DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22423#0303
Letter XXVIII. ME. M'LELLAN'S COLLECTION.
291
pleasing forms, softly and carefully modelled in a transparent
tone.
William van Aelst.—Two dead fowls. Masterly.
William Van de Velde.—3. A sea-piece, with numerous ves-
sels. Genuine, but very dark.
Lingelbach.—2. A small, very pretty picture.
Lenain.—A boy with sheep. Very animated, but it hangs
too high for an opinion.
Vanbyck.—2. Henrietta Maria, about a third life-size, crowned
by an angel. An allegorical representation. Looks well, but
hangs too high.
Venetian School of the time of Titian.—Christ on the
Mount of Olives. This also hangs too high, but is apparently a
good picture.
A short trip to the Highlands, with Mr. Wilson, his wife, and
another gentleman, was an agreeable change after my studies. By
a happy combination of steamboat, railway, and pedestrian jour-
neys, we managed to see Loch Lomond and Loch Long, two of
the most interesting lakes, in one day. Although I had been for-
merly assured that the mountains and lakes of the Highlands
were not worth visiting after those of Switzerland, I was thankful
to have had the opportunity of judging for myself. I found the
character of these Highlands perfectly peculiar to themselves,
which is the great attraction in scenery. Never before had I wit-
nessed scenery which bore so strongly the impress of a grand
melancholy. In those mists, which never dispersed during the
whole day, and veiled more or less the forms of the hills, I could
well imagine the presence of those Ossianic spirits which pervade
Macpherson's poems. Many parts also brought Walter Scott's
' Lady of the Lake' vividly before me. On our return I admired
the proud fortress of Dumbarton. I can but regret that I had not
time to penetrate deeper into the Highlands.
Another trip was devoted to nature and art both; a drive of a
few miles brought Mr. Wilson and myself to Garscube, the charm-
ing seat of Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth. The pleasure-
grounds, through which a burn flows, glistened with the freshest
verdure, while a conservatory connected with the drawing-room had
a most pleasing effect. Sir Archibald received us most kindly, and,
after showing us round, left us to our studies, which were onlv
u 2
291
pleasing forms, softly and carefully modelled in a transparent
tone.
William van Aelst.—Two dead fowls. Masterly.
William Van de Velde.—3. A sea-piece, with numerous ves-
sels. Genuine, but very dark.
Lingelbach.—2. A small, very pretty picture.
Lenain.—A boy with sheep. Very animated, but it hangs
too high for an opinion.
Vanbyck.—2. Henrietta Maria, about a third life-size, crowned
by an angel. An allegorical representation. Looks well, but
hangs too high.
Venetian School of the time of Titian.—Christ on the
Mount of Olives. This also hangs too high, but is apparently a
good picture.
A short trip to the Highlands, with Mr. Wilson, his wife, and
another gentleman, was an agreeable change after my studies. By
a happy combination of steamboat, railway, and pedestrian jour-
neys, we managed to see Loch Lomond and Loch Long, two of
the most interesting lakes, in one day. Although I had been for-
merly assured that the mountains and lakes of the Highlands
were not worth visiting after those of Switzerland, I was thankful
to have had the opportunity of judging for myself. I found the
character of these Highlands perfectly peculiar to themselves,
which is the great attraction in scenery. Never before had I wit-
nessed scenery which bore so strongly the impress of a grand
melancholy. In those mists, which never dispersed during the
whole day, and veiled more or less the forms of the hills, I could
well imagine the presence of those Ossianic spirits which pervade
Macpherson's poems. Many parts also brought Walter Scott's
' Lady of the Lake' vividly before me. On our return I admired
the proud fortress of Dumbarton. I can but regret that I had not
time to penetrate deeper into the Highlands.
Another trip was devoted to nature and art both; a drive of a
few miles brought Mr. Wilson and myself to Garscube, the charm-
ing seat of Sir Archibald Campbell of Succoth. The pleasure-
grounds, through which a burn flows, glistened with the freshest
verdure, while a conservatory connected with the drawing-room had
a most pleasing effect. Sir Archibald received us most kindly, and,
after showing us round, left us to our studies, which were onlv
u 2