146 Old Gardens of Italy 



rocks, hydraulic organs, and all sorts of singing 

 birds, moving and chirping by force of the water. 

 ... In the centre of one of these rooms rises a 

 copper ball that continually dances about three 

 feet above the pavement, by virtue of a wind 

 conveyed secretly to a hole beneath it; with many 

 other devises to wet the unwary spectator." 



None of this elaborate mechanism is now in 

 working order. 



The stream supplying the cascade starts from a 

 glade above, where are the cisterns for the water 

 supply, and falling over three successive drops it 

 reaches a narrow channel, whence it passes between 

 two columns and falls from step to step till it 

 emerges in the water theatre which faces the 

 entrance to the villa. 



Ilex woods cover the hillside. The parterre to 

 the east of the casino, with its pergola and boat- 

 shaped fountain, is charming. The elevation of 

 the casino on the Frascati side is imposing, and the 

 grille of iron and stone enclosing the grounds where 

 they adjoin the public gardens of Frascati is in 

 good taste. The entrance here is closed, and the 

 visitor should follow the road mounting to the 

 south-east till he comes to an avenue. 



VILLA FALCONIERI, FRASCATI. 



Built in 1648 by the architect Borromini for 

 Cardinal Ruffini, and the oldest villa at Frascati. 

 The grounds were laid out about twenty years 



