led confusion
of buildings, lay in the foreground. The Darro and the Xenil, joined
together, were seen winding their silvery way through the verdant
fields, where broad patches of yellow grain added a thrifty aspect to
the view. Quaint little hamlets clustered together; mulberry and olive
groves, a tall hay-stack here and there, and groups of domestic cattle,
enlivened the whole. It was an exceptional picture for Spain, and would
convey the idea of a well-cultivated and thriving agricultural country;
but it was natural irrigation, not the hand of industrious labor, which
was here so agreeably represented.

One never wearied in wandering about the courts and luxurious
apartments; luxurious, not because of their furniture, for there was
none; but because of what they suggested, for the possibilities they
presented, and the exquisite architectural workmanship displayed in each
detail, and everywhere. It was like enchantment verified. Nothing seemed
too extravagant to the imagination thus stimulated. If we had suddenly
come upon a throng of the dark-eyed favorites of the harem diaphanously
clad, on their way to the marble baths, with Nubian slaves perfuming
their way by burning incense, it would not have seemed to us at all
strange.

Alhambra signifies "Red Castle," and the vermilion-tinted structure,
with its outlying towers, was thus appropriately named. In the days of
its glory it was half palace, half fortress; indeed, a city within
itself, capable of accommodating quite an army, and containing within
its walls an immense cistern as a water supply, armories, store-houses,
foundries, and every appliance of a large military cantonment. A
considerable portion of the far-reaching walls are still extant, as well
as the outlying towers; and all are remarkable for the excellent
engineering skill displayed in their construction. Under good
generalship, and properly manned, the place must have been impregnable
to attack with such arms as were in use at the period of its completion.
For a long time after the expulsion of the Moors, the Castilian monarchs
made it their royal residence, and held high and regal court within its
splendid walls; but they finally deserted it, and left desolate those
unequaled halls and courts. The place was next infested by a lawless
community of contrabandists and banditti, who made it, for a long
period, their headquarters, whence to sally forth and lay the
neighboring plains under contribution, on