THE VATICAN GARDENS, ROME 
97 
A comparison of Falda’s plan and 
the engraving of Nolli 1 shows that some time 
in the first half of the eighteenth century 
the ‘ giardino segreto ’ underwent consider¬ 
able embellishment. Falda shows it as a 
square orange garden divided into four plots, 
whilst Nolli shows the garden much in its 
original condition. 
The remainder of the grounds are 
almost entirely devoted to woods, intersected 
by shady paths, a wild woodland ‘where in 
April days ten thousand odorous cyclamen 
flowers flush with crimson all the moss 
beneath the trees.’ Along the west side of 
the palace is a terrace garden overlooking 
the city, and here is Bernini’s beautiful 
bronze ship executed for Paul V., illustrated 
on Plate 73. Its hull and rigging are still 
in a good state of preservation, and through 
its portholes grin little miniature cannon; 
behind, in a large niche against the wall, sits 
Father Neptune, gravely watching over the 
quiet scene. 
. '1°° _ ^°° METRES. 
_J_ f FEET. 
HIT 
VILLA PIA Fountain in Court. 
1 1 Nuova Pianta di Roma,’ MDCCXLVIII. 
