282 LETTERS FROM SPAIN. LETTER XLI. APPROACH TO THE ALHAMBRA GATE OF JUDGMENT PLAZA DE LOS ALGIBES PALACE OF CHARLES THE FIFTH COURT OF THE LIONS HALL OF THE ABENCERRAXES QUEEN S DRESSING ROOM GENERAI.IFFE. GRANADA; JAN. 1810. Perhaps few narratives are more uninteresting than those which describe visits to ancient edifices, unless the reader happen to have a predilection for the contemplation of antiquities; hut the Arabian remains in this city are so remarkable, that I hope you will not feel my descriptions tiresome. I have several times visited the Alhambra, the ancient fortress and palace of the Moorish Kings : it is situated on the top of a hill overlooking the city, and is surrounded with a wall of great height and thickness. The road to it is by a winding path through a wood of lofty elms, mixed with poplars and oleanders; and some orange and lemon trees. By the side of the road, or rather path (for it is not designed for wheel carriages), are beautiful marble fountains, from which transparent streams are constantly rushing down. The entrance is through an archway, over which is carved a key, the symbol of the Mahomedan monarchs. This gate, called the Gate of Judgment, according to Eastern forms, was the place