The Alhambra . rns, from great reser-voirs which undermine it,cut in the living rock bythe Moors to receive thewater brought by conduitsfrom the Darro, for the supplyof the fortress. Here, also,is a well of immense depth,furnishing the purest andcoldest of water, — anothermonument of the delicatetaste of the ]Moors, who wereindefatigable in their exer- ^ -^^- - ^ tions to obtain that element ^ in its crystal purity. In front of this esplanade is the splendid pile commencedby Charles \., and intended, it is said, to eclipse the residenceof the Moorish kings. Much of the Oriental edifice in-tend
The Alhambra . rns, from great reser-voirs which undermine it,cut in the living rock bythe Moors to receive thewater brought by conduitsfrom the Darro, for the supplyof the fortress. Here, also,is a well of immense depth,furnishing the purest andcoldest of water, — anothermonument of the delicatetaste of the ]Moors, who wereindefatigable in their exer- ^ -^^- - ^ tions to obtain that element ^ in its crystal purity. In front of this esplanade is the splendid pile commencedby Charles \., and intended, it is said, to eclipse the residenceof the Moorish kings. Much of the Oriental edifice in-tended for the winter season was demolished to make wayfor this massive pile. The grand entrance was blocked up :so that the present entrance to the Moorish palace is througha simple and almost humble portal in a corner. With all themassive grandeur and architectural merit of the palace ofCharles \., we regarded it as an arrogant intruder, and passingby it with a feeling almost of scorn, rang at the 62 THE ALIIAMBKA >«^ While wailinLi; for admittance, our self-imposed cicerone,Mateo Ximenes, informed us that the royal palace was intrustedto the care of a worthy old maiden dame called Dona Antonia- Molina, but who, accordingto Spanish custom, went bythe more neighbourly appel-lation of Tia Antonia (AuntAntonia), who maintainedthe Moorish halls and gardens in order and showedthem to strangers. Whilewe were talking, the doorwas opened by a plumplittle black-eyed Andalu-sian damsel, whom Mateoaddressed as Dolores, butwho from her bright looksand cheerful dispositionevidently merited a merriername. Mateo informedme in a whisper that shewas the niece of Tia An-tonia, and I found she .__^,-. ^. - .. _. ^^^s the good fairy who was tc conduct us throughthe enchanted palace. Under her guidance we crossedthe threshold, and were at once transported, as if bymagic wand, into other times and an oriental realm, andwere treading the scenes of Arabian story. Nothing couldbe in
Size: 1319px × 1895px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear190
