which contained a somewhat complex arrangement of box, or, a bosco 

 laid out with intricate alleys and cabinets^ after the fashion so common 

 later in France and England. There is no doubt that this was the case 

 in some gardens. North of Florence, however, especially in villas of 

 later date, labyrinths are not uncommon, and good examples are still to 

 be seen both at Stra and Castellazzo. From the maze a long staircase, 

 broken only by an occasional landing-place, leads up to the palace, close 

 beneath the walls of which is a little giardino segreto enclosed by a 

 balustrade and decorated with busts. Across one end of this is a wellr 

 preserved aviary, so placed as to be readily accessible from the house. 



Returning once more to the second terrace, you find a charming 

 little open-air theatre, which is set back in a recess in the bosco and is 

 entirely overshadowed by trees. The stage, which is turfed over, is 

 raised about two feet above the terrace, and is encircled by box-trees 

 clipped in quaint shapes which form the wings. Statues are set on 

 either side, and a wall fountain formS a pleasant background. The front 

 of the stage is masked by a box-hedge, and a rounded boss in the centre 

 covers the prompter's seat. A similar theatre exists at a villa a few 

 miles from Genoa, and another on a somewhat larger scale near to 

 Siena. 



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