Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-05-06
LITERARY.


A work has recently been issued from the pres,
of Messrs. Cummings Hillarl & Co. of Boston en-.
titled "Skeiehes Of .Aigiers," by William Shalsr
United States Consul at Algiers. From the ex.
tracts we have seen Of the work, we think it mus,
be found exceedingly interesting, as it develope:
the Political Economy, Manners, Customs, and
habits Of a people who have heretofore been
comparatively unknown to US. We, of America,
have formed a false idea ofthe Algerine character
and as our intercourse with that nation has been
somewhat restricted, and confined almost exclusive
y to unwelcome and unsought intrchanges with
| their Corsairs, from our infancy up TO manhood, we
have been taught to associate the atrocities Of the
pirate and and the villainies of the highwayman
with the name ofa Algerine.
But from Mr.. Shaler's book, it will be found that
the Algerines are not the very fends incarnatc, the
fabulous tales Of mariners and travellers have re-
presented, and that, on the CO ntrary, there are
among them, as with us, different grades of society
and classes Of people who would not disgrace the
refined circles ofEuropean fashion and elegance
Mr. Shaler informs us that the government OF Al
siers is comprised ola Sovereign Chief, called the
Dey of Algeirs, together with a Council denomi-
mated the Divan, composed of an indefinite number
ofancient military commanders. 1.-THE Divan elects
the Dey, and deliberates upon such affairs as he
chooses to lay before them. Such is the theory of
he Government, but the Divan has dwindlcd into
Il mere phantom. The Dey assumes and exercises
Tho rio hts pf eoyoroiy, autbor,tu The olocticn ~
the Dey is usually the result of the intrigue, of a
faction among the Janissaries, the military, who are
foreigners Of the lowest order Of people brought
from the Levant, to recruit the army, TO whom is re-
served the exclusive right of filling all Offices Of
trust, honor, or profit. The natives are entirely
excluded from Office, even tho sons of THE Dey, and
other officers, i born IN Algisrs, are excluded;
neither have they any voice 10 an election. Among
such electors il will not be thought surprising that,
a Dey is murdered to make room for some more
fortunate adyen.hrer; his immediate friends and
adherenis perish. or are plun1ered and exiled, and
H." PUZZLE business or tranquility is not interrupt
ed beyond twenty four hours" These revolutions
succeed each other with rapidly, and it is mere
ib' u d ICY ues d udtuTdl uedtU. AnV
Turk who has been enrolled in the corp, of Jan
issaries is eligible to the o6ce of Dey. Speaking
Of the city of government, Mr.. Shaler says: "There
is probably no city in the world, where there is a
more %vigilant police, where fewer cognizable crimes
are committed, or wher~ there is better sec urity
for person and property than in Algiers."
The fortune ola living Turk, though Inc is the
legitimate holder Of Office, is very insecure; but
that ola native, who is ineligible to any important
office, and consequently passive in political revolu-
tion', is as we'll protected in Algiers as in any other
country. From the operation of these causes, Al
giers may be re sarded as one of the richest cities
in metallic wealth in the world. The widow Of
Achmet Bashaw lately died, leaving a fortune OF
'haler says: "Their principal characteristics o f
oeauty are elegant forms, large dark eyes, long eye
lashes and fine teeth, but the beauty most priced is
hat of excessive corpulency." The Moorish wo-
men are often married at twelve, and are completely
IN the wane of bea uty attwenty-ive, when they are
often grandmothers. The inhabitants of Algiers
MY be regarded at this day as inconstant and trea.
chcrous, 'but they are far from ring the ferocious
barbarians which the term .4lgerine seems by COM
mon consent to imply Mr.. Shaler has found
them, i'll the common relations Of life, civil, cour-
eous and humane.
Mr.. Shaler during his residence at Algiers, has
never discovered any thing like bigotry; and al
though the Algerines are all Mahomedans, and
fulfil the duties ordained by the doctrine they pro-
fesa, with much scrupulousness, they evince no dis
position to prosecute those who differ with them,
but quietly suffer foreigners to worship the Almigh.
ly, in that way they think best, and in no instance
have attempted to oppose the believers in Chris
tianity.
Mr.. Shalers book, as far as we are capable OF
Judging, from the extracts we have seen, we be-
lieve to be a work Of much interest, and as such,
would it to those who wish for infor-
nation, touching a country and a people, whose
history, as we'll as whose habits and customs, have
her etoiore been almost unknown 10 us.
"And when they talk ofhim they shake their heads
And whisper one another in the ear;
And he that speaks doth grippe the hearers wrist,
Whilst he that hears, makes fearful action
With wrinkled brow, with mods, with rolling eyes,"
KING JOHN.
Gen. JAMES MITCHELL VARNuM.-Immediate.
ly after Mr.. Representative Pearce delivered hi.
speech ia opposition to Mr.. M'Dunie's Resolution: