82

THE BERCEAU WALK.

we had a very fine view of the lake, nearly the same as that from the seat we had just left. In this temple is a very fine cast from the celebrated Venus de Medicis.

FROM hence we were conducted by a beautiful shaded walk, along the banks of the Tay, towards the house. The branches of the lime trees approach and meet each other over our heads, at a great height, forming a fine gothic avenue, with all the gloomy grandeur of a cathedral. Some very ingenious writers have supposed that such an avenue gave the first hint to the artist who introduced this style of architecture.

THIS avenue is called the berceau walk, and is four hundred and fifty yards long. It has been much blamed by some tourists, as being too artificial; but no person, I think, can enter it without being struck with its magnificence: and there are few, I should imagine, who will not experience a pleasing and awful sensation on contemplating the solemnity of this gothic arch. The walks about Taymouth are all extremely magnificent, and it is in such situations that art exerts itself to advantage. The environs of a mansion are not expected to have the savage rudeness which would suit the hermitage at Dunkeld; all that is required is, that the efforts of art be not trifling and insignificant, but produce an effect corresponding to the surrounding scenery, and the opulence of the proprietor, which certainly has been done here. The hand of a Brown would undoubtedly have given to these grounds more the air of nature, but I question

TREES, &c. AT TAYMOUTH

83

much if the effect produced upon the mind of a stranger, would have equalled that which he experiences, or at least which I experienced, from the venerable rows of limes, though contrary to the present taste.

BESIDES the clumps and avenues of venerable trees to be met with in the grounds surrounding the house at Taymouth, several of the open spaces contain single trees of very large size, particularly larches and limes, which produce a rich effect. These grounds abound with fallow deer, and there are plenty of roes in the woods.

FROM the berçeau walk we crossed the road, and ascended the hill on the other side, where is a building in the form of a fort,' containing one good room. On a platform are some small field and garrison pieces, which are fired on particular occasions. From this fort is a charming view of the house and grounds, the river Tay, the lake, and the surrounding country, but by no means adapted to the pencil, it being what artists call a bird'seye view.

FROM this hill we descended to the house, the situation of which has likewise been frequently criticised and blamed: had it been placed near the temple of Venus, or where the village of Kenmore stands, the prospect would undoubtedly have been much better; but though I have no doubt that the architect paid more attention to a warm and sheltered situation, than to

癯

84

PAINTINGS AT TAYMOUTH.

the prospect, as was the custom at that time, yet I doubt very much if the pleasure which the inhabitants of this mansion receive from the delightful view of the lake, would not have been greatly diminished by having it always in view.

A LATE elegant writer,* when speaking of music, has observed, that the sweetest and fullest chords must be seldom repeated, otherwise the certain effect is satiety; those who are acquainted with the human heart, need not be told that this observation is not confined to music. In my opinion, it is perfectly applicable to the present case; the most beautiful scene constantly viewed, soon palls on the eye; but a short and pleasant walk conducts the family to a view of the lake, and its fine scenery, whenever they are disposed to enjoy it.

THIS house was originally called Balloch Castle, or the castle at the mouth of the lake. It was built by Sir COLIN CAMPBELL, the sixth knight of Loch-Awe, who died in the year 1583. The rooms are not large, but well-furnished, and contain some very good pictures, which are the only objects worth the attention of the traveller. Among these pictures are a number of portraits by GEORGE JAMIESON, ‡ who has often been called the Scotch Vandyke.

* Dr. Gregory.

+ Pennant's Tour.

George Jamieson was born at Aberdeen, about the close of the sixteenth centúry. Having at an early period of life discovered an uncommon genius for portrait-painting, he went abroad, and studied under the celebrated Rubens, making

IN the room or hall, into which we were first introduced, is a genealogical tree by this artist, containing twenty heads of the family of Lochaw, very finely painted; and in the same room, and a small parlour, are the following portraits by the same

master:

Sir DUNCAN CAMPBELL.

WILLIAM Earl of AIRTH.

JOHN Duke of ROTHES.

JAMES Marquis of HAMILTON.
ARCHIBALD Lord NAPIER.

WILLIAM Earl of MARISCHAL.

Earl of LOUDON, Lord High Chancellor.

THOMAS Lord BINNING.

JOHN Earl of MARR.

Sir ROBERT CAMPBELL.

Sir JOHN CAMPBELL.

IN the drawing-room are very fine portraits by Vandyke of two noble brothers, who made a distinguished figure in the time of Charles I. These are, HENRY RICH, Earl of Holland, a full

a very great progress in his profession. About the year 1620, he returned to his native city, where he settled as a portrait painter, and married. Jamieson's character and style of painting soon became generally known, and admired all over the kingdom. He appears to have painted a great number of portraits, among which. are James VI. and Charles I. It is said that when painting the portrait of Charles I. that prince ordered him to keep on his hat, and owing to this circumstance, or as some have thought, in imitation of his master Rubens, in all the pictures of himself he is represented with his hat on. Besides his works at Taymouth, there are several others in Scotland, of which a list is given, and the names of the persons to whom they belong, in the Statistical Account of Aberdeen.

length, which is estcemed one of the best works of that great master; and Robert Earl of Warwick, his elder brother, who was high Admiral of England, in the service of the parliament. In the dining-room are some family portraits of a later date by eminent painters.

In a small parlour at the west end of the house, among several good pictures, is a fine scripture-piece by WEST, and in a room at the east end, a most charming picture by GAVIN HAMILTON, of Scipio restoring the beautiful Spanish captive to her parents and betrothed husband Allucius. The artist seems to have seized the very ideas, and made her countenance speak the sentiments attributed to her by the historian. "Oh! wondrous youth, does not that obliged virgin give you, while she prays to the gods for your prosperity, raptures above all the transports you could have reaped from the possession of her injured person?" It is scarcely necessary to observe, that the relations of the young lady had brought with them a very considerable sum for her ransom; but when they saw that she was restored to them in so generous and godlike a manner, they entreated the conqueror, with great earnestness, to accept that sum as a present, and declared that his compliance would complete their joy and gratitude. Scipio told them that he accepted the gift, and ordered it to be laid at his feet; then, addressing himself to Allucius, “I add,” says he, " to the portion which you are to receive from your father-in-law, this sum, which I desire you to accept as a marriage present." The subject is worthy the pencil of any