at their best in work of a lighter vein, which forms a pleasing contrast to 

 the more robust style of della Porta. 



The hill side, from the lowest terrace to the summit, has been orna- 

 mented with a great variety of fountains, large and small, including a 

 magnificent cascade, ending in a thedtre d'eau. Immediately behind the 

 casino^ and only separated from it by the width of a terrace, is this thedtre, 

 on lines similar to those at the Villa Lancellotti and the Villa Mondra- 

 gone. But this one is much more highly decorated, and the wings, ex- 

 tending some forty paces on either side, are a more important feature ; 

 the hemicycle, though larger, has only five principal niches, below which 

 are five circular basins connected with each other by a channel. 



An engraving of the thidtre d'eau, made by Barriere about 1647, '^^^ 

 also gives a short description of its principal features, shows how few 

 changes have been made since his day. In the central niche he shows us 

 a group of Atlas bearing the world upon his shoulders with Hercules 

 about to relieve him of his burden. From the globe innumerable tiny 

 jets of water issue and fall down in finest rain. 



On each side of this are niches which contain a detached fountain- 

 basin supported by tritons, and all around, in smaller niches, stand 

 " nymphs, Neptune, and other marine gods." Beyond these are two 

 other niches with a background of stalactite-work ; the one to the left 

 has a seated Cyclops, who " discourses most excellent music " upon the 

 pan-pipes. In the fellow niche to the right is a Centaur who blows a 

 horn or bucina, " the sound of which may be heard four miles away." 

 Between the principal niches are placed statues within smaller square- 

 headed niches. 



The entablature, which has a long Latin inscription relative to the 

 founder and his villa, is supported by Ionic pilasters, except where these 

 are replaced by figures, male and female, among which are to be seen 

 some curious water-creatures, like those to be found at the Villa d'Este, 

 furnished with two tails so twisted around each other that they resemble 

 certain long sea-shells. 



Above the cornice is a handsome balustrade with statues over each 

 pilaster. These unhappily are things of the past, their places having been 

 taken by vases containing aloes. 



61 



