THE SPLENDOUR OF ACRE. 211

land side it was surrounded by a double wall, with
towers and battlements, and a broad and deep ditch,
which prevented access to its ramparts, and towards
the sea by a fortress at the entrance of the harbour,
by the castle of the Templars, and by a stronghold
known as ‘The King’s Tower ;’ and on the whole,
the fortifications were such that no foe, not even such
as Bibars Bendocdar, could have calculated on find-
ing the place an easy prey.

Nor could the aspect of the city seem otherwise
than strange and picturesque to such of the armed
pilgrims as landed with the saint-king beneath its
white walls, washed by the blue waters of the Medi-
terranean. The interior was chiefly occupied by the
houses of traders and artisans; but, between the two
ramparts that defended the city on the east, stood the
castles and palaces of the King of Cyprus, the
Prince of Antioch, the representatives of France and
Germany, and other men of high rank. The houses
were built of square stones, all rising to an equal
height; and most of them were surrounded with a
terrace; and inside they were luxurious and resplen-
dent, and lighted with windows of painted glass,
which modified the glare of the oriental sun. Even
the greatest kings in Europe could boast of nothing
to compare with the pictures and marbles and rich
furniture which the mansions of the magnates of
Acre presented to the eyes of the weary and despond-
ing Crusaders.

And Acre was not without busy life and striking
ceremonies to give variety to the scene. The port
was crowded with ships from Europe and Asia; the