3 8o 



THE GARDENS OF ITALY. 



404. BACK FACADE OF THE VILLA CAMBIASO SHOWING THE 



UPPER LOGGIA. 



From Gauthier. 



is about fifteen yards wide, 

 opens from a square fore- 

 court, defined by balustrades 

 with recesses for seats. Solid 

 masses of the yew fill in the 

 intervals between these seat 

 recesses and strengthen b y 

 their depth of colour the lines 

 of the enclosure. The cactus 

 flourishes in the vases on the 

 pedestals, and two great palm 

 trees give emphasis to the 

 garden scheme, calling 

 attention to the distri- 

 bution of the fa9ade in two 

 wings and a centre. A feature 

 of the plan is two long, 

 enclosed gardens parallel to 

 the main vista, one of which ends in a raised belvedere or platform contrived over a coach- 

 house on the road level below. This platform, paved with large tiles, commands an 

 attractive view both over the property and its widespread surroundings of hillside and sea. 

 For the remainder of the site the gardens have been replanted as an " English garden." 

 The distinguishing feature of the house is the fine triple-arched and Doric-columned 

 loggia, approached by a well laid out double flight of steps, which the direct elevation 

 of our view (Fig. 402) does not show. The features of the palace are large and bold, 

 calculated to be seen at the considerable distances from which the villa is visible. At the 

 back of the house the fa$ade (Fig. 404) is deeply recessed in the centre at the level 

 of the principal upper floor, and a noble arcaded loggia (Fig. 406) is formed here com- 

 manding the mountain view. The plan (Fig. 403) is remarkable for its simple and effective 

 distribution. 



The Villa Paradise, situated on the hillside leading up to St. Francesco d'Albaro, is 

 approached by a dozen steps just within a gateway on the main road. Access is thus 

 obtained to a long, sloping way rising about one in eleven and enclosed by balus- 



traded walls some nine feet 

 high (Fig. 408). The balus- 

 ters are about seven feet 

 high and are built up of 

 brick and plastered, and the 

 sunlight pouring through the 

 long slits in this quaint wall 

 makes an approach of singular 

 interest. Orange and lemon 

 trees are planted on either side 

 of the central path, which is 

 two yards wide. The total 

 width between walls is just 

 over four yards. This ascent 

 ends in an excavated plateau, 

 on which the oblong - shaped 

 villa stands. 



The illustration (Fig. 407) 

 -shows one end with its fine 

 405. SECTION OF THE VILLA CAMBIASO SHOWING UPPER AND arcade of six arches ; the longer 



LOWER LOGGIAS. front has two arched bays, 



SBHDBQBHO 



n o r r i FT 



