The Gardens at Aranjuez 
spring lasts but a short time, fading away 
quickly into a dry and parching summer. 
We wind out leisurely through a country of 
undulating plains, with scarcely a tree or a 
dwelling in sight. Were it not for the bril¬ 
liant fields ot gorgeous poppies, that seem to 
crowd out the impoverished wheat, the 
mind might well grow melancholy at so 
dreary an outlook. Yet, even while we are 
oppressed by these rambling thoughts, or 
wondering whether there is aught better in 
store for us at our journey’s end, suddenly 
we are conscious of a change, and we awaken 
from our reverie. 
A welcome relief to the faithless travellers, 
there come to us as H eaven-sent accompani¬ 
ments to the glorious sky and the balmy air, 
the song of rejoicing birds, and the breath of 
fragrant woods. We have passed suddenly 
from a barren parched land into a realm of 
verdure and flowers. Trees have appeared 
as if by magic, and we hear the cooling, 
refreshing sound of running waters. We have 
entered Aranjuez. Well may it be called an 
“oasis of flowers.” They commence at the 
very station, not arranged niggardly as in 
typical railway beds, but grouped in solid 
masses, brilliant of color, poppies and roses 
huddled close together, as if fearing that by 
some mischance one of their number might 
be blown out on the desolate plain to die 
alone. 
Unique Aranjuez ! a town existing appar¬ 
ently as an humble companion to its gardens. 
There is little at first to suggest a village, 
yet we know the houses must be somewhere 
near, for the idlers have gathered about the 
station to greet the arriving train. The 
usual beggar is here, and one or two tumble- 
down hacks; but there is little need to engage 
a carriage, for already the shade of the 
glorious grove tells us that we are in the midst 
of the very gardens themselves. A vista 
through the trees reveals the distant palace, 
and we feel, at once, though in the very 
heart of Spain, that foreign influences have ' 
been at work to transform Aranjuez. Even 
the trees above our heads are not the charac- 
A GENERAL PLAN OF ARANJUEZ AND ITS GARDENS 
5 20 
