viii PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION 



this superb and perfectly harmonised palace of 

 art, but these impressions are not available to 

 the ordinary tourist. 



What is wanted, as I imagine, is a concise 

 history and description of the Alhambra, illustrated 

 with a series of pictures constituting a tangible 

 remembrancer of the delights of this Granadian 

 paradise 



" Where glory rests 'tween laurels, 

 A torch to give thee light ! " 



The Alhambra may be likened to an exquisite 

 opera which can only be appreciated to the full 

 when one is under the spell of its magic influence. 

 But as the witchery of an inspired score can be 

 recalled by the sound of an air whistled in the 

 street, so it is my hope the pale ghost of this 

 Moorish fairy-land may live again in the 

 memories of travellers through the medium of 

 this pictorial epitome. 



I desire, however, to submit an explanation 

 or excuse for the unusual form in which this 

 volume is issued. At the commencement of my 

 work I experienced no little difficulty in collecting 

 the requisite illustrations, for most of the obtain- 

 able photographs were ill-chosen and but care- 

 lessly developed, and I was compelled to press my 

 own cameras into the service of my scheme. But 

 when my designs became known, I was inundated 

 with offers of pictures of every description, until 



