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a little private closet, \vhich though it seems distinct may be 

 laid into the same room furnished with a Couch, and notwith- 

 standing it has windows on every side, yet it enjoys a very 

 agreeable gloominess by means of a spreading Vine which 

 climbs to the tup and entirely ovorshades it. In this place a 

 fountain also rises aud instantly disappears; in diflbreDt quar- 

 ters are disposed several marble seats, which serve, as well as 

 the Summer House, as so many reliefs when one is wearied by 

 walking. Near each seat is a little fountain ; and throughout 

 the whole Hippodrome several small Rills run murmering along, 

 •wheresoever the hand of Art thought proper to conduct them, 

 watering here and there spots of verdure, and in their progress 

 refreshing the whole." 



From several remarks in the preceeding Epistle the most 

 careless peruser must notice a dawning of that taste for the 

 beauties of Nature unaltered by Art, which were only for a 

 short time perfected about the same time under the care of 

 the Emperor Nero, but soon enveloped and overlooked amid 

 distorted Vegetables and mathematical walks. This transi- 

 tory idea of Pliny's appears to have been the decided taste of 

 that Tyrant who fell A. D. 68. From the writings of Tacitus 

 wc learn that aided by two Architects of the Imperial City- 

 he brought his plans to perfection. Of his Palace it would be 

 misplaced to speak in detail ; it is sufficient to state that it 

 encircled the City ; that its Galleries were a mile in length, 

 and that the whole was adorned with Gold and precious Stones. 

 Within the Area were spacious Fields, artificial Lakes, Gar- 

 dens, Orchards and Groves. " Nero, says the Historian, 

 availed himself of the ruins of his country, and built a house 

 in which gems and gold, formerly of usual and common lux- 

 urv, were not so much to be admired as fields and lakes ; 

 and as in uncultivated places, here were woods ; — there open 

 spaces and prospects. The masters and designers beiHg 



£ 



