The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-09-08
ALGIERS.


anclent Mauritania, and Tingitana, in lengt
ABOVE 0OO miles, and in breadth 1870; bou5r
ca by the kingdom of Fee on the west-tb
ridges OF Atlas and Biledulgerid on IA
souih-Tunis on the east-and Meditera
mean on the north.
Besides the metropolis of Alpiers wbic
: contains population of about I00. O0O sonl
there are several other considerable cite,
Inc population of Constantine is no less
1nah 1OO,OOO. Oran is a large and popu
! lous town, with tolerably good roadstead
within few miles east of which is a fine
1sy' capable OF receiving the largest fleets
Iremlsan and Tenez, once the capitals o
great and beautiful kingdoms, still exist
| though IN much decay. Boujeiah, STRONG
1HOItress'possesses larger port than AIgiers
Mesalqulvlr is place, too, of some conse
qnence, and likewise, Shershell. The sal
pits OF Anew are said to be the most ex.
tenslVe in the world. Elcallah is renowned
Tor Its great market, and manufactures Of
shawls and carpets. The wool of the
neighborhood is soft and flexible, and well
ntted Tor the manufacture of such goods
Bieeda is poPulous town in ti1v inferior.
and Glgeri. on the sea coast, are also places
OF some commercial Importance. There
are various other large towns in the popu-
ious districts, many Of which have rarely
been visited by European travellers. 1t is
needless to add, that these towns are but
remnants of prosperity, for, notwithstanding
the numerous splendid cities, containing ali
that WIS beautiful in Roman art, which
once adorned Mauritania, the rage of its
various invaders has LEFT but little to CRAFTY
modern curiosity.
The climate Of this country il soft and
salubrious; the seasons follow each other
IN the gentlest succession the heats of the
earlier autumn are excessive, but generally
tempered by nertherly winds. Few dis
eases are peculiar TO the Algerine territory
1t has not been visited by the plague for
many years, though in the meantime raging
with much violence ia the neighboring ISL
and of Malta.
The mineral riches are supposed to be
great, but iron and lead are the principal
metals which have yet been discovered. Gold
Is said to exist among the mountains of Atlas:
other minerals and mineral springs are nu-
meFous, and great quantities of the most
beautiful corals are found on the coast. 1t is
however, in the fertility of the soil that the
chief riches of the country exist: happy
combination of warmth and humidity gives
great igor and magnifcence to the vegsta-
Die productions wheat and Indian corn are
abundant, and the vines grow to
a prodigious height. The olive tree is
indigenous; all fruits common to the south
of Europe are of the most exquisite flavor !;
anu inc oaks, In many places, grow TO 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 favorable
to the culture of sugar cane, which grows
with great vigor, and is thought by many
to be indigenous, and to have supplied the
plant with which the cultivation was first
established in the West Indies. The
horses of Barbary have long been celebrated
for their beauty and symmetry. Beasts of
prey are numerous, and the desolated state
of the country favors their propagation.
The Algerines, to q proVerb, are bar
harous people /; but though unlettsred and
unlearned, they are in q state of civilization
far above the negroes Of the interior oc the
continent or the Indians of America. They
are in fact rather a rude than a savage race.
Some Ct their manufactures are beautiful
and worthy of imitation. They dress with
costly stuffs, in better style and taste than
either the Greeks or Turks, and they have
that grand distinction of civilized society,
an organized police, and laws, and judica-
ture. The French have, therefore not gone
to take possession Of a wild country, merely
on account Of the soil, but to conquer a
State of no inconsiderable resources-and
the world is interested in their success.
CITY OF ALGIERs.
The city of Algiers, is built on the dccliv-
ity of large hill, and the houses rise in
regular progression like the seats of an am
phitheatre. The town is surrounded by u
wall of II feet in thickness, and of 80 feet
in height on the land side, and DO feet in
height towards the sea. 1t has a citadel,
and is moreover defended by seven castles
and number ofbatteries. There are five
barracks, five ondacas, or magazines fol
provisions and foreign merchandise, sixty
mosques, twelve public baths, sixty-two
steam baths, and six bagnios for prisoners.
The public buildings are white, and, form
ing beautiful contrast to the surrounding
verdure of the country, present strongly
| Respondent appearance from the sea, par
ticularly when illuminated by the beams Of
| the sun. The roofs are fiat, and on then
in the evening the inhabitants are seated
ms we'll to enjoy the fresco, or cool air, a!
the brilliant extent Of the Mediterranean
which, bounded only by clear horizon
stretches on both sides to an immense dis
lance. The scene is doubly animated if an.
vessels approach from the offing, or if tn
signal tower has announced that the arm
of the Crescent have been victorious, ant
the winds are waiting Christian eaptives t
the harbor. The tops of the houses are the
covered with spectators and as red an
white chiefly prevail in thei' clothes, tn
uninterrupted prospect is lively beyond i'm
agination, heightened as it Is by flowers an
evergreens planted in large boxes on Ii
terraces. The population consists Of 600
Mahomedans, $4,000 Jews, and 1000 Chris
tians. Its circumference comprises spaC
of geographical mile and half Us to
degrce,) and contains from 8 to 1000
houses. The streets are very narrow, al
| e. >Ct a.