240 SPRINGS, RIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



Isola. On the east and west sides are large vaults, upon which the 

 earth has been raised to the height above-mentioned ; and the 

 whole may be compared to the hanging gardens of antiquity. These 

 vaults are not only a foundation for the soil, but an ornament to 

 the gardens, all of them resembling so many grottos. Near the 

 palace are kept in a shed, built for that purpose, three fine gon- 

 dolas for parties of pleasure upon the water. 



From Isola Bella to ISOLA MADRE is about half an hour's sail, 

 ing, though their great height makes them appear much nearer. 

 The latter has seven terraces, which are high, but sloping, and at 

 a considerable distance from each other, by which means it appears 

 to he lower than Isola Bella, though according to the original pnla 

 they are of an equal height. The greatest part of the external 

 foundation of I.soki Mad re is a high perpendicular rock, pro. 

 jeering considerably over the wat^r, so that it did not require so 

 much masonry as Isola i>:iln. Tuat part of the front of the palace 

 only is completed which looks tn-ari Scati and the above island, 

 and is adorned with fine paintings of flowers, portraits, and land- 

 scapes. 



The garden of this island also abounds with vegetable beauties, 

 particularly .1 fine espalier of citron-trees, with a low coutre-espalier 

 of orange-trees, an arched walk of cedars, a smaller espalier of 

 jessamine, an vspalier of acacia, and another of rosemary not less 

 than eight feet in height. Here are also several small groves of 

 laurel, with walks cut through them. Some of these trees are of 

 uncommon thickness ; and one of these espaliers of laurels is above 

 eighteen feet high: such a hedge, by means of the mildness of the 

 air, and its being fenced from the north wind by the neighbouring 

 mountains, shoots up to this height in six or seven years. 



The Isola Mad re is a secure place for keeping pheasants, which 

 are easily confined here on account of the great breadth of the 

 lake : for when any of thm attempt to fly over it, they soon flag, 

 and drop iato the water, from which they are immediately taken 

 up by a waterman who puts off for that purpose, and brings them 

 back. This, however, seldom happens ; for as the island is larger 

 than Isola Bella, and abounds with every thing proper for them, as 

 well as places for shelter, the birds seldom attempt to make their 

 escape. There is a little house built for the young pheasants, and 

 near it a beautiful grove of lofty cypress-trees. This appears to 

 be the finest part of the island, and recals to one's mind the fabcu 



