Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1840-03-19

oHI W - ~
4 ne Hadii ADd-el-Kader Oulld Mandolin, belongs
TO most ancient family of Marabons, and descends,
like his kinsman, the Emperor of Morocco, from the
Fatimite Caliphs. lie was born at Guetna, sort of
seminary near Mascara, on the Hachem territory,
where the Marabouts, his ancestors, assembled a
number of young men to instruct them IN letters,
theology, and juris prudence. Abd-e-kader was ed
ucated well Arab can be by his father, Sidi
Mahddn, who turned to his best account his intsi-
gcnce and energy. As yet but boy not passage
of the Koran perplexed him. and his explanat ions
were reader than those OF the abest commentators
He likewise, diligently applied himself to oratory
and history, and successfully, that he IS now the
most eloquent speaker in his country IAN immense
advantage among the Arabs) and perfectly acquant-
ed with the annals Of his nation. Nor did he ne
gcct the exercises OF the body, in which he eNcels
he being generally reckoEed the best horseman in the
Barbar, States. In short, at the early age of TWEEN
ty, he was distinguished for all the qualities which
like behold in those whom they place at their
head.
Abd-el-Kader is now about thiry-one years old !;
he is Of middling height with little eab0RpOint mis-
counter &c is mild, expressive and distinguishes
his eyes are very hne ms beard thn and dark, and
his teeth, which arc i'll set, are blue spotted ; his
hands, of which he takes particular care, are eX-
renely fine and delicate; his head is generally some
what inclined towards the leit shoulder; his man
ners arc afabe, and most polite, and dignhed he
seldom is BETRAYED into anger, but always keeps
command ov er himself; in short TO quote the words
of an intelligent and impartial French officer OF rank
who has been employed upon negotiations with
the natives almost ever since the occupation of Al
giers the whole person of the Emir ~ fascinating,
and il is difficult To- know and not TO like him.
Abd-el- Kader is man of great bravery, yet his
mind i, perhaps better adapted TO government than
10 military affairs Though gifted with great forth
tude and he has occasionally betrayed
some detection in the arduous circumstances he has
had 10 contend with. His manners are pure even
rigidy so he has but one wife, whom he most ten
derly loves. Three years ago his family consisted
ONLY of a daughter, then four or five years DID, and
of son, born few days before the French entered,
hen IN his initial he
dwell with his family IN rather a fine house but
which was not the palace. He lived there without
any guards, and as private individual Every day,
early hour, he repaired to the palace or hey
lick TO transact public business and give audiences.
In the ey cning he returned to his heusc and again
! became private individual.
| Abd.eL kader is equally unpresuming in his dress,
his costume being that Of mere Arab, without any
sort Of ornament badge Of distinction. IL he dis
PLAYS any splendour il is about his arms and horses.
At one time he wore buTnous the tassels of which
were of gold but Of his brothers-in-law, whom
he had appointed kaid Of powerful tribe, having
INDUCED in that station in pomp which had excited
some discomfort he sent for him, and alter censur-
| ing his conduct, added, Follow my example am
richer and more powerful than you, yet see how !
am dressed will not retain those paltry tas-
sails that YOU see hanging 20 my burnous." He inn
mediately cut them of, and from that moment has
never the slightest bit Of gold or silver about
his person
Abd-el-Kader is very fond Of study, TO which he
devotes the few hours he spare from his active
life. A little library accompanies him in all his
movements. When any expedition he displays
much more OF royalty than when IN town he then
lives under a superb and convenient tent in a nook,
Of which, elegantly fitted up. he gives private audi
ences and attends TO state affairs. la the camp he
employs his time follows, when the day Is not Ia
ken up with military operations On reaching his
tent. after days march, he keeps by him but
servant and after minutes devoted TO dressing
and clcanliness summons his secretaries aud primo
pal officers in succession, and works with them till
o'clock he then presents himself at the entrance
of his tent and himself says the public prayers he
next breaches for half hour taking TO select
religious text that may naturally lead him to incu
cate tie notions IL suits him 60 propagate upon war
and politics nobody, however. is obliged 60 attend
bis serm Some moments after he SITS down to
table with his chief secretary and a confidential
friend, M'oud Ben Arach his brothers, when they
with the army, and the oftcner OF his agas
The dishes served up 60 him few in number, but
good and carefully prepared.
Abd-el Kader appears TO have religious feelings
and due notions Of Providence; but he is fanatic
lie does not tread discussing religious matters with
Christians and he argues with pOltencss aud It'll
out asperity. lie is an honest man, and has wcll-
established moral principles though subtle and
cunning in diplomatic peint &c view, he IS faith
fnl observer OF his word Nothing j. more forci IN
20 his nature than cruelty he governs the Arabs
with Justice and milinoss, thereby cuniuting those
no maintain that they be governed only BY ter
ror Wherever it has been IN his power he has act
cd with clemency and generosity towards his enc
mica Two only have suffered death under his go
vernmcn, and that after due trai-thc Gadi e Ar
Jew and sidi-cl- Gomarez, Sheik Of Angad, who was
hung az Mascara. in august, $50.
The con ersatip,i of Abd-e Kader is very animat-
cd and at times witty IN private life he Is consi
dered parsimo ninus but rs prince he knows iull
commercial matters his notions are most Of them err
rOpeDuo.