ON GARDENS 233 



ducts, Streetes, and other magnificences, with a litde 

 streame running thro' it for the Tyber, gushing out of 

 an urne next the statue of the river. In another garden 

 is a noble aviarie, the birds artificial, and singing till an 

 owle appeares, on which they suddainly change their 

 notes. Near this is the fountaine of Dragons casting 

 out large streames of water with great noises. In 

 another Grotto called Grotto di NaturcL, is an hydraulic 

 organ ; and below this are divers stews and fish- 

 pounds, in one of which is the statue of Neptune in 

 his chariot on a sea-horse, in another a Triton ; and 

 lasdy a garden of simples. 



Taking leave of our two jolly companions Signor 

 Giovanni and his fellow, we tooke horses for Bologna, 

 and by the way alighted at a villa of the Grand Duke's 

 called Pratoline. The house is a square of 4 pavilions, 

 with a faire platform about it, baiustred with stone, 

 situate in a large meadow, ascending like an amphi- 

 theater, having at the bottom a huge rock with water 

 running in a small channell like a cascade ; on the 

 other side are the gardens. The whole place seems 

 consecrated to pleasure and summer retirement. The 

 inside of the place may compare with any in Italy for 



