortable a companion: I could pass my life with her." And the same would be the taste of, Madam, your devoted servant; I hope in time to merit the appellation of your faithful friend, HENRY HOME." Letter 2. MRS. MONTAGU TO LORD KAMES. MY LORD, Denton, Nov. 4, 1766. “I never knew a wise and cel. ebrated person, who was not afraid to write a letter to a trifling correspondent; for when such a man looks down from the summit of his wisdom, and the pinnacle of his reputation, upon so low and minute an object as a common letter, his head begins to turn, and his sight to grow unsteady. So, Sir, take the pains and the penalties, with the painful preeminence of your elevation; I, who am on a level with such matters, enjoy the pleasure of writing without fear or wit, and the honour of corresponding with one who writes with both. Happily, whatever flows from the heart goes most directly to the obtaining of that friendship you so kindly offer, and I am so desirous to establish. whilst "I remember perfectly the walk your Lordship mentions, and all the beauties of that sweet place. It is happy for a person of your taste, to find in his morning's walk, the pastoral, the epick, and the tragick beauties. The gently murmuring river, the shady banks, the beautiful pastures, the noble castle of Stirling, rising in the pride of impregnable strength, defying force and time; and the ruined castle of the Regent, which brings to mind the tale of other times, the catastrophe of ambition, and the downfall of greatness, suggest the soft and tender, the sublime and the melancholy ideas, and exercise the various power and affections of the soul. Where there is this happy assemblage of poetick and romantick beauties, so properly adapted to his genius, we will sit and read the charming poet, who sings of Le Donne, i cavalieri, l'arme, gli amori, Le cortesie, l'audaci imprese. "I approve greatly of your lordship's scheme of making a winter garden. We are apt to do in our gardens, as we do in our minds; to cultivate the gay ornaments of the summer season, and aim at having all those things, which flourish by mild sunshine, and gracious dews; forgetful of the rude elements of hu man life, and regardless of the seasons of unfriendly and churlish weather, when sunbeams warm no Sage is the gardener who procures more, and chilling hoar-frosts fall. a friendly shelter of ever-greens to and cultivates the winter plants that him from December storms, protect adorn and enliven the dreary season, He is but half a philosopher, who, when the gardens of Epicurus are out of bloom, cannot retire into the Stoick's walk; and he is too much one, who would rigidly prohibit the gay flowers and sweet aromatics of the summer, and sit always under the cypress shade : so I expect to find the roses and carnations at Blair-Drummond in June, as well as the snowdrop and cyclamen in December. Your winter garden will be a moral lesson, as well as a pleasant walk for your posterity, recommended to their cultivation, unfading merits and faithful friends. "I am very glad there is going to be a new edition of the Elements of Criticism, as I hope the work will be enlarged. Your Lordship does me very unmerited honour, in wishing my name joined to yours in that work; it would be like setting the impression of my silver thimble beside the broad seal of England. "I agree entirely with your Lordship, that in things of use, the ornamental part should be subordinate, and the propriety and fitness to its purpose should be apparent. The feet of a chair should express steadiness and firmness. A claw, whether of lion or eagle, is absurd; as the business of it is not to snatch or tear, but to support. Foliages round the frame of a chair or table, are not improper, they adorn the form, without perverting it; and such ornaments are so natural, we may suppose, that in the ages of simplicity, in honour of extraordinary guests, or to add a gaiety to feasts, flowers and branches were put on them. We have fine Gothick buildings in this country, and we have imported Grecian and Roman architecture; but in regard to les meubles, we are still in a very barbarous state. I think I could explain why we are so, if my letter was not already too long, to admit of tracing these things to their sources: so I shall only observe, that the old Goths loved punning, and their most polite * Lord Kames inserted these observations with some alterations, in a note in the new edition of "Elements of Criticism." descendants are addicted to concetti. The tealeaf imitated in a teaspoon, is most absurd; but in the infancy and decline of taste, the imagination sports with resemblances, relations and analogies; too weak to form a complete design, it pursues some hint given by the nature of the thing to be adorned. I do not know whether I express my self intelligibly, but I mean something, though I am puzzled to communicate that meaning I may say, as a certain French author does, however, Si je ne m'entends pas, je me devine.* : "I am more than vain, I am proud of Mrs. Drummond's partiality. I desire your Lordship to keep up my interest in that lady. She has so perfectly gained my esteem, that I should be grieved and mortified to lose any share of hers which she ever honoured me with. I had the honour of a most polite and agreeable letter from her. I desire my most respectful compliments to her. I am rejoiced to find your Lordship thinks of being in London this winter. I hope Mrs. Drummond and your son will be of the party.—I am, with great esteem, my Lord, &c. &c. ELIZ. MONTAGU." *The Lady expresses her meaning with great perspicuity. But even in an age of refined taste, an inventive fancy may sport itself capriciously without offence in works where show is combined with utility. Some of the Etruscan utensils, (as their lamps) are fantastical in the highest degree, both in their forms and decorations; and the taste is not to most convenient form for its office, nor ture; but if the utensil performs its purpose tolerably, and the workmanship is excellent, we do not admire it the less for the conceit, POETRY. 1000000000000◄ SELECTED. ELEGY, OCCASIONED BY THE LOSS OF SEVERAL VALUED FRIENDS, WHOSE DEATHS SPEEDILY FOLLOWED EACH OTHER. POWERS, not alone, that what appears, perceive, POWERS, at the magick of whose rousing voice, Are THESE but works of blindly labouring clay? It is not so they cannot be extinct : Yes, ye, that, kept by Memory's wondrous skill, As firmly fixt abide in being still; 'Tis not alone your lov'd ideas wear, To this fair hope my trusting bosom clings: |