THE VATICAN GARDENS. ROME 



97 



A comparison of Falda's plan and 

 the engraving of Nolli ^ shows that some time 

 in the first half of the eighteenth century 

 the 'giardino segreto' underwent consider- 

 able embellishment. Falda shows it as a 

 square orange garden divided into four plots, 

 whilst Nolli shows the garden much in its 

 original condition. 



The remainder of the grounds are 

 almost entirely devoted to woods, intersected 

 by shady paths, a wild woodland 'where in 

 April days ten thousand odorous cyclamen 

 flowers flush with crimson all the moss 

 beneath the trees.' Along the west side of 

 the palace is a terrace garden overlooking 

 the city, and here is Bernini's beautiful 

 bronze ship executed for Paul V., illustrated 

 on Plate 73. Its hull and rigging are still 

 in a good state of preservation, and through 

 its portholes grin little miniature cannon ; 

 behind, in a large niche against the wall, sits 

 Father Neptune, gravely watching over the 

 quiet scene. 



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200 



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Nuova Pianta di Roma/ MDCCXLVIII. 



