STEPS 209 



trived. Such water-step gardens were often arranged in 

 hot countries, both for ornament and to cool the air. 

 Nothing could be finer for a show place than the stone- 

 work amphitheatre of the Villa Lante at Bagnaia, where 

 spray fountains rise all round, alternating with tumbling 

 miniature cascades, and vases filled with bright flowers 

 stand upon the surrounding balustrade reflected in the 

 water. 



There is a special charm about stairways which descend 

 to the water's edge. Whether we think of those at 

 Venice that are used as landing-places for gondolas, or 

 the sparkling white ones reflected so clearly in the Italian 

 lakes, or even the humbler ones along our River Thames, 

 there is a fascination about them all. Here should be 

 very careful architectural planning, because we have 

 not only the staircase itself, but also the reflection of it in 

 the water. All faults of colour or proportion will appear 

 more vivid in the mirror than in real life. Then, too, 

 ample width is important to allow for landing from boats, 

 which is done in discomfort if space be limited. 



For small suburban gardens, where it is not possible to 

 achieve water amphitheatres or even terrace-walks, it will 

 yet be possible to gain a different level in the garden by 

 having recourse to another plan. A flight of wooden, 

 rather ladder-like steps can lead up to a gallery surround- 

 ing a portion of the trunk of a tree. This, if the tree 

 chances to be large and overshadowing, will give a very 

 delightful retreat, in which the family can do their reading 

 and writing. There is something that recalls the Swiss 

 Family Robinson about it, and this feeling of a spice of 

 adventure is all the more enjoyable. Such a plan could 

 sometimes be adopted in large places, where ground near 

 a house is levelled, and perhaps, in moving earth to make 

 a smooth lawn or parterre, one fine tree is left upon a 

 lower level than the newly-laid-out ground, a wide ditch 



