1 6 2 Old Gardens of Italy 



formal. There is, however, an enchanting little 

 theatre with quaint busts at its entrance. The 

 owners are very kind in allowing anyone really 

 interested in gardens to visit it. The station of 

 the Vomero funiculaire is close to the villa. 



THE ROYAL PALACE, PORTICI. 



BUILT for Ferdinand IV., and at one time had a 

 large and formal garden. It is now an Agriculture 

 College. It retains but in an ill-kept state its 

 parterre, with central fountain and big pots and 

 traces of a large bosco above. This is on the land 

 side of the palace. On the sea side no trace remains 

 beyond the bare framework of the terraces. 



The electric tram from Naples passes right 

 through the central court of the palace. 



LA FAVORITA, RESINA. 



NOTHING of the once fine garden is left, and a 

 recent inundation completed the ruin. Some 

 wrecks of garden houses, and broken statues only 

 make the scene more desolate. The palace is let in 

 summer in apartments. The tram passes the door, 

 but the grounds are not worth a visit from even the 

 most enthusiastic of garden architects. 



LA FAVORITA, PALERMO. 



THIS Royal villa, in the Chinese style, was built by 

 Ferdinand I. Here took place the famous ball at 

 which Lord Nelson was made Duke of Bronte. 



