BOOK I. V. 2-5 



third choice is well-water which is found on a hill- 

 side or in a valley, if not in its lowest part. Worst 3 

 of all is swamp-water, which creeps along with 

 sluggish flow ; and water that always remains 

 stagnant in a swamp is laden with death. But this 

 same water, harmful though its nature is, is purified 

 by the rains of the winter season and loses its 

 virulence ; from this fact water from the heavens is 

 known to be most healthful, as it even washes away 

 the pollution of poisonous water, and we have 

 stated that this is most approved for drinking." On 4 

 the other hand, bubbling brooks contribute greatly 

 to the alleviation of summer heat and to the 

 attractiveness of places ; and, if local conditions will 

 allow, I think that they, by all means, should be 

 conducted into the villa, regardless of the quality of 

 the water if only it is sweet. 



But if the stream is far removed from the hills, 

 and if the healthfulness of the region and the some- 

 what elevated position of its banks allow the 

 placing of the villa above flowing water, care must 

 still be taken that it have the stream at the rear 

 rather than in front of it,* and that the front of the 

 structure face away from the harmful winds peculiar 

 to the region and towards those that are most 

 friendly; for most streams reek with mists, hot in 

 sunmier and cold in winter, and these, unless dis- 

 persed by the greater force of winds that blow 

 upon them, are the cause of destruction to man and 

 beast. It is best, moreover, as I have said, for a 5 

 villa to face the east or the south in healthful situa- 

 tions, the north in noxious. A villa is always properly 

 placed when it overlooks the sea and receives the 

 shock of the waves and is sprinkled with their spray ; 



6i 



