Star.
London, England, 1830-07-24 00:00:00

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

THE REGENCY OF ALGIERS.

From PATIANTI.P Narrative, by Captain BLAQUIItIiE.
The recent important occurrence which has taken place on the
African shores of the Mediterranean, which places the Regency of
Algiers, as it is termed, in the possession of the most military—
and, judging from past history, the most enterprising—Power in
Europe, renders the translation of PANANTI*S narrative, by Cap-
tain BLAQUIERE, who so lately Lad the literary conduct of the
STAR, most interesting to those who watch the results in that de-
partment of passing history. Captain BLAQUIERE has enriched
the text with many notes, conveying valuable original information.
To-day, we must content ourselves with the subjoined extract of a
curious statistical account of Algiers, as a specimen,—recommend-
ing the whole work to our readers' attention :
The Regency of Algiers includes above six hundred miles of
sea coast between the river Melooia, which separates it from Mo-
rocco and the Zaine, its eastern boundary ; while its extreme
breadth, from the capital to the country of Dates, does not exceed
one hundred and eighty. It is bounded on the west by the king-
doms of Fes, the chain of the Atlas and Biludelgerid on the south,
Tunis on the east, and the Mediterranean sea on the north. The
Dey's absolute domination extends four days journey from the
capital. Beyond that, as far as Biludelgerid, is inhabited by
wandering tribes who merely pay tribute when the army takes its
annual tour through the country. The Regency is divided into
four provinces, Mascara, Algiers, Titterie, and Constantin*. La.
be: is a mountainous district which pays tribute; and Biscara is
another poor tributary country in the kingdom of Zub. Between
Algiers and Bugiaa to the south, are the mountains of Couco,
inhabited by the Aragui, a ferocious people, whom the Deys have
never reduced into complete subjection. Towards Fla is the little
desert of Angad, much frequented by beasts of prey and ostriches.
Previous to reaching the lesser Atlas, there is a large tract of coun-
try called Tell ; from thence commences the country of Dates.
The most considerable river in this part of Africa is the Melooia
the ancient Malva, a pan of which is navigable for small vessels.
Besides this there arc several minor streams west of the capital, of
which the Sheliffand Hamiman are the most conspicuous; while
its eastern side is profusely watered by the Yisser, Roberack.Yowah,
Seibouse, and Zaine. A place, called the Seventy Sources, rising in
the Atlas towards the desert of Angad, is spoken of as one of the
greatest curiosities to be found on the whole territory of Algiers. The
country abounds in springs; and besides the range of the great Atlas
which runs through the Algerine states from east to west, there are se-
veral othermountains, such as Gibhel Auress, Mons Aurasia of the an-
dents, themountains of Trara, forming its western confines towards
Tremecen, and Max Arran, the Jugura, Gibbel Deers, &c. The prb:-
clpal citiesareAlgiers, containing aboutone hundred and twenty thou-
sand souls; Constantina, with a population of one hundred thousand;
Tremisan, once the capital of a great kingdom, but now reduced
to ineignificance ; Bona, which has an excellent bay and i
castle; Oran, a large and populous town, with a tolerably goodt7.
stead, and within a few miles east of which there is a fine bay, capable
of receiving the largest fleets. Tenes, at one time the capital of a
large and beautiful kingdom ; Boujetah, which is very strong,
and possesses a much larger port than Algiers. though not
quite so secure; blersalquiver, a place of some consequence;
and Shershell, where there is also good anchorage ; Anew, cele-
brated for its extensive salt pits, the finest in the world ; El.cal-
lab, renowned for its great market and manufactures of shawls
and carpets ; Bleeds, a populous town in the interior; and also
Gigeri on the east coast ; the territory of which is extremely mown.
tainous, and the inhabitants considered the most savage and fero-
cious race in Barbary. All those Christians who happen to be
wrecked on this coast, are invariably made slaves of. There are
various other large towns and populous districts in this fine country,
many of which have scarcely been visited by any European traveller.