Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885 edition. Excerpt: ... ascent is very steep, and is carried upwards between two vast walls, strengthened at intervals with towers, and once deemed impregnable. The top commands a fine view in front of the town and sea-line; and, behind, of the whole circle of country, up to the foot of the mountains. These do not approach the town so closely, as had been my first impression, but admit a fertile and extensive plain on all sides, still keeping off every northern blast, and sheltering completely all that lies within their circumference. One valley alone appeared to pierce this dark and frowning wall, and paint it with a streak of green, admitting, at the same time, a river which flows through the western extremity of the town. This was now but a scanty stream, which flowed sluggishly along, and seemed little worthy of being spanned by two bridges, which extend far beyond its present borders. But, after a storm, the torpid river often changes into a rapid and foaming torrent, such as mountains only can send forth almost in a moment, as if their very fountains were broken up. The river lay in our way as we took road to Granada on the evening of June 1st. Soon after crossing it the Diligence began a toilsome ascent, so that it was only by four o'clock p.m. on the following morning that we just gained the topmost crest of the Sierra. Throughout the early part of the day we continued to follow a rough and jilting road amid the mountains, which now closed in deep defiles, and then opened out to show villages and detached huts in the valleys far below, with an isolated castle or tower perhaps crossing the opposite ravine. The town of Alhama lies far away to the right, amid the same line of Sierras which form the barrier of the ancient kingdom of Granada towards the sea....
