THE ALHAMBRA 53 



architecture, though built over a Moorish arcade. 

 . . . This fanciful suite of rooms terminated 

 in an open gallery with balustrades, which ran 

 at right angles with a side of the garden . . . 

 I found that it was an apartment fitted up at 

 the time when Philip V. and the beautiful Eliza- 

 beth of Parma were expected at the Alhambra, 

 and was destined for the Queen and the ladies of 

 her train. One of the loftiest chambers had been 

 her sleeping-room, and a narrow staircase leading 

 from it ... opened on to the delightful belve- 

 dere, originally a mirador of the Moorish sultanas, 

 which still retains the name of the tocador. I 

 determined at once to take up my quarters in 

 this apartment. My determination occasioned 

 great surprise, but I was not diverted from my 

 humour." 



This exquisite apartment is adorned by four 

 sixteenth-century paintings, representing the 

 legend of Phaeton. On the artesonado ceiling, 

 painted and gilded, may be read the invocation : 

 " The help and protection of God and a glorious 

 victory for our Lord, Abu-1-Hejaj, Amir of the 

 Muslims ! ' Round the boudoir runs a gallery 

 of nine arches on Arabic pillars, painted and 

 decorated with the figures of Faith, Hope, and 

 Charity, Justice, Strength, and Temperance, 

 Jupiter, Neptune, Plenty, and the Vestals' Fire. 

 These paintings were the work of two Italians, 



