The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-02

The journey 10 that charming retreat
the oasis of Biskra in the Algerian des-
ert, on the edge of. the Great Sahara,
is not at all arduous and can be accom-
plished direct from London i'm four days,
the through ticket costing a little over
G12. From Marseilles the comfortable
steamers OF the Transatlantique company
leave once a week direct from Philippe
vile. and once weekly. via Bona. the di-
rect crossing taking thirty hours. From
.'hillppevile, Biskra is reached by rail
in day, says a London newspaper. Most
travellers will prefer TO break their jour
ney at Constantine. that inland Gibraltar
whose splendid situation, enthroned on Its
isolated plateau of rocks, is unique In the
world.
Interesting as IL is, however, IL unfor-
tunately lacks good hotel accommodation.
an accusation which canrot be urged
against Biskra, which possesses at least
one hrst-class hotel in the Royal and
several others, the Victoria, the Oasis, the
Des Zibans, etc, clean, comfortable and
moderate enough 10 suit every ones
means The Royal Is the most modern,
and has a large inner court laid out as
garden, an extensive fiat roof and a
minaret. whence the gorgeous desert sun
sets can be viewed TO perfection and
spleLdiG view from the terrace east
ward, over the bed of the river, the
oued Biskra. TO the Sahara and the pic
turesque range Of hills. the Dejbel- Met
ILL., on the horizon. The Dar-Diaf hotel,
attached 10 the casino, has an excellent
restaurant and cafe. the prices at all
these hotels ranging from u to is francs
a day.
At Biskra 1t rarely rains. though heavy
tropical showers are not unknown. bright
sun and blue sky are the rule; there is no
damp, and the pure, ury air of the Sa-
hara is of incalculablc benefit 10 seekers
after health. yet II has by no means the
appearance OF a resort for invalids only;
the little town wears a gay French afr,
has .excellent shops and bazars. pubic
gardens. in whicn roses, helitrope, hi
discus and bougain villea vie in profuson
and coloring. "A highly oriental looking
marie, a French fort garrison and mil
itary club all picturesquely contrasting
with the Arab life which 10 unaccus
toned nothern eyes is the great and sa
llent novelty OF the place.
Very quaint and interesting are the ma
tive streets, the market square with it's
huddled groups of .white-robed Arabs. the
languid procession of, laden and Veary
camels. and tunnel shaped avenues Of
mimoss and the villages scattered about
the oasis screened aNd overhung Z by
countless waying date palms. hot less
countless TO the enchanted traveller be-
causs-of. his>guide. With 1rigtd sccurauy
informs AfinT% .tnata. the oasis contains
not less than 10000 OF these selfsame
palm trees In this iadolents land there
is Yet plenty for the- energetic to do: the
mornings can be pleasantly occupied by
bathing at the Hammames- -Salahin. six
Il 1nt aNtr a., ft.r tl,,r.
is a miniature bathing establishments built
over the springs. which have a natural
heat OF l12 degrees iPahrenheit AS this
heat is. however, extremely eneryating
to the bather, it Is advisable TO order the
bath beforehand and to allow II time TO
cool to a reasonable temperature. The
tramway which runs to the baths passes
first under the palms and mmosa, through
the exquisite oasis OF .BeniMo out into
the desert. taking about three-quarters
of an hour for the journey
In the afternoon there are excursions
driving, riding on horses or camels TO the
environs and to- the neighboring oasis
and after dinner. concerts. operattas
petits, chevrans and baccarat at the cas-
ino or visits 10 the numerous Moorish
cafes In the town, where may be seen
the native girls dancing their strangely
monotonous Arab dances to/ the no less
monotonous accompaniment OF Arab mu-
sic, strident tom-toms and ear-piercing
pipes, intended only. one is told. as an
accompaniment TO the distracted thoughts
OF the listeners while he sips the sweet
ened coffee and smokes innumerable Gig
arettes. The rather saualid haunts OF the
bachish smokers may also be visited. Ex-
cellent guides are to be found at the ho-
tells, all OF whom speak French. and some
a little English. Travellers who visit Bis
kra, unless for health usually stay day
or two only. but II is really well worth n
longer visit. A fortnight certainly can
be pleasantly passed there. in tho course
OF which the expedition by diligence to
the important oasis and city OF Puanut
can be undertaken. There is also fairly
good shooting within easy reach: cham
ois and the mouflon. which are really
Barbary sheep. abound. between Biskra
and El-Kantara, ariCfW these expedi-
tiops the services pf ontof the numerous
trustworthy guides. can be reduisitioned
A feature OF BiskrB r. the curious villa
OF Count Lanbon. which he kindly allows
10 be shown 20 visitors during the after
noon. The various rooms are not under
one roof. but are OF the splendid tropi-
cal garden. in which are successfully ac-
climated many rare fruit trees. shrubs
and other plants
Very charminsly do the hours slip away