the palace which the Moslem emperor once occupied,
are monuments of architecture so remarkable and so beautiful, that no
description of mine can fairly represent the impression which they made
upon me. They are surrounded and protected by the Fort, an enclosure
half a mile square, whose massive wall is itself a wonder. In the days
when these structures were built, labor was cheap, for the monarch had
only to impress and to feed his laborers. But artistic genius is always
rare. The Mohammedan conquest and sovereignty of the past produced and
encouraged a flowering out of art, comparable to that of the days of
cathedral-building in England, and of the time of Pericles when
sculpture and architecture so flourished in Greece. In all the world
there is nothing more elaborate or beautiful than the perforated marble
of these Oriental screens, and the intricate carving of these Oriental
pillars. The Alhambra in Spain has its superiors in India, both for
splendor of color and for beauty of pattern. The arabesques of these
Oriental mosques exhibit powers of invention of the highest order. It
has been well said that their architects "designed like Titans, and
finished like jewelers." Both the throne of the Mogul Emperor Akbar and
his tomb in Agra are proofs that even the grain of truth in
Mohammedanism can awaken intelligence and enthusiasm in those who
receive it, and that, in the conflict with idol systems, it has power to
conquer the world.

An account of our visit to Delhi may well complete my summary of
Mohammedan influences in India. Delhi was the capital of India long
before Akbar reigned and the lofty tower of the Kutab Minar was built.
But Hindu influence has combined with Mohammedan in leading the British
to restore Delhi to its former position as the center of governmental
authority. Tradition has handed down a prediction that making Delhi its
capital marked the end of each power that asserted itself. Hence there
have been many Delhis, as there have been many ancient Romes, and this
present Delhi must be succeeded by a new Delhi which British authority
and resources will build. The new Delhi will be the ninth, as the
present Delhi is the eighth, of the long series. Ruins of the earlier
Delhis are about it on every side. Now, at last, a great tract of land
has been appropriated for the new seat of government which will rise
from the dust. Temporary buildings have been erected. The permanent ones
will soon follow. We may