Old Gardens of Italy 9 3 



terrace, the glory of the grounds. Near the end 

 next the parterre is a pretty garden seat and table 

 in coloured tiles. Steps lead up behind to a densely 

 shaded walk above. 



The garden can only be seen by means of a 

 private introduction. 



VILLA CAMPI, SIGNA, NEAR FLORENCE. 



LAID out by the Pucci family towards the end of 

 the sixteenth century. Now the property of Pro- 

 fessor Castellucci, of Florence. Can usually be 

 seen on application to the gardener. Is about two 

 miles' walk from Signa by short cuts. It is well to 

 take someone from Signa as guide. 



Mrs. Wharton says that Villa Campi has always 

 lacked its house. On the other hand, Mr. H. Inigo 

 Triggs considers that the two existing buildings 

 formed the casino, being divided, as at Lante, for 

 the sake of symmetry. The writer, whose opinion 

 is of far less value than either of these, cannot but 

 believe, after a long day spent at Campi, that so 

 stupendous a scheme as the grounds disclose must 

 have been intended to harmonise with a much more 

 imposing residence than the two small houses we 

 now find. The entire hill, on all sides and for a 

 long distance down, is occupied with a design of 

 great dignity and beauty. The larger part is now 

 unenclosed and appears no longer to belong to the 

 villa. It consists of several long viali of cypress, 

 of ilex, and of other trees terminating in groups of 



