The Argosy — page 59: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

46 The Cruise of the Reserve Squadron. The sun was high, and the avenue, that not many hours ago had looked gloomy and threatening, was now bright and sparkling, and echoed with the song of happy birds. ‘The picturesque loungers of last night, hovering about trees and walls for reasons foul or fair, had betaken themselves to other haunts. The long, straight, square palace of Charles VY. was even less romantic now than in the glow of sunset. We entered the narrow way leading to the modest portal, the door opened silently, and again we passed through, one by one. Where we had had moonlight, all was now broad sunshine. The dark shadows had disappeared, and with them the mysterious depths suggesting unlimited space. At the end of the small corridor, the visitors’ book was the only sign and record to remind one of a commonplace world. ‘There were the small arches and slender columns leading into the Court of the Bath. The exquisite moulding that last night had looked like fine gossamer work was certainly more earthly this morning, though at all times and in all lights it is beauti- ful and refined. ‘The long rows of myrtles were green and refreshing, and the orange trees pencilled their graceful branches and tender leaves against the side walls that held them. The pool looked so clear, one longed for a plunge, and almost envied the gold fish darting about at will. At the further end, the Tower of Comares was so vividly reflected, one almost started at the appearance of another tower existing below the water. Here surely we had at last found the habitation of the fairy folk who owned all this enchanted ground! We passed into the Hall of Ambassadors—a splendid room 37 feet square and 75 feet high. Opposite the entrance was once placed the throne of the Sultan, and here amidst regal pomp and splendour he gave audience. ‘There are three arched windows on each side, nine in all, deeply recessed, owing to the thickness of the masonry. ‘The walls are decorated with flowers and leaves, Cufic inscriptions and texts from the Koran, all wonderfully restored, and resembling as nearly as possible their ancient beauty. The ceiling is richly gilded, and coloured in white, blue, and delicate crimson. In some of these ceilings light was admitted through small, stained-glass windows cun- ningly placed in the roof, which chequered walls and pavement with kaleidoscopic tints that must have entranced the Moorish mind and imagination. What are our nineteenth century ideas of luxury and grandeur, ostentatious glitter and display of wealth, compared with the oriental atmosphere and refinement that distinguished the men of that age? The ceiling is of alerce or cedar wood, inlaid work of many colours, with devices of stars and crowns; all, as far as possible, imitating the original. The old roof fell in the 16th century, through an explosion of gunpowder in the neighbourhood, and brought down in its ruin a wonderful arch composed of mother-of-pearl, jasper and porphyry. Imagine it fora moment. Nothing more chaste and lovely can be seen than this hall: a dream building, worthy of gracing a world higher, CORNIELOIOOKS Conn