This is only a part of a much larger enclosure, originally planted 

 with rows of trees, forming a compact bosco. At the farther end 

 an interesting teatro still exists where openings in the wall, giving 

 a view of park and landscape beyond, have been made the excuse 

 for a quite elaborate architectural enrichment. Opposite to this, a 

 semicircle of statues, hedged round with trees, completes a teatro which 

 is still a delightful retreat towards the close of a summer's day. 



Another feature which can hardly be passed over without mention, 

 is the great gateway at the end of the private gardens, with its scalloped 

 wall and oval niches for busts. This, like the very much decorated 

 lodge which faces it, is evidently work of the same period as the Aviary. 

 The principal entrance to the Villa was originally near the Porta 

 Pinciana. This was an arched gateway of travertine with the Borghese 

 arms in the pediment, from which an avenue of elms led to a rustic 

 fountain placed in the wall of the first enclosure, and close to the 

 spot where the " Sea-horse fountain " now stands, which was no 

 doubt removed when the wall between the garden and the park was 

 thrown down. This rock-work fountain was one of the class so much 

 in favour with the seventeenth-century architects, or their patrons. An 

 archway in the wall was surrounded by a deep frame of rock-work, set 

 beneath a classic pediment, a huge grotesque mask encrusted with stalac- 

 titic growth being an important feature above the arch. Below, in 

 the shadow of the archway, reposed a river-god, his arm resting on an 

 overturned vessel from which the water gushed out. A jet above the 

 archway threw a transparent sheet of water, half hiding, half revealing 

 the landscape beyond. Kjet d'eau on each side, with water streaming 

 down the rock-work into a great basin, completed the tout ensemble. 

 Our superior twentieth-century taste laughs at these puerile devices, but 

 are we really so far in advance of them ? 



The " Sea-horse fountain," a bold and effective piece of work 

 attributed to Bernini, occupies a prominent position where four alleys 

 meet. From out the shadow of the great basin issue forth prancing 

 steeds, tossing their shaggy manes and flourishing their absurd tails, 

 and the fountain rejoices in a plentiful supply of water, without 

 which the best planned fountain is apt to look somewhat insipid. 



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