Page:History of Art in Persia.djvu/339

 The Hypostyle Hall of Xerxes. 323 with the central pavilion, the annexes belonging thereto, e.^. the three sides and the passages interposing between these and the thn>ne» it is found that the area covered by the block is no less than 7500 square metres. There is no Gothic cathedral, ex- cepting the Duomo at Mihm, whose walls embrace so enormous a space. When the pile in its pristine state rose in the middle of the platform, not only was the eye of the beholder astonished at its stupendous dimensions and massive grandeur, but it must have been charmed no less by its elegance and the peculiar character of its fairness. And this, we hope, will be the impression which the study of our woodcuts will leave; notably the perspective view, which represents it as it would have appeared to one standing in the middle of the level directly in front of the great stairs, midway between the Propylsa and the corner of the Hall of a Hundred Columns (Plate V.).* No better site could have been selected for showing the structure under its most favourable aspect ; nor one whence the unity of plan could be more easily grasped, and the variety of detail it yields in the elevation be conveyed with greater emphasis. From this point of vantage, the porticoes make up an exquisite setting for the imposing mass of the royal pavilion ; they do not unduly obtrude or mask the building from the spectator— they prepare his mind for the glorious view which is to follow. The severe simplicity of the basement, built of enormous blocks of stone, is in happy contrast with the mouldings of the bases and the richness of the airy pillars, striated all over with delicate flutes, as well as the mingling of curved and strsught lines and the amazing vigour of contour of the capitals, and, as if this was not enough, with the deep salience of the entab- lature wherein metal and enamel add point and sparkle to the facade. Spread on the floor, stiffened wall-like between the sup- ports, suspended to the architrave, the fairest tapestries enriched the picture with variety of forms, brilliancy of hues, relieved by the grey tone of the stone colonnades. To complete this harmony were gardens full of trees with every shade of green, through the openings of which, as in a grove, appeared here a cluster of pillars, there a lon<^ vista of porticoes (Plate I ^), Besides these permanent elements of decoration there was the movement and stir of the multitude, which on gala days would throng the colonnades clad in
 * The view i$ taken ftom the north side.