THE ALHAMBRA 43 



fountain, and the lattices that filled in its twin- 

 windows. But it is still adorned by a beautiful 

 mosaic dado (known as sofeisfa) reaching to the 

 wooden cornice. Numerous are the Kufic and 

 African inscriptions introduced into the decora- 

 tion, the motto of Al Ahmar being frequently 

 repeated. Opening on to the hall are nine 

 alcoves, each with twin-windows, which have 

 replaced balconies. The alcove opposite the 

 entrance was the site of the Sultan's throne, as 

 the long poetical inscriptions testify. What 

 gorgeous assemblies must have filled this saloon 

 in bygone years and what tumultuous scenes and 

 fateful decisions must have been here enacted ! 



THE PATIO DE LOS LEONES AND 

 ADJACENT APARTMENTS. 



The Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions) 

 occupies, with the chambers opening on to it, 

 the south-eastern quarter of the Palace. " There 

 is no part of the edifice that gives us a more 

 complete idea of its original beauty and magni- 

 ficence than this," says Washington Irving, 

 " for none has suffered so little from the ravages 

 of time. In the centre stands the fountain famous 

 in song and story. The alabaster basins still 

 shed their diamond drops ; and the twelve lions, 

 which support them, cast forth their crystal 

 streams as in the days of Boabdil. The archi- 



