Page:Sixteen years of an artist's life in Morocco, Spain and the Canary Islands.djvu/51

40 the longest, being received into a corresponding locket on the lintel, whilst the other falls into a cavity of like fashion in the threshold. The material of these doors was composed of very handsome wood, and they were richly carved with intersecting geometrical figures. The floor of the room into which the folding doors opened was strewn with mats and rich Rabat carpets, while several coloured leather slippers were scattered about. Heaps of embroidered satin, velvet, and leather cushions, filled the recesses at each end of the room, which were separated from the body of the apartment by the usual indented Moorish arches. I was informed that these were the family bed-rooms. Desirous of displaying to me the riches of her toilet, she ten led me to a richly-painted and gilded box of cedar-wood, and proudly exhibited to me her various robes and garments, which were all highly scented with the perfume of the wood which they were kept in contact. The richest ornament in the way of carving, gilding, and embroidery was introduced in every place where it could be exhibited with due regard to effect and display. The whole of the residence of this lady was tastefully decorated with carved geometrical figures, interlacing each other in all directions, and similar to those which we see