172 Gbe Garden 



flaming cherubim. I attribute that ignorance, 

 in part, to its being twenty-five miles distant 

 from any post town, and also to the custom of 

 the English of herding, together, avoiding the 

 conversation of the Italians, who, on their side, 

 are naturally reserved, and do not seek strangers. 

 Lady Orford could give you some knowledge 

 of it, having passed the last six months she 

 stayed here in a house she hired at Salo ; but 

 as all her time was then taken up with the 

 melancholy vapors her distresses had thrown 

 her into, I question whether her curiosity ever 

 engaged her to see this palace, though but half 

 a mile from it. 



October 25th. 



I was interrupted in this part of my letter by 

 a visit from Count Martinenghi, master of this 

 house, with his son and two daughters* they 

 stayed till this morning, being determined to 

 show me all the fine places on this side the lake, 

 to engage me to glow fond of staying here, and 

 I have had a very pleasant progress in viewing 

 the most remarkable palaces within ten miles 

 round. Three from hence is the little town of 

 Maderna, where the last Duke of Mantua built 

 a retreat worthy a sovereign. It is now in the 

 hands of a rich merchant, who maintains it in 

 all its beauty. It is not half so large as that 



