the old gardens of italy. 



451 



in a parallel line below the long terrace is the gallery of the Hundred 

 Fountains, which was apparently unique in its conception. 



At the end of the gallery is a pile of ruins, still interesting, and 

 supposed to be a model of ancient Rome. 



In the immediate vicinity of Rome, and on one of the 1 Seven Hills,' 

 is the entrance to Villa Borghese, which has long since passed into the 

 hands of the city and is now a public park, and in adapting it to public 

 requirements much of its ancient character has been lost. Still there 

 are some very interesting features remaining, probably the prettiest being 

 the water temple (fig. 94). 



The Vatican Gardens are entered by the side of the famous 

 St. Peter's, and are bounded on the west by the great block of the Vatican 



Fig. 100. — Ix the Gardens of the Vatican. 



buildings. Passing up the inclined road you reach the terrace overlooking 

 a great parterre, with possibly the finest views of the dome of St. Peter's 

 to be obtained in Rome. The whole parterre is divided into compartments, 

 with straight walks bounded by box edging and rows of oranges and 

 lemons in Roman pots. Successive Popes have tried to immortalize their 

 names by designing their Papal arms in neatly trimmed box (fig. 100). 



There is a neat enclosed garden entered from the side of the Vatican 

 Galleries, known as the Pine Garden, which is kept very secluded for the 

 Pope's private use. It takes its name from a huge bronze fir-cone placed 

 at one end of the garden, below a beautiful archway. The cone is believed 

 originally to have formed the apex of the Mausoleum of Hadrian. 



