Rome. 207 



some 30 feet in height. Near this was a hedge of our com- 

 mon daily rose, which could be very tastefully introduced in 

 pleasure-grounds with us ; when well trimmed, it is close and 

 compact ; it will bloom from spring to autumn ; and, when 

 covered with flowers, has a very beautiful effect. It is quite 

 hardy in the climate of Long Island, which is sufficiently cold 

 for all practical purposes, the thermometer being sometimes 

 below zero, beyond which 10 or 20 degrees make but little 

 difference. The hills about Genoa are cultivated to the sum- 

 mit in terraces, with vines, olives, figs, oranges, almonds, 

 vegetables, &c. Among the vines are some very hardy vari- 

 eties, which I hope to obtain, and which would undoubtedly 

 flourish in our climate. 



At Rome, there is somewhat more horticultural taste, and 

 several of the wealthier citizens are disposed to encourage the 

 introduction of new plants and improvements in gardening. 



There are many fine villas, which, with the exception of 

 the Villa Torlonia, are in the old artificial style. This villa 

 belongs to the Prince Torlonia, a wealthy banker of Rome, 

 and, although new, and wanting the perfection of age, is very 

 beautiful. No expense has been spared, and it has been ob- 

 served, and I think without exaggeration, that such an estab- 

 lishment in the United States would cost a million of dollars. 

 Winding walks of white gravel pass through the grounds, and 

 on the close soft turf, summer-houses, temples, statues, and 

 imitation ruins, are intermingled with groups of trees, clumps 

 of roses, laurel and shrubs, with an occasional fine specimen 

 of the beautiful Magnoh'a grandiflora. Marble tables are scat- 

 tered around for his guests to take their coffee and ices upon. 

 A stone stage for plants, a facade filled Avith fine statues, va- 

 rious clumps of assorted shrubs, a picturesque cottage, fine 

 weeping elms, aloes, and cactus, terraces of orange trees, belts 

 of laurel, and lakes with islands and statues — all added 

 their charms to the spot. A very wild affair was the artifi- 

 cial grotto or cavern, with water falling through its roof of 

 immense stalactite-like rocks, and surmounted by a Gothic 

 castle. The Conservatory was superb, with stained glass and 

 mosaic pavements, and filled with good specimens of bananas 

 and other exotic plants. Beyond this, was a tournament 

 ground, with tents and statues of armed knights. But the 



