commenced the great eight-sided fountain, which was destined to receive 

 into its lowermost basin all the before-mentioned waters. To each of 

 these eight sides ascends a step one-fifth of a braccia in height, and each 

 angle of the eight sides has a ressault, as have likewise the steps, which, 

 projecting thus, present at each angle a step of two-fifths of a braccia, in 

 such sort that the central front of the steps recedes at the ressaults, the 

 direct line being interrupted : a fanciful invention which has a pleasing 

 effect to the eye, while the ascent is found to be very easy. The edge 

 of the fountain has the form of a vase, and the body, or that part which 

 contains the water, is in the figure of a circle. The foot or pedestal in 

 the centre of the basin has eight sides at the lowest part, and continues 

 in this shape, forming eight stages or seats, even to the foot of the 

 tazza. 



" On each of these stages is the seated figure of a boy in full relief and 

 of the size of life ; these children are in various attitudes, their arms and 

 legs entwined together to form a kind of chain ; all exceedingly beautiful, 

 and constituting a very rich ornament. The edge of the tazza, which 

 is circular, projects to the extent of six braccia, while all the water falls 

 equally over the edges, forming a beautiful rain around it, and falling into 

 the basin of eight sides which is below. The boys thus seated on the 

 foot therefore are not wetted, and even have the appearance of being 

 assembled in sport within and beneath the lip of that tazza for the 

 purpose of sheltering themselves from the falling waters, exhibiting 

 with supreme grace a sort of childlike delight in the nook within which 

 they have crept, the simplicity and loveliness of which cannot be 

 equalled. Opposite to the four sides of the crossways that lead from the 

 fountain to the garden are four boys in bronze, reclining and lying at 

 play in various attitudes ; these, although subsequently executed by 

 others, are likewise from the designs of Tribolo. 



" Above the tazza just described he then commenced another 

 pedestal, on the lowermost part of which are statues of four boys 

 in marble, standing on ressaults and pressing the necks of geese 

 from whose bills the water pours. Above these boys rises the remainder 

 of the shaft of th^s pedestal, from which project small tubes 

 ■ whence the water streams in the most fanciful manner;' where the 



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