SUBURBAN GARDENS 155 



children twining festoons of flowers and putting flower- 

 pots upon the flat roofs of houses, in honour of the 

 occasion. This was in all probability the origin of the 

 roof gardening which was introduced later into Italy. 



The descriptions of the palaces of the Roman 

 Emperors give us ideas for many a large house, where an 

 extensive roof-space (or, in plain English, the " leads ") 

 could be made pretty by very simple means. Diocletian's 

 palace must have been a very lovely one, for it was built 

 upon a square piece of ground and had towers at intervals 

 to command the view. Upon the side overhanging the 

 sea was an open portico, where people could walk under 

 cover, and upon the top of this was a roof garden. 



From pictures of the palaces built on the Palatine Hill 

 we can weave dream-gardens for ourselves. The dining- 

 rooms used by the Emperors usually had three couches, 

 and from these could be had views over the gardens, or 

 into small courts where splashing fountains cooled the air. 

 They were so particular about having a pleasant outlook 

 that, when the view itself was not attractive, scenery was 

 painted and hung up to take the place of natural trees or 

 distant mountains. In some of the banqueting-halls the 

 walls revolved so as to give greater variety. Wherever 

 it was possible vistas were planned to be seen from 

 different windows, and in order to help any irregularity of 

 design caused by a difficult shape of ground, a simply conT 

 structed arch was placed to bring about formality. 



There are large houses in London where, even if the 

 artificiality of painted scenery and revolving walls is not 

 desired, yet a pleasant outlook could be obtained through 

 the use of " perspective treillage." As a decoration to 

 the walls of adjacent leads or courts, it is restful and gives 

 great scope for imagination and design. Then, too, a 

 good piece of sculpture or architectural work in the centre 

 of a small court, or a fountain surrounded by little trees in 



