206 GARDENS: THEIR FORM AND DESIGN 



the same terrace below, so that there is a choice of sun or 

 shadow according to the time of day. 



In old pictures of the Vatican gardens we notice many 

 such easy ascents, arranged so that the stairway should 

 pass by little recesses or temples, built well back into the 

 retaining wall where the sun could scarcely penetrate. 

 Here shade and coolness were obtained, and we can 

 picture the processions of red-robed cardinals who 

 paused upon their way to ponder and discuss the serious 

 problems concerning the Church (Fig. 120). The incline 



FIG. 120. 



A t Palh ; B, beds or shrubs ; C, temple or summer-house; D, steps. 



was always gradual and easy, and each terrace with its 

 small temple gained variety through the different direction 

 the staircase took. 



In these steps belonging to old gardens we find leisure 

 and dignity considered ; and even if we cannot all copy 

 them in stone, it is well to study carefully their proportions, 

 so that, if need be, it is possible to reproduce with humbler 

 material. 



In the gardens of the Benedictine Abbey of Jumieges, 

 near Rouen, is a beautiful specimen of a garden stairway* 

 Fig. 121 represents roughly the lines it takes. Here, even 

 if it is not possible to build brick retaining walls, the 

 shape and graceful circular outline of the originals can be 

 copied by planting wichuriana roses, rosemary, or other 



