21 



manifested iu the above details, it is very probable liK\t 

 copied models which he had seen in Asia, where a great part 

 of his life had been passed in a situation affording every 

 opportunity for inspecting the most splendid constructions of 

 the kind.* The ground originally belonged to Marius, who 

 purchased it for about two thousand five hundred pounds 

 sterling, but it acquired a higher value during the few years 

 he held it, for when^he fell, Lucullus paid near eighty thousand 

 pounds to acquire its proprietorship.! Lucullus had many 

 other Villas, and so variously situated for the securing an 

 agreeable climate at each season of the year &c. that he was 

 accustomed to boast that " he changed his climate with the 

 Storks and Cranes."J 



Descending in the order of time, we come next, as oflbrding 

 information on our subject, to the age of Cicero, who died 

 B. C. 43. — Of the Villas of that Orator we have no particular 

 description ; but in a brief notice of the grounds surrounding 

 his Villa of Arpinum, there is sufficient to acquaint us that the 

 natural beauties so associated with his dwelling were not con- 

 sidered as misplaced. He evidently admired this Villa for its 

 romantic Scenery ; dwells with delight upon Groves which he 

 had formed ; on streams that rushed by it from tlie wild and 

 craggy hills around, nnshackled l)y Art or disfigured by false 

 Taste.lj 



Of the Gardens of Sallust, the contemporary and rival 

 of Cicero, we have rather more precise information. That 

 Historian returning from the government of Numidia, laden, it 

 is to be feared, with extorted riches, built a magnificent palace 

 and laidout very extensive Gardens on the QurinalHill, either 

 of which have never been mentioned by Historians but with 

 admiration as being the ornament and pride of Rome. M. de 



* Tacitus Ann. xiv. 8. xv, 44. + Plutarch in vit. Mari and L-iculI. 

 : Ibid. Lucull. II Cicer D-> L'-'j;. i'. 



