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Nay； had they not been checked on the plains of Tours； all France； all
Europe； might have been overrun with the same facility as the
empires of the East； and the crescent at this day have glittered on
the fanes of Paris and London。
Repelled within the limits of the Pyrenees； the mixed hordes of Asia
and Africa； that formed this great irruption； gave up the Moslem
principle of conquest； and sought to establish in Spain a peaceful and
permanent dominion。 As conquerors； their heroism was only equalled
by their moderation； and in both； for a time； they excelled the
nations with whom they contended。 Severed from their native homes；
they loved the land given them as they supposed by Allah； and strove
to embellish it with every thing that could administer to the
happiness of man。 Laying the foundations of their power in a system of
wise and equitable laws； diligently cultivating the arts and sciences；
and promoting agriculture； manufactures； and commerce； they
gradually formed an empire unrivalled for its prosperity by any of the
empires of Christendom； and diligently drawing round them the graces
and refinements which marked the Arabian empire in the East； at the
time of its greatest civilization； they diffused the light of Oriental
knowledge； through the Western regions of benighted Europe。
The cities of Arabian Spain became the resort of Christian artisans；
to instruct themselves in the useful arts。 The universities of Toledo；
Cordova； Seville； and Granada； were sought by the pale student from
other lands to acquaint himself with the sciences of the Arabs； and
the treasured lore of antiquity； the lovers of the gay science；
resorted to Cordova and Granada； to imbibe the poetry and music of the
East； and the steel…clad warriors of the North hastened thither to
accomplish themselves in the graceful exercises and courteous usages
of chivalry。
If the Moslem monuments in Spain； if the Mosque of Cordova； the
Alcazar of Seville； and the Alhambra of Granada； still bear
inscriptions fondly boasting of the power and permanency of their
dominion； can the boast be derided as arrogant and vain？ Generation
after generation； century after century； passed away； and still they
maintained possession of the land。 A period elapsed longer than that
which has passed since England was subjugated by the Norman Conqueror；
and the descendants of Musa and Taric might as little anticipate being
driven into exile across the same straits； traversed by their
triumphant ancestors； as the descendants of Rollo and William； and
their veteran peers； may dream of being driven back to the shores of
Normandy。
With all this； however； the Moslem empire in Spain was but a
brilliant exotic； that took no permanent root in the soil it
embellished。 Severed from all their neighbors in the West； by
impassable barriers of faith and manners； and separated by seas and
deserts from their kindred of the East； the Morisco…spaniards were
an isolated people。 Their whole existence was a prolonged； though
gallant and chivalric struggle； for a foothold in a usurped land。
They were the outposts and frontiers of Islamism。 The peninsula
was the great battle…ground where the Gothic conquerors of the North
and the Moslem conquerors of the East； met and strove for mastery； and
the fiery courage of the Arab was at length subdued by the obstinate
and persevering valor of the Goth。
Never was the annihilation of a people more complete than that of
the Morisco…Spaniards。 Where are they？ Ask the shores of Barbary and
its desert places。 The exiled remnant of their once powerful empire
disappeared among the barbarians of Africa； and ceased to be a nation。
They have not even left a distinct name behind them； though for nearly
eight centuries they were a distinct people。 The home of their
adoption； and of their occupation for ages； refuses to acknowledge
them； except as invaders and usurpers。 A few broken monuments are
all that remain to bear witness to their power and dominion； as
solitary rocks； left far in the interior； bear testimony to the extent
of some vast inundation。 Such is the Alhambra。 A Moslem pile in the
midst of a Christian land； an Oriental palace amidst the Gothic
edifices of the West； an elegant memento of a brave； intelligent；
and graceful people； who conquered； ruled； flourished； and passed
away。
The Jesuits' Library。
SINCE indulging in the foregoing reverie； my curiosity has been
aroused to know something of the princes； who left behind them this
monument of Oriental taste and magnificence； and whose names still
appear among the inscriptions on its walls。 To gratify this curiosity；
I have descended from this region of fancy and fable； where every
thing is liable to take an imaginary tint； and have carried my
researches among the dusty tomes of the old Jesuits' Library； in the
University。 This once boasted repository of erudition is now a mere
shadow of its former self； having been stripped of its manuscripts and
rarest works by the French； when masters of Granada； still it contains
among many ponderous tomes of the Jesuit fathers； which the French
were careful to leave behind； several curious tracts of Spanish
literature； and above all； a number of those antiquated
parchment…bound chronicles for which I have a particular veneration。
In this old library； I have passed many delightful hours of quiet；
undisturbed； literary foraging； for the keys of the doors and
bookcases were kindly intrusted to me； and I was left alone； to
rummage at my pleasure… a rare indulgence in these sanctuaries of
learning； which too often tantalize the thirsty student with the sight
of sealed fountains of knowledge。
In the course of these visits I gleaned a variety of facts
concerning historical characters connected with the Alhambra； some
of which I here subjoin； trusting they may prove acceptable to the
reader。
ALHAMAR
Alhamar。
The Founder of the Alhambra。
THE Moors of Granada regarded the Alhambra as a miracle of art；
and had a tradition that the king who founded it dealt in magic； or at
least in alchemy； by means whereof he procured the immense sums of
gold expended in its erection。 A brief view of his reign will show the
secret of his wealth。 He is known in Arabian history as Muhamed
Ibn…l…Ahmar； but his name in general is written simply Alhamar； and
was given to him； we are told； on account of his ruddy complexion。*
* Et porque era muy rubio llamaban lo los Moros Abenalhamar； que
quiere decir bermejo。。。 et porque los Moros lo llamaban Benalhamar que
quiere decir bermejo tomo los senales bermejos； segun que los
ovieron desputes los Reyes de Granada。… BLEDA； Cronica de Alfonso XI。
＇And because his complexion was very ruddy the Moors called him
Abenalhamar； which means 〃vermilion〃。。。 and because the Moors called
him Benalhamar； which means vermilion； he took bright red for his
insignia； jus