MOORISH REMNANTS.
V.
THE SULTANA'S PERFUMER-IN-CHIEF.
Of all the luxurious appointments of the Moorish houses, none weremore prominent than the baths. And you must not think that meansa bath just big enough to get into, like those in our houses. AtSeville and Granada, and wherever the Moors lived and built, you maysee remains of the vast constructions which served them for baths,all of white marble, and situated in the midst of scented shrubs andsweet and brilliant flowers.
In their own hotter country, their baths received a still greaterdevelopment. There was once a sultana, Moorka-Hama, who had a fancyto have her baths always filled with rose-water. One day, when shecame to bathe, she found the air perfumed to a most unusual degree;and on her causing an inquiry into it, they found that the heat ofthe sun had expressed the essential oil, which was floating on thesurface. The process thus suggested by accident, was immediatelyimitated by art; and by it is produced the delicious scent which isnow an article of commerce, and which we call attar of roses.
Patrañas; or, Spanish Stories, Legendary and Traditional Page 48
