through the Court of
the Alberca, or Great Fishpool; crossing which we proceeded to the
Tower of Comares, so called from the name of the Arabian architect. It
is of massive strength and lofty height, domineering over the rest
of the edifice, and overhanging the steep hill-side, which descends
abruptly to the banks of the Darro. A Moorish archway admitted us into
a vast and lofty hall, which occupies the interior of the tower, and
was the grand audience chamber of the Moslem monarchs, thence
called the Hall of Ambassadors. It still bears the traces of past
magnificence. The walls are richly stuccoed and decorated with
arabesques; the vaulted ceiling of cedar-wood, almost lost in
obscurity, from its height, still gleams with rich gilding, and the
brilliant tints of the Arabian pencil. On three sides of the saloon
are deep windows cut through the immense thickness of the walls, the
balconies of which look down upon the verdant valley of the Darro, the
streets and convents of the Albaycin, and command a prospect of the
distant Vega.

"I might go on to describe minutely the other delightful apartments of
this side of the palace; the Tocador, or toilet of the queen, an
open belvidere, on the summit of a tower, where the Moorish sultanas
enjoyed the pure breezes from the mountain, and the prospect of
the surrounding paradise; the secluded little patio, or garden of
Lindaraxa, with its alabaster fountain, its thickets of roses and
myrtles, of citrons and oranges; the cool halls and grottoes of
the baths, where the glare and heat of day are tempered into a soft
mysterious light, and a pervading freshness.

"While the city below pants with the noontide heat, and the parched
vega trembles to the eye, the delicate airs from the Sierra Nevada,
play through these lofty halls, bringing with them the sweetness of
the surrounding gardens. Every thing invites to that indolent repose,
the bliss of southern climes; and while the half-shut eye looks out
from shaded balconies upon the glittering landscape, the ear is lulled
by the rustling of groves, and the murmur of running streams." Here we
must end.

The Sketches bear the very perfection of romance in their titles. Yes,
expectant reader, think of the Alhambra by Moonlight--A Ramble
among the Hills--Legend of the Arabian Astrologer--The Tower of Las
Infantas--Legends of the three beautiful Princesses--The Pilgrim of
Love--The Rose of the Alhambra,--the two discreet Statues, &c. &c.