Litchfield enquirer., 1830-09-02
ALGIERs.

has undertaken against Africa. To satis- | fy the many anxious inquiries which have been made relative to the position of AL ! giers, and to give our readers some distinc idea of its Notifications, the following &C., count is given.
 The territory of Algers consists of the ancient Mauritania, and Tingitania, in length above six hundred miles, and in breadth about ono hundred and eighty bounded by the kingdom of Fez on the west-the ridges of Atlas and Biledulgerid on the south-Tunis on the east-and the Mediterranean on the north. s
 The river Malva, now called the Me- looia, which marks the western boundary, is the most considerable stream in this part of Africa, and is partly navigable for small vessels; five smaller rivers intersect the country. ......m s- a- yL .-a.. --.
 Besides the metropolis of Algiers, which contains apopula ton ofabout one hundred thousand souls, there are several other con- siderable cities. The population of Con taEtina is estimated at no less than one hundred thousand. Gran is large and populous town, with tolerable good road side, within a few miles east of which is a fine bay, capable of receiving the largest fleets. TremiSan and Tenez, once the capitals of great and fourisIiing kingdoms, still exist, though in much decay. Bonjei- ah, strong fortress, possesses larger port than Algers. Mersalquivir is place, too, of some consequence, and likewise Sher- shell. The salt pits of Arzew are said to be the most extensive in the world. El- callah is renowned for its great market, and manufactories ofshawls and carpets. Tho wool of the neighborhood is soft and fexi- ble, and we'll fitted for the manufacture of such goods. Bleeda is a popnlous town in the interior, and 'Gigeri, on the sea coast, are also places ofsome commercial import ance. There are various other large towns in the populous districts, many of which have rarely been visited by European trav- ellers. 1t is needless to add, that these towns are but remnants of prosperity, for, notwithstanding the numerous splendid ci- ties, containing all that is beautiful in Ro- man art, which once adorned Mauritania, the rage of its various invaders has left but 1 little to gratify, modern curiosity. -.s g.t [, The climate of this country is described as soft and salubrious the seasons follow each other in the gentlest succession; the heats of the earlier autumn are excessive, but generally tempered by nor,herly winds. Few diseases arc peculiar to the Algerine territory it has not been visited by the plague for many years, though in the mean I time raging with much violence in the neighboring island ofMalla. 2 The mineral riches are supposed to be great, but iron and lead are the principal metals which have yet been discovcred.- Gold is said to exist among the mountains of Atlas other minerals and mineral springs are numerous, and great quantities of thc most beautiful corals are found on the coast. Itis, however, in the fertility oi the soil that the chief riches of the coun- try exists a happy combination of warmth and humidity gives great vigor and mag nifccnce to the vegetable productions wheat and Indian corn are extremely a. bundant, and the vines grow to 9 prodi- gious height. The, olive tree is indigo nous all fruits common to the south ol Europe are of the most exquisite flavor and the oaks, in many places, grow 10 an immense size. The hills are covered with thyme and rosemary and in many places there are extensive tracts thickly planted with roses, for the distillation of the famous essence so we'll known in Europe. The climate has at all times been highly favora- ble 10 the culture of sugar cane, which grows with great vigor, and is thought by many to be indigenous, and to have sup piled the plants with which the cultivation was first established in the West Indics.- The horses of Barbary have long beer celebrated for their beauty and symmetry Beasts of prey are numerous, and the des olated state of the country favors thel propagation. .. .r..-.s... ..,.... ...
 The Algerines, to proverb, are bar barous people; but, though unleitered ana unlearned, they are in state of civiliza' ton far above tho negroes of the interior of the continent or the Indians of Ameri ca. They are, in fact, rather rude thar savage race. Some of their manufacture are beautiful and worthy of imitation.- They dress with costly stufls in a bette style and taste than either the Greeks Q Turks, and they have that grand 'distinc ton of civilized society, an organized DO lice, and laws, and a judicalure. Tb' French have, therefore, not gone to tak' possession of wild country, merely oI account of the soil, but 10 conquer Stat' of no inconsiderable resources-and thu world is interested in their success.
 The city of Algiers is built on the de