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Inside the Garden of Gesthemane, a monk inspects some of the plants, and ancient olive tree in the background.

Inside the Garden of Gesthemane, a monk inspects some of the plants, and ancient olive tree in the background.

This view of the Belvedere Gardens and Courtyard at the Vatican is particularly important since it shows the courtyard as it was originally designed by Donato Bramante in 1505. Bramante's design offered an unobstructed prospect from the papal apartments (at left) through the length of the courtyard to the exedra, the semi-circular structure at the right of the image. This perspectival view was later blocked by the construction of a library for Pope Sixtus V in 1587-89.

This view of the Belvedere Gardens and Courtyard at the Vatican is particularly important since it shows the courtyard as it was originally designed by Donato Bramante in 1505. Bramante's design offered an unobstructed prospect from the papal apartments (at left) through the length of the courtyard to the exedra, the semi-circular structure at the right of the image. This perspectival view was later blocked by the construction of a library for Pope Sixtus V in 1587-89.

A woodcut depicting Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while the apostles sleep around him.

A woodcut depicting Jesus Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane while the apostles sleep around him.

A view of Damascus from the outskirts of the city, showing the vast gardens.

A view of Damascus from the outskirts of the city, showing the vast gardens.

An engraving depicting the Villa Medici and gardens in Rome.

An engraving depicting the Villa Medici and gardens in Rome.

Two letters (mailed together) from Donald Lerch to his wife, Elsie, letting her know that her coat has not arrived in Clearwater yet but that he has received the letters she sent from Atlanta and Miami on her way to Cuba, sending well wishes to Lois and her family, giving her an update on the neighborhood and their friends, letting her know she's had a few phone calls and letters, sharing that there has been nothing of note in the news other than the city voting to change the one way streets back to two way streets, urging her to stay in Cuba as long as she would like, describing a lovely

Two letters (mailed together) from Donald Lerch to his wife, Elsie, letting her know that her coat has not arrived in Clearwater yet but that he has received the letters she sent from Atlanta and Miami on her way to Cuba, sending well wishes to Lois and her family, giving her an update on the neighborhood and their friends, letting her know she's had a few phone calls and letters, sharing that there has been nothing of note in the news other than the city voting to change the one way streets back to two way streets, urging her to stay in Cuba as long as she would like, describing a lovely

A letter from Donald Lerch to his wife, Elsie, his daughter, Lois, and her husband, Morrell, hoping that Elsie has made it safely to Mayari and settled in, giving them an update on how he is getting along without Elsie there, describing the garden, mentioning that he had a chance to speak to Ms. Jones (who had recently visited Lois and Morrell), describing a trip he took with frineds to a lake, letting them know he likely will not be joining the rest of the family in Cuba due to work scheduling, and wishing the family well.

A letter from Donald Lerch to his wife, Elsie, his daughter, Lois, and her husband, Morrell, hoping that Elsie has made it safely to Mayari and settled in, giving them an update on how he is getting along without Elsie there, describing the garden, mentioning that he had a chance to speak to Ms. Jones (who had recently visited Lois and Morrell), describing a trip he took with frineds to a lake, letting them know he likely will not be joining the rest of the family in Cuba due to work scheduling, and wishing the family well.

An inkstone engraved on five sides with various scenes of a crowd gathered in the gardens of a large pavilion. The inverse of the stone is engraved with the text of the Lanting Xu (兰亭集序; 난정집서), a famous piece of Chinese calligraphy considered to have been written by the famous calligrapher, Wang Xizhi (王羲之; 왕희지), during the Jin dynasty (266-420 BCE). On the front of the stone, a lone scholar, possibly Wang Xizhi, sits at a desk overlooking a pond which makes up the ink well and plain.

An inkstone engraved on five sides with various scenes of a crowd gathered in the gardens of a large pavilion. The inverse of the stone is engraved with the text of the Lanting Xu (兰亭集序; 난정집서), a famous piece of Chinese calligraphy considered to have been written by the famous calligrapher, Wang Xizhi (王羲之; 왕희지), during the Jin dynasty (266-420 BCE). On the front of the stone, a lone scholar, possibly Wang Xizhi, sits at a desk overlooking a pond which makes up the ink well and plain.

A view looking down at the Garden of Gethsemane below the Mount of Olives.

A view looking down at the Garden of Gethsemane below the Mount of Olives.

An engraving depicting the Villa Mattei, now known as Villa Celimontana, in Rome and the gardens surrounding.

An engraving depicting the Villa Mattei, now known as Villa Celimontana, in Rome and the gardens surrounding.

An engraving depicting the gardens and palace of Villa Montalto (also known as Villa Montalto Peretti, Villa Montalto Peretti Massimo, and Villa Negroni) in Rome. The entire complex was leveled to make room for the Roma Termini.

An engraving depicting the gardens and palace of Villa Montalto (also known as Villa Montalto Peretti, Villa Montalto Peretti Massimo, and Villa Negroni) in Rome. The entire complex was leveled to make room for the Roma Termini.

An engraving of the Belvedere Gardens in Vatican City, as well as the Vatican Palace and Belvedere Court.

An engraving of the Belvedere Gardens in Vatican City, as well as the Vatican Palace and Belvedere Court.

An engraving depicting the Papal Palace (also known as the Vatican Palace, Apostolic Palace, and Palace of Sixtus V) and gardens located within the Vatican City in Rome.

An engraving depicting the Papal Palace (also known as the Vatican Palace, Apostolic Palace, and Palace of Sixtus V) and gardens located within the Vatican City in Rome.

The courtyard of the Oriental Inn in the fishing town of Tiberias.

The courtyard of the Oriental Inn in the fishing town of Tiberias.

A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway informing her that Sarah had turned down an opportunity to go to Ranelagh Gardens in order to visit Miss Galloway, only to be asked by her father to delay her visit and greet guests instead, asking if Miss Galloway might consider coming to visit Sarah instead, and informing her of Sarah's intentions to visit the next day.

A letter from Sarah Wesley to Miss Galloway informing her that Sarah had turned down an opportunity to go to Ranelagh Gardens in order to visit Miss Galloway, only to be asked by her father to delay her visit and greet guests instead, asking if Miss Galloway might consider coming to visit Sarah instead, and informing her of Sarah's intentions to visit the next day.

A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, saying she intends to return on Wednesday, relating a social visit with Lady Mary Fitzgerald, sharing her plans for dining with the Master of the grammar school at Guildford and her tour of the grounds of Mr. Martin's estate, detailing the religious uproar in the area and praising the hospitality some Calvinists towards her and other Methodists, sharing a story of having dinner with a man who was vehemently speaking against John Wesley without realizing who she was, and sending her love to her whole family and their friends.

A letter from Sarah Wesley to her mother, Sarah (Gwynne) Wesley, saying she intends to return on Wednesday, relating a social visit with Lady Mary Fitzgerald, sharing her plans for dining with the Master of the grammar school at Guildford and her tour of the grounds of Mr. Martin's estate, detailing the religious uproar in the area and praising the hospitality some Calvinists towards her and other Methodists, sharing a story of having dinner with a man who was vehemently speaking against John Wesley without realizing who she was, and sending her love to her whole family and their friends.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, discussing her weekly schedule and change in her letter writing, thanking them for sending hairnets, describing the weather and the effect of the rain on the garden, mentioning the completion of the clinic's new roof and the beginning of some improvement projects at the church, sharing that she is almost done with preparations for the family trip to Costa Rica, mentioning that Morrell went to Holguin recently but they haven't been able to get to Santiago, discussing the process for getting Esther's United States citizenship

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, discussing her weekly schedule and change in her letter writing, thanking them for sending hairnets, describing the weather and the effect of the rain on the garden, mentioning the completion of the clinic's new roof and the beginning of some improvement projects at the church, sharing that she is almost done with preparations for the family trip to Costa Rica, mentioning that Morrell went to Holguin recently but they haven't been able to get to Santiago, discussing the process for getting Esther's United States citizenship

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, mentioning that Morrell has gone to visit Geraldo in Guantanamo and that they are doing well there, describing how her garden has been faring, thanking them for sending the money collected at their Bible School to help with the clinic, describing her plans for writing letters to express the needs of the clinic, sharing that they have completed the summer Bible school in one town and are close to the end in another, giving an update on the children, and sharing that Morrell is still avoiding travelling at night when he has to go and preach in

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, mentioning that Morrell has gone to visit Geraldo in Guantanamo and that they are doing well there, describing how her garden has been faring, thanking them for sending the money collected at their Bible School to help with the clinic, describing her plans for writing letters to express the needs of the clinic, sharing that they have completed the summer Bible school in one town and are close to the end in another, giving an update on the children, and sharing that Morrell is still avoiding travelling at night when he has to go and preach in

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter, mentioning that Gerado has been relocated to Guantanamo, describing the young couple who has been assigned to Guayabo, discussing the way they've had to redistribute various vehicles because of the changes in assignments, giving an update on the children, reporting on the clinic, describing how the garden has been faring, and mentioning that Blanca is making Esther a dress as part of her sewing class.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter, mentioning that Gerado has been relocated to Guantanamo, describing the young couple who has been assigned to Guayabo, discussing the way they've had to redistribute various vehicles because of the changes in assignments, giving an update on the children, reporting on the clinic, describing how the garden has been faring, and mentioning that Blanca is making Esther a dress as part of her sewing class.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, joking about Steed's behavior, thanking them for sending a camera with the Johnsons, informing them about the family's new puppy (Jack), giving updates on Morrell's work with the youth camp and Bible Schools, describing the weather and its affect on the garden, sharing about the business of the clinic and her work there, thanking them for the magazines they sent, sending well wishes to a sick friend, and letting them know that the package they had sent is on its way.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, joking about Steed's behavior, thanking them for sending a camera with the Johnsons, informing them about the family's new puppy (Jack), giving updates on Morrell's work with the youth camp and Bible Schools, describing the weather and its affect on the garden, sharing about the business of the clinic and her work there, thanking them for the magazines they sent, sending well wishes to a sick friend, and letting them know that the package they had sent is on its way.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for letting the family know Elsie returned to Florida safely, expressing how much they enjoyed her visit and how much they wish Donald could have joined them, explaining that they won't be able to do their usual summer camps because of the revolution but that it shouldn't prevent the family from traveling to Florida in September, assuring that she is sending some of the clinic information, reporting that their week with a visiting preacher went very well, sharing how busy she has been preparing for a church program,

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for letting the family know Elsie returned to Florida safely, expressing how much they enjoyed her visit and how much they wish Donald could have joined them, explaining that they won't be able to do their usual summer camps because of the revolution but that it shouldn't prevent the family from traveling to Florida in September, assuring that she is sending some of the clinic information, reporting that their week with a visiting preacher went very well, sharing how busy she has been preparing for a church program,

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, mentioning that they've started having patients at the clinic overnight because of how busy it has been, thanking them for sending some cloth for her to fix her dress, asking about Donald's shoulder, reporting on the success of the events they held on Friday and Saturday to recognize the work of the church and clinic and raise money, sharing that they are hoping that Morrell's mother will come to visit, describing the recent weather and how the family garden is faring, and giving them an update on how Steed has been.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, mentioning that they've started having patients at the clinic overnight because of how busy it has been, thanking them for sending some cloth for her to fix her dress, asking about Donald's shoulder, reporting on the success of the events they held on Friday and Saturday to recognize the work of the church and clinic and raise money, sharing that they are hoping that Morrell's mother will come to visit, describing the recent weather and how the family garden is faring, and giving them an update on how Steed has been.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, giving an update on the children, mentioning that Morrell is still away at the conference, describing the picnic she took the children on with the Milk and Nesman families, thanking them for news from home, reporting on her work in the clnic, describing improvements in Steed's speech, mentioning the new pair of shoes she bought for Steed, reporting on the state of the family garden which is producing tomatoes, and describing the fundraising the Women's Society has been doing.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, giving an update on the children, mentioning that Morrell is still away at the conference, describing the picnic she took the children on with the Milk and Nesman families, thanking them for news from home, reporting on her work in the clnic, describing improvements in Steed's speech, mentioning the new pair of shoes she bought for Steed, reporting on the state of the family garden which is producing tomatoes, and describing the fundraising the Women's Society has been doing.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, reporting on the family's health, discussing the intense rains and changes in weather, updating them on the bounty of the family garden, describing a visiting minister doing evangelical work, giving an update on her own health and Esther's development, describing improvements in Steed's behavior now that he has adjusted to having the baby around and his own development.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, reporting on the family's health, discussing the intense rains and changes in weather, updating them on the bounty of the family garden, describing a visiting minister doing evangelical work, giving an update on her own health and Esther's development, describing improvements in Steed's behavior now that he has adjusted to having the baby around and his own development.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter from Havana on their way back to the States, describing the changes to life with two children, sharing about Esther's well being and development, discussing the recent rains, and expressing the family's joy at their visit.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter from Havana on their way back to the States, describing the changes to life with two children, sharing about Esther's well being and development, discussing the recent rains, and expressing the family's joy at their visit.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, confirming that they received their letter from El Paso and wishing her mother a speedy recovery, sharing the current political situation including the fighting in Nicaro and that there are a good deal of soldiers in Mayari causing them to close the clinic until the elections are over, mentioning that the Agricultural school has been continuing classes and they have had decent attendance at Sunday School despite the conflict, giving an update on the children and her pregnancy, and discussing the weather.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, confirming that they received their letter from El Paso and wishing her mother a speedy recovery, sharing the current political situation including the fighting in Nicaro and that there are a good deal of soldiers in Mayari causing them to close the clinic until the elections are over, mentioning that the Agricultural school has been continuing classes and they have had decent attendance at Sunday School despite the conflict, giving an update on the children and her pregnancy, and discussing the weather.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for letting her know how the rest of their trip went, asking if they could pass along her thanks to Esther (sister) for the book on tropical medicine, describing Esther Louise and Steed's well being and development, mentioning a visit to the Milk family to celebrate their daughter Ann's second birthday, sharing some of the movies she and Morrell have seen recently (The Bigamist and The Rose Tattoo), and reporting on how their garden is faring.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for letting her know how the rest of their trip went, asking if they could pass along her thanks to Esther (sister) for the book on tropical medicine, describing Esther Louise and Steed's well being and development, mentioning a visit to the Milk family to celebrate their daughter Ann's second birthday, sharing some of the movies she and Morrell have seen recently (The Bigamist and The Rose Tattoo), and reporting on how their garden is faring.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, telling them about her work at the clinic and as the Secretary of Spiritual Life for the Women's Society, describing plans for summer Bible Schools, outlining the plans for a party in honor of the President of the Women's Society who is also pregnant, informing them of Morrell's travels to Havana and the on to Jacksonville, and providing updates on Steed's adventures in the rain and garden.

A letter from Lois to her parents, Donald and Elsie, telling them about her work at the clinic and as the Secretary of Spiritual Life for the Women's Society, describing plans for summer Bible Schools, outlining the plans for a party in honor of the President of the Women's Society who is also pregnant, informing them of Morrell's travels to Havana and the on to Jacksonville, and providing updates on Steed's adventures in the rain and garden.

A letter from Lois to her mother, Elsie, wishing her a happy Mother's Day, mentioning how busy they have been with the church, discussing the nice weather and the success of the family garden, thanking her for sending along some flower seeds which Lois plans to plant them in a seed box, sharing that the clinic is as busy as ever, discussing how she'd like to get a dress made based on the patterns Elsie sent, sharing her thoughts on some recent trends in dress styles, and giving an update on the children.

A letter from Lois to her mother, Elsie, wishing her a happy Mother's Day, mentioning how busy they have been with the church, discussing the nice weather and the success of the family garden, thanking her for sending along some flower seeds which Lois plans to plant them in a seed box, sharing that the clinic is as busy as ever, discussing how she'd like to get a dress made based on the patterns Elsie sent, sharing her thoughts on some recent trends in dress styles, and giving an update on the children.

A letter from Lois to her family praising her mother for her typing skill, giving an update on Esther, describing the weather and the challenges the dampness has brought, giving an update on the family garden, describing how Steed has been doing and what activities he is up to, mentioning that the family has been invited to the Milk family home for Christmas dinner, insisting that the family is safe despite what may be heard about revolutionary activity in the area, and sharing her thoughts on the current political climate in Cuba.

A letter from Lois to her family praising her mother for her typing skill, giving an update on Esther, describing the weather and the challenges the dampness has brought, giving an update on the family garden, describing how Steed has been doing and what activities he is up to, mentioning that the family has been invited to the Milk family home for Christmas dinner, insisting that the family is safe despite what may be heard about revolutionary activity in the area, and sharing her thoughts on the current political climate in Cuba.

A scrapbook of photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, and decorations documenting the lives of Rev. Morrell Robinson, his wife, Lois, and their children, Morrell "Steed" Jr., Esther, and George, from their time at First Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, to their time as missionaries in Mayari, Cuba, and through their time in the Tampa Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida.

A scrapbook of photographs, newspaper clippings, programs, and decorations documenting the lives of Rev. Morrell Robinson, his wife, Lois, and their children, Morrell "Steed" Jr., Esther, and George, from their time at First Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, to their time as missionaries in Mayari, Cuba, and through their time in the Tampa Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida.

A letter from Morrell to Lois' father, Donald, wishing him a quick recovery from a carbuncle, thanking him for sending along some photographs, giving a short update on the family's social life, mentioning that one of his golf clubs was broken on the trip over to Cuba from the States, mentioning the continued political tensions and the actions of the police in response to revolutionary activities in the area, describing a nice picnic that he and Lois attended, discussing the process of attempting to get a chest of drawers made to order since there was no second-hand options, and

A letter from Morrell to Lois' father, Donald, wishing him a quick recovery from a carbuncle, thanking him for sending along some photographs, giving a short update on the family's social life, mentioning that one of his golf clubs was broken on the trip over to Cuba from the States, mentioning the continued political tensions and the actions of the police in response to revolutionary activities in the area, describing a nice picnic that he and Lois attended, discussing the process of attempting to get a chest of drawers made to order since there was no second-hand options, and

A letter from Morrell to Lois' parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter, asking how the Sunday service went where they were asked to talk about their trip to Cuba, discussing a trip he took to Santiago and the typewriter they got there, describing how a group of soldiers were stopping and searching all cars in the wake of two assassinations of important government officials, expressing his hope that there might be a spiritual and moral revolution amongst the Cuban people so that armed revolution might be averted, sharing his thoughts on the corruption and intimidation

A letter from Morrell to Lois' parents, Donald and Elsie, thanking them for their letter, asking how the Sunday service went where they were asked to talk about their trip to Cuba, discussing a trip he took to Santiago and the typewriter they got there, describing how a group of soldiers were stopping and searching all cars in the wake of two assassinations of important government officials, expressing his hope that there might be a spiritual and moral revolution amongst the Cuban people so that armed revolution might be averted, sharing his thoughts on the corruption and intimidation

A letter from Morrell to Lois' mother, Elsie, thanking her for her letters, sharing the results of the family's physical exams, describing the work Lois has been doing to make the house more comfortable for the family, discussing the sending of money for Bibles to be used in their mission work in the mountains, updating her on the progress of selling Bibles in Mayari, discussing additional tracts which he has been sharing to further their mission work, giving an update on the family and their garden, and reporting the great success of their Sunday school and other planned church

A letter from Morrell to Lois' mother, Elsie, thanking her for her letters, sharing the results of the family's physical exams, describing the work Lois has been doing to make the house more comfortable for the family, discussing the sending of money for Bibles to be used in their mission work in the mountains, updating her on the progress of selling Bibles in Mayari, discussing additional tracts which he has been sharing to further their mission work, giving an update on the family and their garden, and reporting the great success of their Sunday school and other planned church

An engraving of the gardens and palace of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli outisde of Rome.

An engraving of the gardens and palace of the Villa d'Este in Tivoli outisde of Rome.

The lower third of Falda's plan shows the Belvedere Court designed in 1505 by Donato Bramante for Pope Julius II (1503-1513) to link the palace with a fifteenth-century villa on the grounds. The small courtyard (no. 9 on the plan) at the lower right housed the incomparable collection of ancient sculpture begun by Pope Julius which included such works as the Laocoon.

The lower third of Falda's plan shows the Belvedere Court designed in 1505 by Donato Bramante for Pope Julius II (1503-1513) to link the palace with a fifteenth-century villa on the grounds. The small courtyard (no. 9 on the plan) at the lower right housed the incomparable collection of ancient sculpture begun by Pope Julius which included such works as the Laocoon.

A view of the inner courtyard in a home in Damascus, showing a fountain and lush garden.

A view of the inner courtyard in a home in Damascus, showing a fountain and lush garden.

This sermon examines the cruxificition of Jesus Christ, describing the manner in which he died, the betrayal of the apostle Judas, and Jesus's persistent love of humanity despite their actions.

This sermon examines the cruxificition of Jesus Christ, describing the manner in which he died, the betrayal of the apostle Judas, and Jesus's persistent love of humanity despite their actions.

An engraving depicting the Villa Borghesia and its surrounding gardgens

An engraving depicting the Villa Borghesia and its surrounding gardgens

An engraving depicting the gardens and villa of the Pamphilli family, located near the Porta San Pancrazio in Rome.

An engraving depicting the gardens and villa of the Pamphilli family, located near the Porta San Pancrazio in Rome.