We forthwith proceed to giv e a description of some of the more noted Spani-h structures of this style, at the head of which in point of date, if not of importance, stands the mosque or Cordova.
This place is stated to hive contained no less than 600 mosques, 91111 baths, and 2,000 houses. Of these buildings the mosque to w Rich we allude was one of the most impor tant; it was commenced by Abdurrahman in the eighth century, and completed by his son and successor, 11isham, in the same century, since which period it has been frequently enlarged and enriched by subsequent kaliphs, l'he plan of the building is a rectangle or oblong. whose longest side front north to south is 620 feet, and that from east to west 410 feet, ; the whole space being enclosed by a wall with countertOrts, both of which are em battled. and surrounded by four streets, which renders it isolated from all other build ings. The wall is S feet thick, and varies in height from 35 to 60 feet. The entire space enclosed by it, is divided into two parts, the first of which, at the northern extremity, was court in which the Moslems pertinined the requisite ablutions ere entering the mosque. This quadrangle mea sured 210 feet in depth, and was surrounded by a colonnade of 72 columns enclosing three fimutains. The remaining space is occupied by the tnosque, which is divided internally into 19 naves, running from north to south, and extending in length about 400 feet, and into from east to west. Each of the naves from south to north is about 16 feet wide, and those in the cross direction somewhat less, and are separated from each other in both directions by rows of cohnuns, whose number amounted in all to s50, to which, if we add the 72 in the external colonnade, we shall have' a total of 923 columns. They were composed of jasper and the richest marbles, measuring IS inches in diameter, and on an average 15 feet in height : their capitals are of various designs, but all approaching the Corinthian or Composite in fbrm, and upon these spring the arches. There were no less than •2 entrances, the doors of which were all covered with the best Andalusian brass, The cupola was 72 cubits, or 1OS feet in height, and was surmounted by three apples, two of which were of pure gold, and the central one of silver, each m••suring three spans and a half' in circntuference. The
ceilings were of wood painted, each range forming on the exterior a stnall-roof, separated from the adjoining one by a gutter. The chief entrance that led into the Maksura or sanctuary, is said to have been formed of gold, as were also the walls of the Aliblira or chancel : the fluor of the Mak sura was of pure silver, and in it, on a throne of N, coil of aloes with nails of pure gold, was preserved, in a case of the saine metal set with pearls and rubies, the principal copy of the koran. The pulpit was formed of the most precious woods, such as ebony, sandal, brazil, citron, and wood of and occupied a period of seven years in its manufac ture. The interior of the edifice was lighted by 2S0 chan deliers of brass and silver, containing 11.000 lamps.
Cordova once possessed a palace, which, according to the accounts of ,\Iohamincdan writers, was of the greatest mag nificence ; of this, how ever, although of more recent erection than the mosque by two centuries, we have no remains : it is said to have been adorned with 4,000 pillars of marble, and to have had floors of the same material.
The Alhambra is the Most perfect and beautiful building of this style with which we are acquainted, and one of which we have more detailed information than of any other. It is situated on the northern brow of one of the steep hills of Granada. and is approached from the city through it narrow street, which lead: to the entrance, called the Gate of Judg ment, so mimed from the ancient practice of holding the courts of justice at the entrance of cities. This gate is a square tower, with an entrance under a large horse-shoe arch, which reaches half-way up the tower, and has an open hand sculptured on the key-stone, embleinatibl of the omni of the Deity. The gate is of white marble, however, has become much discoloured through age and ex posure; it is decorated above with mosaic tiling, about 3 feet 4 inches in height. beneath which is an inscription in Curie characters, the motto " There is no conqueror hut God." and beneath this again on the keystone of the arch is sculptured a key, one of the principal symbols of the follow ers of lohainnicd.