80 RUDIMENTS OF

of the equality of the light, may remain
unchanged.

The better to convey an adequate idea
of the extent, accommodation, and gran-
deur of the Villas of the Romans, I shall
add Pliny's (the consul) description of his
Villa at Laurentinum. It may be proper
to observe, that this Villa was considered
as on a small scale.

After describing the route, the views on
the road, &c. he adds, my Villa is large
enough to afford a convenient, though not
sumptuous reception for my friends. The
part which first presents itself is the atrium,
(court yard) plain, but not mean; then
the portico, in form of the letter O, which
surrounds a .small, but pleasant area; this
is an excellent retreat in bad weather,
being sheltered by glazed windoMrs, but
more by the projection of the roof. Be-
yond the portico is a pleasant cavcedium,
(open court) passing which, is a handsome
triclinium, which advances upon the shore,
so that it is gently washed by the waves,
when the south-west wind blows. On
every side are folding doors, or windows
as large, so that from the sides and the