It Is Environed By A
Large Circular Basin Or Lake Lined With Stone And Planted With Orange Trees
On The Whole Circumference.
In the centre of the lake is a rock and on this
rock is a colossal statue in white marble of Neptune in his car.
The car is
in the shape of a marine conch and serves as a basin and fountain at the
same time. There are several other fountains and jets d'eau, among which
is a group representing Adam and Eve and the statue of a man pouring out
water from a vase which he has on his shoulder.
The Corso or grand evening promenade for carriages and equestrians is on
a place called the Cascino, pronounced by the Florentines Hascino. The
Cascino consists of pleasure grounds on the banks of the Arno outside the
town, laid out in roads, alleys and walks for carriages, equestrians and
pedestrians. There is a very brilliant display of carriages every evening.
There are restaurants on the Cascino and supper parties are often formed
here. This place is often the scene of curious adventures. Cicisbeism is
universal at Florence, tho' far from being always criminal, as is generally
supposed by foreigners. I find the Florentine women very graceful and many
very handsome; but in point of beauty the female peasantry far exceed the
noblesse and burghers. All of them however dress with taste. The
handsomest woman in Florence is the wife of an apothecary who lives in the
Piazza del Duomo and she has a host of admirers.
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