In what respects the talents of Mr. White, junior, dif fer from those of his father, or whether they differ at all, we are not aware ; though we think it highly probable they will partake of the general improvement of the age.
We had before mentioned, that none of the eminent English artists had ever been in Scotland ; but that Valley field was laid out from Mr. "lepton's designs.
Soon after the publication of Mr. Price's Essays, a gen tleman of much taste and science, being about to plant ex tensively, consulted Mr. Nasmyth, an eminent landscape painter in Edinburgh, as to the general effect of the pro posed improvement. Mr. Nasmyth has since, we believe, been much employed in the same way by other proprietors, a circumstance which must have contributed in an eminent degree to improve the artificial scenery of Scotland. We recollect to have seen, it 1802, some sketches by this artist for planting part of the range of Pentland Hills, behind Dreghorn, and a part of the Ochil Hills near Airthrie, and Alva, which struck us as in a grand and very superior taste. We believe they have only partially been carried into execution. Scotland has so many facilities for land scape scenery, that under the guidance of such an artist as Mr. Nasmyth, much beauty may be preserved and created.
There is now residing in Scotland, an English gentle man and amateur, who we believe is also employed pro fessionally, Mr. G. Parkyns, author of an " Essay on the different natural situations of Gardens," prefixed to the ouarto edition of Wheatley's Work, of some designs pub.
fished in a work on Architecture, by Mr. Soane, in 1798, and of some Plans and Descriptions, published in numbers in Edinburgh, since 1800. These works are, on the whole, of unexceptionable merit ; the author appears to he a correct and elegant draughtsman, and a man of general taste. We have not seen any specimen of his practical talents.
The first attempts to introduce the modern style in Ire land are supposed to have been made by Dr. Delany at Delville, near Glassnevin, about the year 1720. Swift has left a poetical description of these scenes. Like Pope, Dr.
Delany impressed a vast deal of beauty on a very small spot of ground. As there existed an intimacy between these two characters, it is supposed that Pope may have assisted his Irish friend. This example' appears to have had the same sort of influence in Ireland, that the gardening of Lord Karnes had in Scotland. It gave rise to a demand for artists of the new school ; and the market was supplied by such as came in the way. Much less, however, was done in that country, partly from the abundance of woody and picturesque scenery in many districts, and partly from other obvious causes. Mount Shannon, near Limerick, the scat of the late chancellor Clare, is said to be laid out from his lordship's designs, as are chiefly the recent im provements at Charleville forest, where one of the most comfortable and magnificent castles in Ireland has been executed by Mr. Johnston of Dublin, from designs which were the joint productions of Lord and Lady Charleville.
Mr. Walker of St. Valori, a very beautiful spot near Bray, laid out by the owner, mentions Marino, Castletown, Calton, Curraghmore, the retreat of St. Woolstars, and Moyra, as exhibiting the finest garden scenery in Ireland. Powerscourt, and Mucross, near the lakes, are reckoned the most romantic residences, and are little indebted to art.
We are not aware, that any English artist of eminence has been employed as a landscape gardener in Ireland, the more common practice being to engage a good kitchen gardener from England, and leave every thing to him. A Mr. Sutherland was, in 1310, the native artist of great est repute. Mr. A has since settled in this country, and, from what we know of this artist, we have little doubt he will contribute, in an eminent degree, to establish and extend a better taste than has yet appeared there. Though landscape gardeners from the capital have not been called to Ireland, yet it has happily become not an unfrequent practice to employ eminent English archi tects,—a practice certain of being attended with the most salutary effects.