The topmost terrace of the Isola Bella is crowned
by a mount, against which is built a water-theatre of
excessively baroque design. This architectural compo-
sition faces the southern front of the palace, a large and
not very interesting building standing to the north of
the gardens ; while the southern extremity of the island
terminates in a beautiful garden-pavilion, hexagonal in
shape, with rusticated coigns and a crowning balustrade
beset with statues. Even the narrow reef projecting

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ITALIAN VILLAS

into the lake below this paviUon has been converted
into another series of terraces, with connecting flights
of steps, which carry down to the water's edge the
exuberant verdure of the upper gardens.
