52 Gbe (Barfcen 



of which are open plain and numerous other 

 meadows and copses. From the extremity of 

 the portico a large dining-room runs out, open- 

 ing upon one end of the terrace ; while from 

 the windows there is a very extensive view over 

 the meadows up into the country, and from 

 these you also see the terrace and the project- 

 ing wing of the house together with the woods 

 enclosing the adjacent hippodrome. Almost 

 opposite the centre of the portico, and rather 

 to the back, stands a summer-house, enclosing 

 a small area shaded by four plane-trees, in the 

 midst of which rises a marble fountain which 

 gently plays upon the roots of the plane-trees 

 and upon the grass-plots underneath them. 

 This summer-house has a bedroom in it free 

 from every sort of noise, and which the light 

 itself cannot penetrate, together with a common 

 dining-room I use when I have none but inti- 

 mate friends with me. A second portico looks 

 upon this little area, and has the same view as 

 the other I have just been describing. There 

 is, besides, another room, which, being situate 

 close to the nearest plane-tree, enjoys a con- 

 stant shade and green. Its sides are encrusted 

 with carved marble up to the ceiling, while 

 above the marble a foliage is painted with birds 

 among the branches, which has an effect alto- 

 gether as agreeable as that of the carving, at 



