2 2 Old Gardens of Italy 



It was designed by Jean Gianda, a Frenchman, 

 and the grounds are very large, but though quite 

 flat, the architect has introduced much variety. 

 They contain a beautiful orange garden, a theatre 

 of clipped beach, large aviaries, a serraglio for wild 

 beasts, and many fountains. 



The ironwork, with stone statue-surmounted 

 pedestals enclosing the forecourt, is extremely fine. 

 It is difficult to obtain permission to visit this villa. 



VILLA CICOGNA, BISUSCHIO. 



THE station is Bisuschio, on the Varese-Porto 

 Ceresio line, about half an hour by train from 

 Varese. 



On leaving the station, turn to the left, cross the 

 railway line, and follow the high road. About a 

 mile from the station, on the right, is the chief 

 entrance to the villa, consisting of modern iron 

 gates and a picturesque lodge, also new, but de- 

 signed to match the beautiful old villa. Following 

 the road, the village is soon reached, and passing 

 through it to the right, the house is arrived at. It 

 is about one and a half miles from the station. 



Count Cicogna most kindly allows visitors to be 

 shown over the grounds, and in this house and 

 garden the old plans have everywhere been most 

 carefully preserved, so the place is one of the most 

 enchanting in Italy and retains all its magic of 

 former days, while it is kept up as are scarcely any 

 others that I have met with in the country. The 



