ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



small area, shaded by four plane trees, in the midst of 

 which a fountain rises, from whence the water, running 

 over the edges of a marble basin, gently refreshes the 

 surrounding plane trees and the verdure underneath 

 them." Then follows a description of the hippodrome, 

 the marble seats, summer-houses, and fountains, which 

 added much to the beauty of the gardens. Other sug- 

 gestions as to the appearance of the villa gardens may 

 be gathered from the remaining ruins of Hadrian's 

 superb villa at Tivoli, from the dwellings excavated at 

 and near Pompeii, and from the writings of the classic 

 writer Vitruvius. 

 Pseudo- Of the smaller pseudo-urban villas we are fortunate 



urban villas ... i i 



at Pompeii, m being able to study those in and near Pompeii. 

 At this watering-place, everything was so planned 

 that the residents might enjoy a change from city 

 life, by dwelling almost continu- 

 ally in the open air. As it was 

 mostly frequented in summer, 

 protection was provided from the 

 heat rather than from cold. 

 Courtyards occupied far more 

 space within the walls of the 

 house than the wholly enclosed 

 apartments under its roof. The 

 residence mainly consisted of a 

 large central peristyle, surrounded by the various 



