with jubilee, and seemed to have reached the utmost bounds of desire. That man was Christopher Columbus."

66

Good," said Edward; "this is excellent discerning, is it not sir? The pompous project of discovering another world!' How I should like to have seen him after that world was discovered! But I conclude he died, or he would have had the wit to alter that passage."

"I cannot inform you; but I think it very probable."

They were now approaching so closely to Grenada, that it was with little effort they resigned one subject of interest for another. The situation of Grenada eclipses that of almost every other city. Ranges of castles, towers, and palaces, extend to almost a league in circumference, rising in loftiness, while the city lies beneath in all its unequalled beauty. This was a sight excelling all previous expectation, and on which the unsated eye long gazed, and yet had new discoveries to make every moment. With how many swelling recollections did they enter its walls! The intervening centuries seemed annihilated, and, to the mind's eye, past scenes were acted over again. Isabella, her train of chivalrous knights, her silken pavilion, and victorious army peopled the streets; while on the distant plain, they fancied they could see the Moorish cavalry, and exiled monarch, taking a

last look of his fair domains, and faltering out his parting benediction, "God is great!"

It was with these excited feelings that they entered Grenada, and occupied an hotel which gave them a splendid view of the Alhambra. Hither they hastened the next morning. They entered the ancient palace of the Moorish kings, by what was called the gate of judgment: upon it is a key, sculptured on the marble, surmounted by a hand. They passed the remains of seven gates, before reaching the inner court, where Charles V. had the bad taste to project the erection of a palace, which yet remained unfinished. Close to this palace stands the Alhambra, the most perfect monument of Moorish splendour that exists. Passing through an oblong court, with a colonnade at each end, they arrived at the court of lions.

"Formerly," said the guide, "this was paved with marble: " it is now converted into a garden. It has a colonnade of one hundred and forty white pillars; and in the centre, as you see, is the celebrated fountain, supported by fourteen lions."

"Here, probably," said Mr. Delville, " during the falling fortunes of the Moorish kings, they retired, to meditate upon their altered destiny; and it was here, perhaps, that the undaunted Muza gave, in vain, those warlike counsels to Bobadil, which he was unable to follow, and which lost him his true and tried friend. Upon the alabaster

R

242

HALL OF THE ABENCERRAGES.

bowl, which the lions supported, are these concluding words: The purity of the alabaster and of the water may vie with each other. If thou wouldst distinguish the water, look narrowly into the bowl; for both might be liquid, or both solid, The water seems to envy the beauty of the basin, where it lies; and the basin is jealous of the crystal water. Beautiful is the stream that issues from my bosom, thrown high into the air by the profuse hand of Mahomed. His generosity excels the strength of the lion.""

From the court of lions they wandered into several halls, all magnificent, resembling each other, and all remarkable for the beauty of the walls and roofs. The fatal hall of the Abencerrages fixed their attention, from the history of treachery, and carnage attached to it. In the year 1491, when Abdali was king, two great families, the Gomels and the Legris, conspired the ruin of the Abencerrages, the greatest of the Moorish families.

To effect this, they invented a story, which touched the honour of the king, and connected it with Albin Hamet, the chief of the family. The king, in his fury, resolved to extirpate their race; and they were sent for to the Alhambra, one by one, and the moment they entered, they were seized, and beheaded beside an alabaster vase, which now stands in the middle of the hall, and which is said to have overflowed with

CATHEDRAL OF GRENADA.

243

their blood. Thirty-five of the family fell victims ; but the rest being warned by a page who escaped, they raised the city in their cause, penetrated the palace, and slew many of the Gomels and the Legris, who there defended the king, who finally took refuge in a neighbouring mosque. The conquest of Grenada speedily followed this event.

"A house divided against itself must fall," said Mrs. Delville; while the young people gathered round the alabaster vase, and dwelt on the recent tale they heard.

It was not one day that could satisfy their curiosity about the Alhambra. Morning after morning they devoted themselves to it, and listened eagerly to all the wild tales and traditions that their guide was equally ready to tell. He was flattered by the profound attention with which the young English people listened to him.

From these pleasures, that realized all their romantic dreams, they were drawn by a visit to the cathedral. They were shown the sarcophagi of Ferdinand and Isabella, in white marble. They chose that their remains should repose in the city they had been so proud to acquire.

"The conquerors and the conquered," said Mr. Delville, 66 are now at rest. This is a reflection which might well make many conquerors tremble at their victories."

When they were visiting, a few days afterwards,

244 DUKE OF WELlington's estates.

the estates of the duke of Wellington, about two leagues from Grenada, Ellen remembered this ob

servation.

"The duke of Wellington, papa," she said, "had nothing to reproach himself in his conquests: they will wear well."

66

They will. We were happy to have a countryman of so much ability, to execute the generous purposes of a generous people; and he was happy in a country which has seldom made war for its own aggrandizement. The annals of the Spanish campaign will always be a proud page in English history."

The walks and the views about Grenada were beautiful. Their favourite walk was by the side of the banks of the Douro, which flows through a deep and finely-wooded ravine; and while all the beauty of the valley was around them, they had at intervals beautiful glimpses of the fair and distant city. Their introductions gave them access to the high, and their wanderings made them acquainted with the humbler classes. The mornings were often devoted to visits, gladly received; and they were sure to find the Spanish ladies, dressed for company, seated on a sofa, their fans in their hands, their basket at their feet, and their embroidery before them. There was great quickness and liveliness in their conversation; which, if not always intelligent, was amusing. They