Page:The Burton Holmes lectures; (IA burtonholmeslect04holm).pdf/61

 idler or the convalescent may find the truth of that Italian saying,—Che dolce far niente. It is indeed sweet to do nothing at Mustapha Supérieur. To establish oneself amid the fair surroundings of that suburb is death to energy; ambition to see sights and visit mosques and palaces is crushed definitely, and there ensues a spell of lotus-eating, which will be recalled as among the most delightful features of our journey. To lovers of social gaieties who bring the proper introductions, the villas of English and American winter residents open their hospitable doors. The delights of five o'clocks, high teas, and dancing parties are enhanced a thousandfold by an ideal invironment.

A HOTEL TERRACE

The villas are usually Moorish in design, though occupied by foreigners. The Moors themselves do not now build dainty palaces as in the olden days. It has remained for European taste and wealth to create here on the shore of