12 2 Old Gardens of Italy 



John Evelyn writes of it : "The garden abounded 

 with all sorts of delicious fruit and exotic simples, 

 fountains of sundry inventions, groves, and Small 

 rivulets. There is also adjoining to it a vivarium 

 for ostriches, peacocks, swans, cranes, etc., and 

 divers strange beasts, deer, and hares. The grotto 

 is very rare, and represents, among other devices, 

 artificial rain. . . . The four sphinxes are very 

 ancient. To this is a volary full of curious birds." 



VILLA COLONNA, ROME. 



The Villa Colonna is the garden of the palace of 

 that name. Permesso at the palace (Piazza Apos- 

 toli), open Wednesday mornings. Entrance to 

 garden is at 15 Via del Quirinale. 



Laid out by Don Filippo Colonna in the seven- 

 teenth century. 



This little garden has much charm. The present 

 entrance is through the gardener's house, but the 

 fine double stairway on the outer side still remains, 

 though the walk within is choked with under- 

 growth. 



An orange garden with flower beds radiating 

 from a circular pool in the centre occupies one half 

 of the flat ground on the top of the hill, the other 

 half, beyond the viale^ which runs firom the en- 

 trance gate, being bosco. On the same level as the 

 orange garden and separated from it by a clipped 

 hedge is a terrace overlooking the city. A pretty 

 chateau d'eau descends from the terrace beneath. 



