Old Gardens of Italy 141 



it is rapidly becoming impossible to trace the 

 original plan. 



In Vignola's beautiful little garden house a peasant 

 family now lives, whose children beg from the 

 few strangers who visit the grounds. If the garden 

 of Caprarola could be restored to its former beauty 

 and thrown open for a fee to the public, in these 

 days of motors it would soon recoup the outlay for 

 its owner. It is very sad to see so glorious an 

 example of one of Italy's formal gardens falling 

 into such decay that eventually no vestige of it 

 will remain. 



VILLA TORLONIA, FRASCATI. 



FORMERLY Conti. Belonged originally to cne Conti 

 family It passed, in 1650, by marriage, to a 

 Sforza, and finally to its present owner, the Duke 

 of Torlonia. Permission to visit the garden can 

 usually be obtained through the Frascati hotel- 

 keepers. Little remains of the purely formal part 

 of the grounds, but the scheme of stairways by 

 which the level of the bosco is gained from the 

 carriage drive, is of unique design. It extends the 

 whole length of the terrace. 



The water theatre and cascade are very beautiful, 

 and simple in design. At the top is a charming 

 balustraded pool, where the water for the cascade 

 and fountains is collected. The bosco are of ilex, 

 and at the intersection of the principal walks stand 

 fine fountains. 



