314 Royal Gardens of Lahore. 



their situation, in the evenings of the sultry days, (when thi* 

 aquatic couch is screened from the sun by an arcade in the 

 garden immediately above,) most perfectly fitted to an. enchant- 

 ing repose, the exquisite luxury of which may be sufficiently 

 appreciated by such as have resided in this warm climate. 

 From this reservoir and its luxurious couch, the water flows 

 in a gentle stream into a large quadrangular basin or tank, 

 which occupies nearly the whole of this garden, having in its 

 centre, a square insulated platform, or bank of earth, which con- 

 tains some flowers : and around the tank is a border of flowers 

 of eighteen or twenty feet in width, having, on the side nearest 

 to the water, a narrow walk of not more than three feet. 



The water, on leaving this tank, passes between marble slabs, 

 laid horizontally, the upper ones forming the floor of an arcade 

 twelve feet square, of which only three sides are arched. This 

 three-sided arcade, erected over tliis passage of the water into 

 the lower garden, (the walls of which rest upon this garden,) pre- 

 sents the appearance of an aquatic chamber, the water here again 

 falling in thin sheets of three faces, and the walls containing a 

 great number of recesses for lamps, whose glittering lustre 

 under the falling water, displays a magical and peculiarly 

 brilliant efl'ect, which, with the addition of five fountains in this 

 watery recess, produces an enchanting union of refreshing 

 luxuries. The water flows, in the usual character of.a stream, 

 from this extremely cool recess through this lowest or northern- 

 most garden, which is plentifully stored with large trees, among 

 which are the apple, pear, and some very fine mangoes : the 

 latter afibrding, from the luxuriance of their foliage, delightful 

 groves, whose umbrageous protection from the scorching rays 

 of the sun, renders this spot a most desirable and refreshing 

 retreat. The upper gardens are laid out in a sufficiently taste- 

 ful manner, with fruit and flower-trees ; among the latter we 

 observed the Narcissus in great abundance. The present Chief 

 of the Punjab, Runjeet Sing, has erected, in the highest garden, 

 a Tye Khanah, or cool retreat for the hot season, which has 

 somewhat disfigured it. The construction of this retreat is very 

 simple, being a house of two rooms, one below ground, the 



