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other persons of holy and recluse life。 But though he possessed the
courage common to generous spirits； the bent of his genius was more
for peace than war； and though repeatedly obliged by circumstances
to take up arms； he was generally unfortunate。
Among other ill…starred enterprises； he undertook a great
campaign； in conjunction with the king of Morocco； against the kings
of Castile and Portugal； but was defeated in the memorable battle of
Salado； which had nearly proved a death…blow to the Moslem power in
Spain。
Yusef obtained a long truce after this defeat； and now his character
shone forth in its true lustre。 He had an excellent memory； and had
stored his mind with science and erudition； his taste was altogether
elegant and refined； and he was accounted the best poet of his time。
Devoting himself to the instruction of his people and the
improvement of their morals and manners； he established schools in all
the villages； with simple and uniform systems of education； he obliged
every hamlet of more than twelve houses to have a mosque； and purified
the ceremonies of religion； and the festivals and popular
amusements； from various abuses and indecorums which had crept into
them。 He attended vigilantly to the police of the city； establishing
nocturnal guards and patrols； and superintending all municipal
concerns。 His attention was also directed towards finishing the
great architectural works commenced by his predecessors； and
erecting others on his own plans。 The Alhambra； which had been founded
by the good Alhamar； was now completed。 Yusef constructed the
beautiful Gate of Justice； forming the grand entrance to the fortress；
which he finished in 1348。 He likewise adorned many of the courts
and halls of the palace； as may be seen by the inscriptions on the
walls； in which his name repeatedly occurs。 He built also the noble
Alcazar or citadel of Malaga； now unfortunately a mere mass of
crumbling ruins； but which most probably exhibited in its interior；
similar elegance and magnificence with the Alhambra。
The genius of a sovereign stamps a character upon his time。 The
nobles of Granada； imitating the elegant and graceful taste of
Yusef； soon filled the city of Granada with magnificent palaces； the
halls of which were paved with mosaic； the walls and ceilings
wrought in fretwork； and delicately gilded and painted with azure；
vermilion； and other brilliant colors； or minutely inlaid with cedar
and other precious woods； specimens of which have survived； in all
their lustre； the lapse of several centuries。 Many of the houses had
fountains； which threw up jets of water to refresh and cool the air。
They had lofty towers also； of wood or stone； curiously carved and
ornamented； and covered with plates of metal that glittered in the
sun。 Such was the refined and delicate taste in architecture that
prevailed among this elegant people； insomuch that to use the
beautiful simile of an Arabian writer； 〃Granada； in the days of Yusef；
was as a silver vase filled with emeralds and jacinths。〃
One anecdote will be sufficient to show the magnanimity of this
generous prince。 The long truce which had succeeded the battle of
Salado was at an end； and every effort of Yusef to renew it was in
vain。 His deadly foe； Alfonzo XI of Castile； took the field with great
force； and laid siege to Gibraltar。 Yusef reluctantly took up arms；
and sent troops to the relief of the place。 In the midst of his
anxiety； he received tidings that his dreaded foe had suddenly
fallen a victim to the plague。 Instead of manifesting exultation on
the occasion； Yusef called to mind the great qualities of the
deceased； and was touched with a noble sorrow。 〃Alas！〃 cried he；
〃the world has lost one of its most excellent princes； a sovereign who
knew how to honor merit； whether in friend or foe！〃
The Spanish chroniclers themselves bear witness to this magnanimity。
According to their accounts； the Moorish cavaliers partook of the
sentiment of their king； and put on mourning for the death of Alfonzo。
Even those of Gibraltar； who had been so closely invested； when they
knew that the hostile monarch lay dead in his camp； determined among
themselves that no hostile movement should be made against the
Christians。 The day on which the camp was broken up； and the army
departed bearing the corpse of Alfonzo； the Moors issued in multitudes
from Gibraltar； and stood mute and melancholy； watching the mournful
pageant。 The same reverence for the deceased was observed by all the
Moorish commanders on the frontiers； who suffered the funeral train to
pass in safety； bearing the corpse of the Christian sovereign from
Gibraltar to Seville。*
* Y los moros que estaban en la villa y Castillo de Gibraltar
despues que sopieron que el Rey Don Alonzo era muerto； ordenaron
entresi que ninguno non fuesse osado de fazer ningun movimiento contra
los Christianos； ni mover pelear contra ellos； estovieron todos quedos
y dezian entre ellos qui aquel dia muriera un noble rey y Gran
principe del mundo。
＇And the Moors that were in the city and Castle of Gibraltar；
after they knew that King Don Alonzo was dead； ordered among
themselves that no one should dare to make any move against the
Christians； nor to start fighting against them； and they all
remained quiet and told each other that on that day had died a noble
king and a great prince of the world。＇
Yusef did not long survive the enemy he had so generously
deplored。 In the year 1354； as he was one day praying in the royal
mosque of the Alhambra； a maniac rushed suddenly from behind and
plunged a dagger in his side。 The cries of the king brought his guards
and courtiers to his assistance。 They found him weltering in his
blood。 He made some signs as if to speak； but his words were
unintelligible。 They bore him senseless to the royal apartments； where
he expired almost immediately。 The murderer was cut to pieces； and his
limbs burnt in public to gratify the fury of the populace。
The body of the king was interred in a superb sepulchre of white
marble； a long epitaph； in letters of gold upon an azure ground；
recorded his virtues。 〃Here lies a king and martyr； of an
illustrious line； gentle； learned； and virtuous； renowned for the
graces of his person and his manners； whose clemency； piety and
benevolence； were extolled throughout the kingdom of Granada。 He was a
great prince； an illustrious captain； a sharp sword of the Moslems；
a valiant standard…bearer among the most potent monarchs；〃 &c。
The mosque still exists which once resounded with the dying cries of
Yusef； but the monument which recorded his virtues has long since
disappeared。 His name； however； remains inscribed among the delicate
and graceful ornaments of the Alhambra； and will be perpetuated in
connection with this renowned pile； which it was his pride and delight
to beautify。
The Mysterious Chambers。
AS I WAS rambling one day about the Moo