he
fine stucco-work invented at Damascus, consisting of large plates,
cast in moulds, and artfully joined, so as to have the appearance of
having been laboriously sculptured by the hand into light relievos
and fanciful arabesques, intermingled with texts of the Koran,
and poetical inscriptions in Arabian and Cufic character. These
decorations of the walls and cupolas are richly gilded, and the
interstices pencilled with lapis-lazuli, and other brilliant and
enduring colours. On each side of the hall are recesses for ottomans
and couches. Above the inner porch is a balcony, which communicated
with the women's apartments. The latticed 'jalousies' still remain,
from whence the dark-eyed beauties of the haram might gaze unseen upon
the entertainments of the hall below.

"It is impossible to contemplate this once favourite abode of Oriental
manners without feeling the early associations of Arabian romance,
and almost expecting to see the white arm of some mysterious princess
beckoning from the balcony, or some dark eye sparkling through the
lattice. The abode of beauty is here, as if it had been inhabited but
yesterday; but where are the Zoraydas and Lindaraxas?

"On the opposite side of the Court of Lions, is the Hall of the
Abencerrages; so called from the gallant cavaliers of that illustrious
line who were here perfidiously massacred. There are some who doubt
the whole truth of this story; but our humble attendant Mateo pointed
out the very wicket of the portal through which they are said to have
been introduced, one by one, and the white marble fountain in the
centre of the hall where they were beheaded. He showed us also certain
broad ruddy stains in the pavement, traces of their blood, which,
according to popular belief, can never be effaced. Finding we listened
to him with easy faith, he added, that there was often heard at night,
in the Court of Lions, a low, confused sound, resembling the murmuring
of a multitude; with now and then a faint tinkling, like the distant
clank of chains. These noises are probably produced by the bubbling
currents and tinkling falls of water, conducted under the pavement,
through pipes and channels, to supply the fountains; but, according to
the legend of the son of the Alhambra, they are made by the spirits
of the murdered Abencerrages, who nightly haunt the scene of their
suffering, and invoke the vengeance of Heaven on their destroyer.

"From the Court of Lions we retraced our steps