204 THE TOWER OF MINAR, AT DELHI, 



the entire present of the whole construction, 364 feet; more than two 

 thirds of the higher pyramid. This immense mass terminates in a 

 colossal statue in brass of a female, intending to represent the Faith. 

 This is the famous Giralda, or weather-cock, one of the great wonders of 

 Spain, and the subject of many a poetic allusion. " It is certainly a 

 little singular,'' says a modern visitor (A Year in Spain, by a young 

 American), " that any good Catholic should have thought of setting the 

 emblem of his faith for a weather-cock, to turn about with every change 

 of wind ; though the different destinies which have ruled Seville, and the 

 widely different religions as ages with which this same tower has been 

 associated, all point to the possibility of variation. As I walked up the 

 winding ascent in the interior of the tower, it was evident to me that two 

 cavaliers, accoutred with spear, shield and helmet, and mounted upon 

 their war horses, might easily ride side by side to the top, as is said to 

 have been done on more than one occasion ; and as for the Knight of 

 the Mirrors, though he told Don Quixote many a lie, he was at least 

 within bounds of probability, when he recounted his adventures with the 

 giantess Giralda." The view from this immense elevation is a very fine 

 one ; the interior of the church is 420 feet by 260, with a central nave 

 rising to an immense height ; but the finest sight of all, is the matchless 

 collection of pictures which adorn its walls ; these are by Murilla and 

 Valesquez. The city of Seville is not a handsome one, and, although it 

 contains some beautiful buildings, will not bear out the vain Spanish 

 proverb, 



" Quien no ha visto Sevilla 

 No ha visto maravella," 



which may be rendered thus, 



" He who hath not Seville seen, 



Hath not seen strange things, I ween." 



TOWER OF MINAR DELHI. (7) 



According to tradition, this city was founded 300 years B.C., by 

 Delu ; it formerly stood on the left bank of the Jamna, and is said to 

 have covered a space of 20 square miles. The emperor Shah Jehan 

 built a new city in 1631, on the right bank of the Jamna; this is the 

 modern Delhi. It is about 7 miles in circumference, and surrounded by 

 walls constructed of large blocks of granite, having several towers and 

 bastions. The city has seven gates of freestone, and contains the remains 



