FTJTTEHPORE SIKRI. 
161 
climate particularly fine ; in all respects it must have 
been a fitting residence for this great and glorious 
monarch, whose name is revered by the natives no 
less than that of Alexander the Great. 
This sumptuous range of palaces, occupied solely 
by the royal household, was, I believe, unrivalled in 
extent and magnificence throughout the world. It is 
now a heap of deserted mins, although founded not 
more than two hundred and seventy years since. It 
is utterly subverted, and all its noblest buildings are 
prostrate, except one or two sacred shrines of Moslem 
saints, and the state entrance, which are still kept in 
repair. Of the other principal edifices there is in 
most cases just so much left standing as to render 
their original purposes apparent, and to evince the 
extraordinary grandeur of their design and the rich- 
ness of their decorations ; but Futtehpore Sikri, like 
most other places of great celebrity in Hindostan, 
has been so favourite a theme of modern travellers, 
that a verbal description of it would only weary my 
readers ; for, those who take a delight in the history 
of the oriental world are doubtless already familiar 
with the details of this famous place ; while, if I 
attempted to describe them, those who are indifferent 
to the subject would lay aside my volume with that 
elusive and irretrievable declaration of distaste po- 
litely and learnedly styled an oscitation, which goes 
more bitterly to the heart of a presumptuous author 
than the most poignant attacks of open censure. To 
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