The next morning the other rifle-pit, captured after a feeble resistance, was levelled and filled in with earth.
PLATE XXXVIII.
PEINCE WOEONZOFF'S PALACE.
Near Yalta, on the South Coast of the Crimea.
The Castle of Alupka, the world-renowned residence of Prince Woronzofl', is situated at the base of the wild, precipitous, and barren rocks which form this part of the south-coast range of the Crimea, and whose savage grandeur presents the most striking contrast with the exquisite beauty and luxuriant vegetation of the grounds which surround the palace, and descend in a brilliant mass of flowers and foliage to the very water's edge. These grounds, the result of twenty-five years' personal superintendence and care, exhibit one of the highest triumphs of landscape gardening, and vie with, if they do not surpass, the happiest creations of our English artists. Exotic plants of the rarest species and of the most gorgeous hues, selected with admirable taste and discrimination from the flora of Southern Europe, of the East, and even of America, clothe in beauty the gardens and terraces which slope down to the sea, climb the rugged sides of the rock, and peep out of unexpected nooks in its volcanic fissures.
THE EAST.
Trees of the most varying foliage embosom the chateau, and throw out with a mass of verdure its picturesque outUnes. Thick hedges of evergreens enliven the plantations, and contrast with the dark, lustreless leaves of the laurel; here is a delicate-leaved acacia, there a large-flowering magnolia; the lotus-tree, the weeping ash, the silver protea, the tree of life, the shrubby jasmine, are accumulated with a profusion which would exhaust the vocabulary of a forester; and lower down, the weeping willow sweeps the surface of the water with its gracefully pendulous branches. The palace, which has been designated the Alhambra of the Crimea, is thus described by Oliphant, in his " Russian Shores of the Black Sea ": —
"We descended abruptly to the Castle of Alupka, the residence of Prince Woronzoff, passing through extensive vineyards which belong to this property.
" The numerous domes and pinnacles, which peep out over the trees as we approach, indicate a palace oriental in its style and magnitude; while the glittering cupola and tapering minarets of the elegant mosque, which almost adjoins it, lead us to imagine that the noble owner of all this magnificence is Hadjy-Selim-Ghiri-Khan, at least. A few moments more, however, and we find, to our perplexity, that we are driving under the lofty walls and frowning battlements of a feudal chieftain's fortress; and as we pass through the solid gateways into the spacious court-yard, and look up at the massive square tower and belfry to correspond, we find it difficult to decide whether the building before us bears most resemblance to the stronghold of the Black Douglas or the palace of the Great Mogul.
" Notwithstanding the mixture of such incongruous styles of architecture, the general effect of this splendid chateau is charming. The Prince has spent an almost fabulous amount of silver roubles upon the house and grounds, and has succeeded in rearing an edifice worthy of the scenery amid which it stands. The taste displayed is unexceptionable. Placed almost upon the borders of Europe and Asia, the eastern character so strongly developed throughout the structure is most appropriate; while the dash of feudalism, as suggestive of the former uncivilised condition of the West, is a graceful allusion to the present -state of that country in which it is situated."
It is only necessary to add to this fehcitous little sketch, that the ships in the foreground of the drawing are a three-decker, bearing the English Admiral's flag, and a steam despatch gun-boat.
PLATE XXXIX.
THE MONASTERY OF SAINT GEORGE AND CAPE FIOLENTE,
Looking West. Cape Fiolente, called by the Tartars "Ai Biirum," or "the Holy Promontory," is believed by antiquaries to be identical with the Parthenium, or Virgin's Promontory of the ancients. Nearly on the spot now occupied by the
Monastery the temple of Diana, of which Iphigenia was the priestess, is supposed to have stood. The Monastery consists of a small green-domed church, a large refectory, and some moderate-sized cells, and is ornamented by terraces and gardens constructed by the monks on the face of the cliff. This romantic spot is thus graphically described by a recent traveller in the Crimea: —