flows into a low curved basin placed between two rudely carved 

 caryatides, which support a pediment with a* curved top. Above 

 the terrace wall is to be seen a steep slope. The central feature of 

 this part of the villa is a double stairway in several flights, which, 

 being arranged in a series of curves, recede and approach one 

 another at each resting-place. This stair leads up to a Jrontispizio, 

 a series of niches framed in with pilasters and entablature, which 

 screens part of the great terrace wall. From the central niche 

 descends a kind of waterfall. All the architectural features are set 

 off by balustrades and statues, slim obelisks, and balls, with many 

 vases containing lemon-trees. One other feature of this part of the 

 garden was the arbour or covered walk that, starting on each side 

 of the stairway, ran the whole length of the slope, and made a 

 pleasant shade in what would otherwise have been a shadeless garden. 



The absence of shade may possibly have influenced the changes 

 which were shortly afterward made in this lower garden. Ilex 

 hedges were freely planted all along the slope, bordering the 

 various pathways and the central stair. These, which possibly were 

 only intended in the first instance to form high hedges, have now 

 grown into large trees, so converting all the lower grounds into a 

 shady grove, most pleasant in the early summer, and making the 

 hanging garden on the summit of the hill accessible from the palace 

 even on the warmest days. 



In his print Vasi does not hint at the existence of a cascade. 

 Presuming that this omission is not owing to carelessness on his 

 part, and he is usually fairly correct, the cascade, with its accom- 

 panying stairways, must have been put in hand very shortly after 

 his print was issued. As it now appears, it certainly adds greatly to 

 the beauty and interest of the garden, and, though not on a grand 

 scale like those at Frascati, for the situation would not permit of it, 

 it possesses a peculiar charm of its own. Starting from the fountain 

 niche above, the water falls into a succession of shallow basins, 

 divided from the stairs on each side by low stepped walls. Conchs 

 are placed upright at the lip of each basin ; from these, and probably 

 from other points in the descent, jets of water spurted, filling the 



24 



