ITALY 



The Sunk Garden, The Vatican, Rome 



VATICAN GARDEN, like the palace, 

 has grown gradually, and is the work of 

 successive pontiffs. There were the popes who 

 rebuilt St. Peter's, those who took pleasure in 

 the decoration of the palace, and those whose 

 energies were spent upon the gardens. 



The planes and firs, avenues of ilex and clumps 

 of cypresses give coolness in the August heats, 

 the Pontiff passing his early mornings and sultry 

 afternoons within these shaded walks. 



But his winter exercise is taken in the sunlit, 

 treeless garden, where a few palms cast no shade, 

 and where, between the carefully laid-out walks, 

 rare herbs are cultivated medicinal herbs which 

 are given away to the poorer convents. 



The larger, pompous fountains owe their being 

 to Paul V, and the earlier summer-house was 

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