ROMAN VILLAS 
to disturb the original design. The gardens are still 
approached by a long shady alley which ascends from 
the piazza before the entrance ; and they are still di- 
vided into a symmetrically planted grove, a flower-gar- 
den before the house, and an upper wild-wood with 
a straight path leading to the ‘‘mount planted with 
cypresses.” 
It is safe to say that no one enters the grounds of the 
Villa Medici without being soothed and charmed by that 
garden-magic which is the peculiar quality of some of 
the old Italian pleasances. It is not necessary to be a 
student of garden-architecture to feel the spell of quiet 
and serenity which falls on one at the very gateway ; 
but it is worth the student’s while to try to analyze the 
elements of which the sensation is composed. Perhaps 
they will be found to resolve themselves into diversity, 
simplicity and fitness. The plan of the garden is simple, 
but its different parts are so contrasted as to produce, by 
the fewest means, a pleasant sense of variety without 
sacrifice of repose. The ilex-grove into which one first 
enters is traversed by hedged alleys which lead to rond- 
points with stone seats and marble Terms. At one point 
the enclosing wall of ilex is broken to admit a charming 
open loggia, whence one looks into the depths of green 
below. Emerging from the straight shady walks, with 
their effect of uniformity and repose, one comes on the 
flower-garden before the house, spreading to the sun- 
shine its box-edged parterres adorned with fountains 
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