The Italian Formal Garden 
the whole composition. There is enough architecture—not too 
much ; the contrasts are never too violent; sculptures and 
decorations are distributed with a rare sense of propriety; 
the water works are pleasingly varied and judiciously placed. 
Above all, scale is treated with consummate skill. A small 
garden is not designed like a great one, nor a monumental 
composition frittered away with petty details. 
“the nearly LEVEL VILLA ALBANI” 
III. 
The essential features of the Italian villa gardens are easily 
stated : first, the selection of a sloping site, cut into terraces 
affording a varied prospect from their successive levels. Sec¬ 
ondly, the distinctly architectural treatment of conspicuous 
points and features of the design. Thirdly, the use of running 
water in fountains and cascades upon each level of the design. 
Fourthly, the formal arrangement of flower-beds, hedges and 
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