THE LURE OF THE GARDEN 
by gently sloping ramps between green hedges, under 
arches cut in the greenery and marked by obelisks of 
stone or huge jars of terra-cotta. Or perhaps you fol¬ 
low a curving flight of steps against a great stone wall 
that partly surrounds a fountain full of broken reflec¬ 
tions, up to a terrace crowded with roses, stepping into 
a sudden glory of light and color from the cool shadow, 
with the sound of falling water in your ears. 
The Villa Danti, with its magnificent view over the 
hills of Vallambrosa, is approached through lofty iron 
gates behind which are two carved stone flanges stand¬ 
ing at either side of a long straight drive bordered by 
splendid cypresses, black against the sky. After pass¬ 
ing through their stern shadow and slim formality, the 
garden, in its clipped and fantastic loveliness and the riot 
of its color, bursts deliciously on the view. 
The Villa Palmieri has many gardens, each with its 
studied entrance. The coping of the high outer wall is 
finished in graceful curves, each rise topped with an urn. 
A massive entrance under a heavy arch makes the main 
gateway. Within are others manifold, some mere open¬ 
ings in the hedges marked by stone pines or a few steps, 
some proceeding through long pergolas floored with tiles 
and adorned by old busts and statues. 
The Italians loved flights of steps that curved out of 
sight, and walls of varying heights, usually built of stone 
with niches for statues, and long seats. Fountains often 
fall down these walls. They loved long green alleys 
