CROWN PRINCE'S PALACE, ATHENS 



as they bear there to-day, the name of the land 

 of their first adoption : " Portucalia." 



To be seen aright, or in other words, in its 

 entirety, this fair garden must be viewed from 

 the roof of the palace. Here the four sides are 

 spread out below in all the glory of their rich- 

 ness of verdure, and peaceful, ordered repose. 



But the golden hours slip by fast up here. 

 The lights change, Hymettus receives from 

 Helios her violet crown. Lycabet's sharp sil- 

 houette is culminated by the watchlight of 

 St. George. The immense green mass of the 

 great royal gardens in front turns to blackness, 

 while out to the east spreads the unique view of 

 Acropolis and ^Egean. 



And then comes, ah ! that indescribable love- 

 liness of the softly approaching Athenian night 

 when, under the del nacre pierced by a diamond 

 star or two, the voices of all men and living 

 things seem hushed to a reverent stillness, and 

 only the nightingale dares to lift her wail of 

 melody, for no other note could harmonize with 

 this ineffable presence, so lovely it is. 



MARY MOORE 



153 



