274 



GARDEN CRAFT IN EUROPE 



several streams have been diverted from their course to provide an ample 

 supply for the fountains of the garden. 



The cypress avenue leads to a small forecourt in front of the house, 

 which like all Oriental buildings is very simple. A low Moorish portico 

 looks out on the delicious cool greenery of an oblong enclosed garden 

 (illus., p. 277). A canal, paved with marble, runs through the whole length 

 of the enclosure and is bordered on both sides by numberless fountain 

 jets which, when playing, form a sparkling arcade of water. The whole 

 garden abounds in sweet smelling flowers, roses, carnations, liHes, jessamine 



and lavender. Every- 

 thing blooms in luxuri- 

 ant disorder and the 

 air is heavy with the 

 scent of orange blos- 

 som. 



The flower court 

 terminates in a por- 

 ticoed gallery like the 

 Patio of the Myrtles 

 at the Alhambra. At 

 the further end is an 

 open building con- 

 taining a few living 

 rooms, the walls of 

 which preserve traces 

 of sixteenth century 

 frescoes. Beyond is a balcony, affording wide ""spreading views of the Vega 

 and the purple hills beyond, while the Moorish part of Granada lies at 

 our feet. A short flight of steps leads to an open portico entirely covered 

 with a glorious wealth of roses which forms the end of a water garden 

 where myriads of goldfish swim in the cool green pools ; along one side is a 

 group of enormous cypresses, believed to be four centuries old. 



Another broad flight of steps leads to the lower of the terraces that 

 ascend the hillside up to the quaint two-storied whitewashed Mirador, or 

 summer house crowning the garden, beyond which are some Moorish tanks 

 and a knoll still called La Silla del Moro, The Moor's Chair. Each terrace 



CYPRESS AVENUE AT THE GENERALIFE. 



