454 LANDSCAPE GAEDENING. 



looking up the third lake, and to the snowy Alps, and 

 down a perpendicular precipice of some six hundred 

 feet into an exquisite flower garden below, into which, 

 you are prevented from falling, by a parapet interlaced 

 with every variety of honeysuckle and clematis. 



The other walk from the cavern led along a similar 

 wall of rock, pierced with holes, having an occasional 

 frame of rustic work, covered with air plants (orchids) 

 and parasites. This led by a grand terrace, balustraded 

 and statued, and commanding the three lakes to the 

 palace. 



We have attempted to give our recollection of this 

 wonderful spot; not that we expect it to be a model 

 for anything tet to be done in America, but because it 

 is the only place we remember to have seen in any part 

 of the world which we have visited where a great 

 work of art has been produced in a very considerable 

 degree by the forms and colors of trees. The dim and 

 sombre efi'ects of the caverns and tunnels have been 

 marvelously extended and increased by the deep, dark, 

 purple colors selected for this purpose, while the gay, 

 graceful, sparkling spray and glitter of the fairy-like 

 acacias, are so blended and interwoven with the sun- 

 shine that one cannot but feel, how much even nature, 

 grand as she always is, can some times be aided by 

 man. There are many bold and prominent bluffs and 

 promontories in this country on our beautifnl and pictur- 

 esque rivers and majestic lakes where much of the ar- 

 tistic beauty of Bellagio can be accomplished by judi- 

 cious and tasteful planting, and although we have not a 

 climate which admits hedges of oleander and myrtle, at 

 least at the Nort^ yet when we know the colors, forms 

 and habits .of many trees which have as yet never 

 been employed in ornamental landscape, we shall be 

 surprised to find how much material we have for pro- 

 ducing the most remarkable and the most pleasing 

 results. 



