File:The Alhambra (1908) (14591562968).jpg

Identifier: yalhambra00irviuoft (find matches)
Title: The Alhambra
Year: 1908 (1900s)
Authors: Irving, Washington, 1783-1859 Hitchcock, Alfred M. (Alfred Marshall), 1868-1941
Subjects: Alhambra (Granada, Spain)
Publisher: London New York : Macmillan
Contributing Library: Scott - York University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: Ontario Council of University Libraries and Member Libraries

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Sanctran Sanctontm. reclined on cushions, soothed to voluptuous repose by thefragrance of the perfumed air and the notes of soft music fromthe gallery. Beyond this hall are the interior chambers, stillmore retired ; the sajictwn sanctorum of female privacy ; for herethe beauties of the Harem indulged in the luxury of the baths.A soft mysterious light reigns through the place, admittedthrough small apertures (himbreras) in the vaulted ceihng.The traces of ancient elegance are still to be seen ; and the VISITORS TO THE ALHAMBRA 201 alabaster baths in which the sultanas once reclined. Theprevailing obscurity and silence have made these vaults afavourite resort of bats, who nestle during the day in the darknooks and corners, and on being disturbed, flit mysteriouslyabout the twilight chambers, heightening, in an indescribabledegree, their air of desertion and decay. In this cool and elegant, though dilapidated retreat, whichhad the freshness and seclusion of a grotto, I passed the sultry
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The Small Court. hours of the day as summ.er advanced, emerging towards sunset;and bathing, or rather swimming, at night in the great reservoirof the main court. In this way I was enabled in a measure tocounteract the relaxing and enervating influence of the climate.My dream of absolute sovereignty, however, came at lengthU). an end. I was roused one morning by the report of fire-arms, which reverberated among the towers as if the castle hadbeen taken by surprise. On sallying forth, I found an old 202 THE ALHAMBRA cavalier with a number of domestics in possession of the Hallof Ambassadors. He was an ancient count who had come upfrom his palace in Granada to pass a short time in the Alhambrafor the benefit of purer air; and who, being a veteran andinveterate sportsman, was endeavouring to get an appetite forhis breakfast by shooting at swallows from the balconies. Itwas a harmless amusement; for though, by the alertness ofhis attendants in loading his pieces, he was enabled to keep up

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