Los Angeles herald., 1905-05-07

I and fig tree. A deep walled footpath
that had to be constructed for the con-
tadini in order to make a detour of the
grounds in lieu of the old foothpath
that led directly under the present
veranda, gives an effect OF a moat on
three sides and allows a good oppor-
tunity for an effective arched and tiled
passageway overhead, prettily shaded
by the boughs of spreading fig tree
and leading directly to the main en-
trance. That this Tower of the Four
Winds is the result Of loving care and
+, gradual development rather than any
cut and dried architectural plan is self
evident from the moment one passes
into It's grateful shadow. Seen from the
gulf below it stands out a conspicuous
object, glistening in its domed white
tower silhouetted in strong relief
against the huge rugged cliffs that
seem to rise in primitive grandeur, di-
rectly from the upper villa entrance.
But in reality there are many terraced
vineyards and olive orchards interven-
ing before the foot of the cliff Is
reached.
AS premier guest in this delightful
but still unfinished home, l was quar-
tered in the tower, with it's magnificent
views on either side, it's always refresh
ing breezes and it's occasionally hair
lifting gales. But before settling down
for an afternoon siesta, as is the habit
of all this part of the world, rich or
poor, peasant and lord alike, the well
coming host and myself were on the
! fiat roof, running up the Stars and
> Stripes as a salute to the graceful ves-
sci l had just left, and which as 1t
; showed a pair of clean heels to the
Capri island, with private signal and
New York Yacht club burgee flying, the
smart crew in blue and white plainly
seen through a powerful glass, grew
DINNER and DINNER until she became
mere speck and finally blended into the
purple haze that hid the base of distant
Vesuvius.
Superb Site for an Artist
That evening, as we sat out in the
little court to which wide and encircling
steps lead from the long arched cor
ridor that runs from where the project
ing tower divides the villa into not
quite equal parts, realizing sense be-
gan to dawn upon my mind of what
really superb site the versatile artist
had selected for his chosen home in
which to live his life and work out the
creative problem of his teeming brain,
literally under his own vine and fig
tree. And as his little family, wife and
daughter--for a son is working out
building problems of his own in Amer
ica-dwelt, with the knowledge that
only actual experience brings, upon the
; ways and means and complications
arising from becoming actual owners
of Italian property and buildings, where
heavy stone construction and road
: making with it's accessory details are
} fearful realities to contemplate, the
: visible results became wonder. Stand
ing as the villa does upon the backbone
of the island, surmounted by towering
cliffs at either end, the views are al
most unparalleled.
Dominated by the Tower
To have an adequate idea of the
place as a whole it must be borne in
mind that whether approaching from a
distance or standing near at hand the
dominating feature is the tower,
topped by a plain terra Gotta bricked
dome, with series of four Byzantine
windows on either side and a large
arched double window opening out on
solidly but gracefully braced bal
cony from the largest room in the
house, which is reserved for the fort
unate guest. Curiously enough, i'm
mediately under this room In the tower
are the kitchen and buffers pantry
and refrigerator room, all immaculate
ly tiled. The main entrance from the
terraced walk leads up side steps and
round under one of the veranda arches
already spoken Of and there one Is
tempted to turn into the kitchen.
If the door happens to be open there
is delight in store for all interested
housekeepers, the great green tiled
range with its brilliant array of shin
ing copper utensils and other wonder
fully artistic culinary apparatus-util-
ity unknown so far as the present
writer is concerned-sights sure to
make one pause before passing the dim
ing room entrance and continuing on
beyond TO the drawing room. All Of
these doors open out upon the veranda,
from where the great sweep of the
gulf and island cliffs may be enjoyed
at leisure over the afternoon tea, which
is sure to be served whatever else may
happen.
il Drawing room doors lead both to the