The English beau ideal of a park is that of a portion of natural forest scenery, with smooth glades of lawn in some places, and rough thickets of shrubs and ferns in others; but the Scotch idea of a park (judging from the parks as we found them) is that of a pasture field of considerable extent, varied by formal clumps of trees and strips of plantation. Unquestionably the latter description of park is most suitable for a comparatively poor country, because it is better adapted for the maintenance of agricultural stock; but, taking the style of the finest natural scenery as a standard for this kind of beauty, the English park, as a work of art, is by far the most beautiful. The day for extensive parks, however, is gone by; and we have no wish to see large portions of the country occupied by mere forest scenery, however picturesque it may be. What we should wish to see in Scotland are, numerous small parks of smooth rich pasture, beautifully varied by groups of trees; not put down at random, both as it regards sorts and manner of planting; but the trees and shrubs of many sorts, one kind always prevailing in one place, and the grouping and connection being such as to produce a varied and beautiful whole. Such parks in Scotland will often be placed on the sides or along the base of a range of hilly or mountainous scenery; and when this is the case, every extent that can be desired, both of pasture and of forest scenery, may be obtained without infringing on any principle of utility. It is remarkable that, in a country abounding with so many fine situations for country residences, there should so often be houses placed in dull flat situations, with nothing to recommend them but the richness of the soil. This we can only account for on the principle that fine situations, being so common, are not duly valued; and that the wealth which can procure a large well-built house anywhere obtains among a poor people more applause than the taste which would place that house in a beautiful situation.
