OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



mandarin, citron and bergamot trees, some twenty 

 species. The perfumed air rises deliciously from the 

 flowers and fruit of this resplendent orchard, and in 

 my heart I think that this must be the choicest part of 

 the place. 



"Have you seen the pergola?" a pleasant voice asks 

 in English, and I wonder if I have been thinking 

 aloud. 



"Not yet, but if you will kindly tell me in which 

 direction—" 



"The first path to the right; mount the steps and you 

 are there," answers the gardener. Evidently he sees 

 my deep enjoyment and does not wish me to miss what 

 he considers his chef-d'oeuvre. 



One of the joys of La Mortola lies in the confidence 

 with which its owners entrust it to the visitor. No 

 guides are provided; a man busy at his task here and 

 there is always ready to give necessary information 

 and a small notice begs one not to go within a certain 

 distance of the house. Otherwise the place is at the 

 disposition of the nature-lover and it is so extensive that 



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