n: PALAZZO GRIMALDI

(_After =Galeazzo Alessi=. Genoa_)

_Alinari_]

Now I will not omit to say that he has made the lake and island of
Signor Adamo Centurioni, abounding in waters and fountains contrived
in various beautiful and fantastic ways, and also the fountain of the
Captain Larcaro, near the city, which is a most remarkable work; but
beyond all the different kinds of fountains that he has made for many
persons, most beautiful is the bath that he has made in the house of
Signor Giovan Battista Grimaldi at Bisagno. This bath, which in form
is round, has in the centre a little basin wherein eight or ten
persons can bathe without inconvenience; which basin has hot water
from four heads of sea-monsters that appear as if issuing from it, and
cold water from as many frogs that are over those heads of monsters.
Around that basin, to which one descends by three circular steps,
there curves a space wide enough for two persons to walk in comfort.
The circular wall of the whole bath is divided into eight spaces, in
four of which are four great niches, each of which contains a round
basin that is raised a little from the ground, half being within the
niche and half remaining without; and in the centre of each basin a
man can bathe, hot and cold water coming from a great mask that pours
it through the horns and draws it in again when necessary by the
mouth. In one of the other four spaces is the door, and in the other
three are windows and places to sit; and all the eight spaces are
separated by terminal figures, which support the cornice upon which
rests the round vaulting of the whole bath. From the centre of that
vaulting hangs a great ball of crystal-glass, on which is painted the
sphere of the heavens, and within it the globe of the earth, from
certain parts of which, when one uses the bath at night, comes a
brilliant light that renders the place as light as if it were mid-day.
I forbear to speak of the anteroom, the dressing-room, and the small
bath, which are full of stucco-ornaments, and of the pictures that
adorn the place, so as not to be longer than is needful; let it
suffice to say that they are in no way unworthy of so great a work.

In Milan, under the direction of the same Galeazzo, has been built the
Palace of Signor Tommaso Marini, Duke of Terranuova; and also,
possibly, the facade of the fabric of S. Celso that is now being
built, the auditorium of the Cambio, which is round in form, the
already begun C