DURING a residence of near two months, in the summer of 1792, these improvements mostly occurred, and, in the spring and autumn of 1793, were in some part executed. By reaching the ground, before the foliation of the trees took place, the skreens were most pervious to the eye, and the exact situation of the breaks were, of course, the best seen; and the progress of the foliation was the most favorable time for catching the best outlines, ragged coppice wood is capable of affording.

BUT these ORNAMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS being secondary to more important objects; namely, those of ascertaining the present state of the RURAL ECONOMY of the HIGHLANDS; and of pointing out the means of their improvement, more particularly THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF BREADALBANE*; few MINUTES were made on them, at the time. Nevertheless, they did not pass entirely without notice.

• Part of the information, collected in this district, has been presented to the BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, as a REPORT concerning the CENTRAL HIGHLANDS. The whole may hereafter appear, together with such MINUTES in RURAL ECONOMY, as were made at TAYMOUTH.

MINUTE THE TWENTY SEVENTH.

1793. May 17. BREAKING THE TERRAGE SKREENS. The general effect is equal to expectation; but good outlines are not to be had, from the fortuitous wood of the skreens; and the abruptness and raggedness of the cleared banks offend, and prevent the river from being seen with full advantage.

HOWEVER, by shelving the outer brink, so as to bend the turf, with an easy swelling slope, from the level of the terrace, and giving suitable outlines to the side skreens,-by planting trees and shrubs of different heights, to form banks of foliage, like those which are seen in the fortuitous masses of park scenery, the vistas will be made to accord, at once, with the middle grounds of the views, and with the terraces, as immediate foregrounds. The eye, whether it be employed in the general composition, or in the place of view from which it is seen, will be equally gratified; especially, if the more beautiful of the vegetable tribes be made to assimilate with the grassy carpet of the terrace.

MINUTE THE TWENTYEIGHTH.

MAY 19. Much is to be done by application, attentive, but not too intense. By sauntering leisurely over the site of improvement; prying into each recess, for latent beauties; and penetrating every pervious part, for more distant objects.

In this way, it has been perceived, that the house may be rendered a good object from the North terrace, and the bank of the North terrace a beautiful feature from the house. That the distant mountain of Lawers may be disclosed to the drawing room, and that of Benmore, it is hoped, may be shewn, in a happy point of view, from the library. What a prospect for a subject to contemplate! A mountain rising, at near thirty miles distance, his own property, and situated near the midway of his estate; which reaches from his house to this mountain, and from this mountain to the Western sea,-some forty or -some forty or fifty miles still farther distant! No other subject, perhaps, can enjoy such a view. It ought, therefore, to be disclosed, even though some of the beauties of Tay, mouth should be sacrificed to the disclosure*.

* On strict examination, however, it was found, that the library stands a few feet from the line of view. From the terrace, it is seen with advantage.

MINUTE THE TWENTYNINTH.

MAY 19. One of the possessors of this estate, fearful that the Tay should wear away the isthmus, and carry off his castle, fetched five hundred of his tenants out of Argyleshire, to assist in making a long high pier of stones, to guard it. Tradition says, that meal being scarce, a famine was brought on, by this ill planned work, before the poor fellows could finish their task. Had one half of the stones been lodged, in a flat sloping pile, against the bank of the river, at the bend, the work would have been more effectual, and have been done with one fourth of the labour; besides preserving the natural sweep of the river; instead of giving it an unnatural, and, of course, an unsightly turn; and, what is still more disagreeable, forming a noisome unwholesome swamp, between the pier and the natural banks; and this, in the immediate neighbourhood of the house. It would be worth some hundred pounds to have it undone. A hint for those who have similar works to execute.

MINUTE THE THIRTIETH.

MAY 25. It is difficult to open a LINE OF VIEW, between two objects (or between an object and a point of view), which, in the outset, cannot be seen from each other: as in bringing the church of Kenmore within the view from the drawing room. A cautious perseverance, alone, can properly effect it. The best assistance, perhaps, is to suppose a middle point, and, beginning at each end, trace a line towards this supposed point; clearing away brushwood and undergrowth. If, on reaching the midway point, the lines happen to take the same direction, the true line is found: if not, the angle, they make with each other, will show on which hand the true point lies. Or if trees only obstruct, and firm ground only intervene, begin at either object, and trace a random line, until the obstructions are permeated, and the required object can be seen: and, by this false line, endeavour to ascertain the true one.

MINUTE THE THIRTYFIRST.

JUNE 2. In breaking through deep skreens of tall grown trees, and where good outlines cannot