adies were to be seated. The walls at the sides he divided
each into four square spaces of ten braccia, separated by niches each
four braccia in breadth, within which were figures, and these niches
had each on either side a terminal figure in relief, nine braccia
high; insomuch that the niches on either side were five and the
terminal figures ten, and in the whole apartment there were altogether
ten niches, twenty terminal figures, and eight square pictures with
scenes. In the first of these pictures (which were all in
chiaroscuro), that on the right hand, next the stage, there was,
representing Venice, a most beautiful figure of Adria depicted as
seated upon a rock in the midst of the sea, with a branch of coral in
the hand. Around her stood Neptune, Thetis, Proteus, Nereus, Glaucus,
Palaemon, and other sea gods and nymphs, who were presenting to her
jewels, pearls, gold, and other riches of the sea; and besides this
there were some Loves that were shooting arrows, and others that were
flying through the air and scattering flowers, and the rest of the
field of the picture was all most beautiful palms. In the second
picture were the Rivers Drava and Sava naked, with their vases. In the
third was the Po, conceived as large and corpulent, with seven sons,
representing the seven branches which, issuing from the Po, pour into
the sea as if each of them were a kingly river. In the fourth was the
Brenta, with other rivers of Friuli. On the other wall, opposite to
the Adria, was the Island of Candia, wherein was to be seen Jove being
suckled by the Goat, with many Nymphs around. Beside this, and
opposite to the Drava, were the River Tagliamento and the Mountains of
Cadore. Beyond this, opposite to the Po, were Lake Benacus and the
Mincio, which were pouring their waters into the Po; and beside them,
opposite to the Brenta, were the Adige and the Tesino, falling into
the sea. The pictures on the right-hand side were divided by these
Virtues, placed in the niches--Liberality, Concord, Compassion, Peace,
and Religion; and opposite to these, on the other wall, were
Fortitude, Civic Wisdom, Justice, a Victory with War beneath her, and,
lastly, a Charity. Above all, then, were a large cornice and
architrave, and a frieze full of lights and of glass globes filled
with distilled waters, to the end that these, having lights behind
them, might illuminate the whole apartment. Next, the ceiling was
divided into four quadrangular compartmen