Canova's amor and psyche.

The Hall Of Sculpture.

Weeks before Yuletide, too, the yellow calycan-thus flings its incense on the breeze, and gives a sunset tinge to the more sombre vegetation, against which its sharp, leafless branches produce innumerable picturesque and "Japanese" effects. Scarcely, however, has the calycanthus ceased to bloom, before camellias, - single and double, and phenomenally luxuriant, - with pink and white rosettes and chalices, begin to flush and star the verdant gloom.

Yet ere these opulent beauties pass their prime, the cinerarias, in rich varieties of blues, whites, purples, and magentas, startle the eye, accustomed thus far to much tamer hues. These last are scentless flowers; but soon innumerable roses, which till now have seemed to hold their breath, give forth their fragrance, and display their loveliness in sumptuous profusion, climbing with slender tendrils up the loftiest trees, to make them radiant with splendor; hanging, like Persian tapestries, from garden walls; dropping fine, petal-woven ladders from old Lombard towers; crowning the roofs of countless light pavilions, built above the lake; screening, like gilded lattice-work, fair ladies seated by an ivied parapet; and framing wave-lapped gates of charming villas with natural portieres of scented bloom; yet not disdaining to enwreathe a marble fountain or a grass-grown dial in some ancient cloister, or even to adorn the humble churchyard, where many of the hands which planted them lie now at rest.

In The Gardens Of The Villa Carlotta.

Children Of The Sun.

Children Of The Shade.

Besides all these advantages, -shared largely by all Larian parks, -the gardens of the Villa Carlotta have two special attractions, which are peerless. These are their rhododendrons and azaleas. The former often grow to a height of twenty-five feet, and their magnificent expanse of color, seen far out upon the lake, excites the admiration and astonishment of passing thousands. Surpassing these, however, in extent and variegated hues, are the unrivaled masses of azaleas, grouped in rolling hillocks at their feet. It is well worth a voyage across the Atlantic to behold this exhibition at its best. It is a new experience,-a revelation. One dreams that he is strolling in Elysian Fields, or else has entered Nature's nursery for the floral world. Imagine the huge drifts of snow, between which we have sometimes walked, like pygmies, after an unusual storm, changed suddenly into mounds of rainbow-tinted flowers! Viewed from a little distance, this display recalled to me a grand procession in Saint Peter's; and I could fancy that I saw, far as the eye could reach on either side, the pure white of pontifical robes, the scarlet of the cardinals, the purple of the bishops, the magenta of the monsignori, and the crimson of the seminarians, especially as the gor-geously attired throng seemed moving in two parallel lines among majestic trees, suggesting columns in cathedral aisles. One leaves this scene, as if he were emerging from a temple sacred to the worship of the Beautiful, whose service had been silent prayer, inaudible music, and a voiceless benediction. Ah, could we but retain all that we love thus and admire! Alas!

Summer's smile.

Azaleas On Lake Como.

these marvelous gifts of nature are ephemeral. Before the end of May has come, they rapidly grow frail, and - usually after a heavy shower -fall to the earth, their glory disappearing, like the extinguished sun-waves of a prism. Emblem of all that is most beautiful and fleeting, they vanish, like a wondrous vision, leaving a precious memory only, to make good their loss.

In the magnificent scenic panorama of Lake Como, Bellaggio holds the centre of the stage.

When one considers that this noble promontory stands precisely at the junction of the lake's three arms, all of which have at this point practically the same length and breadth, one feels that such consummate grace and symmetry cannot come from senseless geologic changes, but rather are the result of a determined plan, with beauty for its aim. For purposes of embellishment nothing more perfectly harmonious could be conceived. From every point for miles on either shore the Punta di Bellaggio draws the vision, like a magnet of attraction. Opinions differ as to whether it is best to make one's sojourn there continuous; for, though the view which it commands is glorious, it lacks of course the vista of Bellaggio itself. Many prefer on this account to stay upon the western side of the lake, from which Bellaggio is distinctly visible, and thence to visit it from time to time. It is a matter where the reasons for and against so nicely balance, that probably whichever plan the traveler may adopt, he will regret he did not choose the other. Accordingly, unless the trouble of changing hotels seems too great, successive halts both in, and opposite, Bellaggio are desirable.