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NOTES ON DECOEATIVE GAKDENING. 
165 Wk 
J 
inE VILLA PAKFILI DOltlA. 
villa Panfili Doria may be cited as an example. Of this magnificent specimen, the engraving ■will con- 
vey a good general idea. 
As displaying the true feeling of the palatial terraces of the school, these Italian villas are the safest, 
as they are the original models. I find, in my Italian journal, the following notes on these fine monu- 
ments of architectm-al and gardenesque composition. 
The villas of the modern Romans merit the name of palaces, and form one of the most characteristic 
featm-es of Italian scenery. Of those in the immediate vicinity of Rome, that of the Borghesi family, 
which is the confiscated domain of the unfortunate Cenci, is the most important ; it is open to the pub- 
he, and forms the Hyde Park of the Romans ; but, neither Hyde Park, nor Kensington gardens, nor 
the Tuillerics, nor Versailles, can convey any idea of the peculiar charms of a Roman villa. There is 
a freshne.ss of vegetation about the subm-ban ffeZj;:i'e of Rome, that the neighbom-hood of large towns 
always tarnishes, except in Italy. But there, close under the walls of Rome, the Appenine Anemone, 
of various tints, brightly-coloured Scillas, the deep-crimson Cyclamen, and many beantiful Orcliids, put 
forth their fragrant blossoms in early spring, as in the woody dells of the secluded country. The 
" sky-cleaving Cypress" shoots aloft its pointed or forked peak to a height equal to the Poplar of the 
north, and noble groves of lUces, whoso vast trunks spread above with groined brauchwork, into densely- 
matted foliage, form 
" A pillared shade 
TVith echoing walks beneath." 
The peculiar character of the tufted heads of the Stone Pines, too, grouping in picturesque masses with 
terraces, statues, and fountains, tend to invest Roman villas with a charm pecnharly then- own. 
To retm-n to tlie subject of om- engraving, the villa Panfili Doria is next in importance to that of 
Borghesi among the villas near Rome ; but its somewhat greater distance, and nnliealthy situation, 
cause it to be much less frequented. The palace itself is, on its exterior, almost entirely encrusted with 
antique alto-rdieri, some of wliich are of the highest merit, and most exquisite beautj'. This is a luxmy 
which cannot be imitated, except in Italy, where the soil still teems with the fragments of her ancient 
splendour, many of the finest of these relieri having been turned up in digging the foundation of the 
building. The whole of the composition of this palace and gardens — for the whole forms one harmonious 
design — is an excellent model for the careful examination of the modern student, but the reduced 
dimensions of our engi-aving, can convey but a very inadequate idea of the numerous and elaborate 
details. 
I find the following brief notices of one or two other villas in my jom-nal, with which I shall conclude 
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