[31] In this legend most of the facts respecting the Arab inroads into Spain are on the authority of Arabian writers; who had the most accurate means of information. Those relative to the Spaniards are chiefly from old Spanish chronicles. It is to be remarked that the Arab accounts have most the air of verity, and the events, as they relate them, are in the ordinary course of common life. The Spanish accounts, on the contrary, are full of the marvellous; for there were no greater romancers than the monkish chroniclers. [32] Conde, p. i. c. 10. [33] Cronica de España, de Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1. [34] The house shown as the ancient residence of Aben Habuz is called _La Casa del Gallo_, or the house of the weathercock; so named, says Pedraza, in his History of Granada, from a bronze figure of an Arab horseman, armed with lance and buckler, which once surmounted it, and which varied with every wind. On this warlike weathercock was inscribed, in Arabic characters,— “Dice el sabio Aben Habuz Que asi se defiende el Andaluz.” “In this way, says Aben Habuz the wise, The Andalusian his foe defies.” The Casa del Gallo, even until within twenty years, possessed two great halls beautifully decorated with Morisco reliefs. It then caught fire, and was so damaged as to require to be nearly rebuilt. It is now a manufactory of coarse canvas, and has nothing of the Moorish character remaining. It commands a beautiful view of the city and the Vega. [35] Pedraza, Hist. Granada, p. iii. c. 2. Bleda, Cronica, lib. ii. c. 10. [36] Conde, Hist. de las Arabes en España, c. 12. [37] The stratagem of the Jews of Toledo is recorded briefly by Bishop Lucas de Tuy, in his chronicle, but is related at large in the chronicle of the Moor Rasis. [38] According to Arabian legends, this table was a mirror revealing all great events; insomuch that by looking on it the possessor might behold battles and sieges and feats of chivalry, and all actions worthy of renown; and might thus ascertain the truth of all historic transactions. It was a mirror of history, therefore, and had very probably aided King Solomon in acquiring that prodigious knowledge and wisdom for which he was renowned. [39] Abulcasim. Perdita de España, lib. i. c. 13. [40] Cron. Gen. de España, por Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1. [41] Bleda, Cronica, lib. ii. c. 11. [42] Conde, p. i. c. 13. Ambrosio de Morales.—N.B. In the Chronicle of Spain, composed by order of Alonzo the Wise, this anecdote is given as having happened at the siege of Seville. [43] Marmol. Descrip. de Africa, t. i. l. 2. [44] Abulcasim, Perdida de España, l. i. c. 13. [45] Espinosa. Antq. y Grand. de Seville, lib. ii c. 3. [46] Conde, p. i. c. 14. [47] Conde, p. i. Cronica del moro Rasis. Cron. Gen. España, por Alonzo el Sabio, p. iii. c. 1. [48] Conde, p. i. c. 15. [49] Conde, p. i. c. 15. [50] Conde, p. i. c. 16. [51] Conde, p. i. c. 17.