IOO 
THE ART OF GARDEN DESIGN IN ITALY 
its verdure, its rich rotundity; by the side of these rise the pines, erect like columns, bearing aloft 
their noble canopies, in the tranquil azure.’ 
A few years since the villa was acquired by the State from the Borghese family for 
three million lire, and is now the principal public park of Rome. The casino is to the north-east 
of the park, and has a fine entrance forecourt slightly rising towards the villa; this is enclosed 
by a stepped balustrade, illustrated on Plate 76, with seats at intervals, and the Borghese dragon 
carved in high relief upon all the piers. The angle piers, with their antique figures, are admirably 
disposed at each of the three entrances. Plate 79 > taken from an old engraving, gives a complete 
view of this forecourt, together with the casino. 
Upon either side of the casino are oblong walled gardens, which were used as flower 
