And  now,  by  simply  turning  round,  we  are  on  a  terrace  close
to  the  Bay,  which,  for  its  beauty  and  enchanting  prospects,  if
any  where  equaled,  can  not  be  excelled.  Three  hundred  feet
long,  forty-five  wide,  paved  with  white  and  colored  marble ;  in
closed  by  low  walls,  in  which  are  continuous  seats,  except  where
interrupted  by  short  columns  bearing  flower-vases,  and  both
columns,  backs  and  fronts  of  seats — the  whole  interior  surfaces


80  SKETCHES    OF

of  the  walls — lined  with  painted  and  enameled  tiles.  Near  each
extremity  of  the  promenade,  a  light  octagonal  structure  offers
shelter  from  the  sun's  rays,  and  seats  for  all  who  choose  to  en
ter.  Stairs  here  also  communicate  with  the  garden.  A  spirit
ed  Mercury,  with  his  caduceus  elevated,  stands  at  the  head  of
one  flight,  and  the  god  of  music,  with  his  lyre,  at  the  other.  Both
are  in  bronze,  of  the  natural  size,  and,  with  the  rest  of  the  works
in  metal,  were  brought  from  Portugal.
