tbe I>oun0et 57 



Carystian columns. From this semicircular 

 couch, the water, gushing up through several 

 little pipes, as though pressed out by the weight 

 of the persons who reclined themselves upon 

 it, falls into a stone cistern underneath, from 

 whence it is received into a fine polished 

 marble basin, so skilfully contrived that it is 

 always full without ever overflowing. When I 

 sup here, this basin serves as a table, the 

 larger sort of dishes being placed around the 

 margin, while the smaller ones swim about in 

 the form of vessels and water-fowl. Opposite 

 this is a fountain which is incessantly emptying 

 and filling, for the water which it throws up to 

 a great height, falling back again into it, is by 

 means of consecutive apertures returned as fast as 

 it is received. Facing the alcove (and reflecting 

 upon it as great an ornament as it borrows 

 from it) stands a summer-house of exquisite 

 marble, the doors of which project and open 

 into a green enclosure, while from its upper 

 and lower windows the eye falls upon a variety 

 of different greens. Next to this is a little pri- 

 vate closet (which, though it seems distinct, 

 may form part of the same room), furnished 

 with a couch, and notwithstanding it has win- 

 dows on every side, yet it enjoys a very agree- 

 able gloom, by means of a spreading vine which 

 climbs to the top and entirely overshadows it. 



