206 THE BEE, OR Feb. 9, 



dants of that great prince, the fubordinate Moorifh 

 chiefs in Spain, gradually aflumed an independent au- 

 thority, and erefted each for himfelf a fmall kingdom, 

 his right to which none of the neighbouring princes 

 had any authority to controvert. Thus was laid the 

 foundation of the kingdoms of Valencia, Murcia, Gra-. 

 nada, and many others, which, under the dominion of 

 a fet of wife and civilized princes, abounded in men, in 

 money, and in induftry, fo as to become a kind of uni- 

 verfal garden, a terreftrial paradife, in which all thofe 

 arts that can minifter to the delight of a wealthy and lus^ 

 iirious people, were carried to a very high degree of 

 perfedtion. 



Among thofe independent Hates, the kingdom of 

 Granada became in time tlie moil confpicuous. Her 

 princes were diftinguiftied by their wealth, liberality, 

 courtefy, refinement of manners, and military prowefs. 

 Her people, in poffeffion of every enjoyment that induf- 

 try, when allied with freedom, and foftened by a tafte 

 for literature and the fine arts, could infpire, enjoyed 

 for many ages a degree of happinefs, that few nations ever 

 could boaft of — and knew alike how to enjoy the bleffings 

 of peace, and to defend their rights in the flruggles of 

 war. They adored their princes, and were beloved in 

 their turn. 7hey ftrengthened his throne, and he pro- 

 tefted them from infult. 



If love can find an entrance into the hearts of the 

 moll favage people, and can tend to fweetcn the lot of 

 thofe who gro;m under the rod of oppreffion, it muft 

 have had 3n infinitely more powerful, though more 

 gentle influence on the minds of this people, who lived 

 fo much at their eafe — And whenever love aflumes a 

 fovereign power, there the finer arts, and all the gentle 

 contrivances that tend to foothe the heart, and cherifli 

 the beneficent afFe£lions, will be adopted. In thefe cir- 

 cumftances, the court of the prince became the feat of 



pleafure The fplendor of his throne dazxled the eyes 



of all beholders j and among a people of lively fancy, 



