The Massachusetts Spy, And Worcester County Advertiser

The territory of Algiers consists of the ancient Mauritania, and Tingitana, in length above 600 miles, and in breadth 180; bounded by the kingdom of Fez on the west-the ridges of Atlas and Biledulgerid on the south--Tunis on the east-and Mediterranean on the north.

Besides the metropolis of Algiers which contains a population of about 100,000 souls there are several other considerable cities. The population of Constantina is no less than 100,000. Oran is a large and populous town, with a tolerably good roadstead, 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 beautiful kingdoms, still exist, though in much decay. Boujeiah, a strong fortress, possesses a larger port than Algiers. Mesalquivir is a place, too, of some consequence, and likewise, Shershell. The salt pits of Arzew are said to be the most extensive in the world. Elcallah is renowned for its great market, and manufactories of shawls and carpets. The wool of the neighborhood is soft and flexible, and well fitted for the manufacture of such goods.

Bleeda is a populous town in the interior, and Gigeri, on the sea coast, are also places of some commercial importance.

There are various other large towns in the populous districts, many of which have rarely been visited by European travellers. It is needless to add, that these towns are but remnants of prosperity, for, notwithstanding the numerous splendid cities, containing all that was beautiful in Roman art, which once adorned Mauritania, the rage of its various invaders has left but little to gratify modern curiosity.

The climate of this country is soft and salubrious; the seasons follow each other in the gentlest succession ; the heats of the earlier autumn are excessive, but generally tempered by northerly winds. Few diseases are peculiar to the Algerine territory : it has not been visited by the plague for many years, though in the meantime raging with much violence in the neighboring island 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 numerous, and great quantities of the most beautiful corals are found on the coast. It is however, in the fertility of the soil that the chief riches of the country exist: a happy combination of warmth and humidity gives great vigor and magnificence to the vegetable productions; wheat and Indian corn are extremely 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 ; and une 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 well 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 a proverb, are a barbarous people; but though unlettered and unlearned, they are in a state of civilization far above the negroes of the interior of the continent or the Indians of America. They are in fact rather a rude than a savage race. Some of their manufactures are beautiful and worthy of imitation. They dress with costly stuffs, in a 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 a judicature. 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.
The city of Algiers, is built on the declivity of a large hill, and the houses rise in regular progression like the seats of an amphitheatre. The town is surrounded by a wall of 12 feet in thickness. and of 30 feet in height on the land side, and 40 feet in height towards the sea. It has a citadel, and is moreover defended by seven castles and a number of batteries. There are five barracks, five ondacas, or magazines for provisions and foreign merchandize, sixty mosques, twelve public baths, sixty-two steam baths, and six bagnios for prisoners.

The public buildings are white, and, forming a beautiful contrast to the surrounding verdure of the country, present a strongly resplendent appearance from the sea, particularly when illuminated by the beams of the sun. The roofs are flat, and on them in the evening the inhabitants are seated, as well to enjoy the fresco, or cool air, as the brilliant extent of the Mediterranean, which, bounded only by a clear horizon, stretches on both sides to an immense distance. 'The scene is doubly animated if any vessels approach from the offing, or if the signal tower has announced that the arms of the Crescent have been victorious, and the winds are wafting Christian captives to the harbor. The tops of the houses are then covered with spectators; and as red and white chiefly prevail in their clothes, the uninterrupted prospect is lively beyond imagination, heightened as it is by flowers and evergreens planted in large boxes on the terraces. The population consists of 60,000 Mahomedans, 15,000 Jews, and 2000 Christians. Its circumference comprises a space of a geographical mile and a half (15 to a degree,) and contains from 8 to 10,000 houses. The streets are very narrow, and the roofs of the houses approach each other so closely as to prevent the access of the sun; so that, by means of its flat roofs it would be possible to establish a communication between the different quarters. High walls, provided with bastions and a dry ditch, run round the town. The casnuba or citadel, crowns its narrow height, and
town and the batteries on the sea-side in an advantageous manner.
The city of Algiers is the residence of the Dey and his Court, and has long been the chief station for the Algerine corsairs, who have braved the resentment of the strongest powers in Christendom, and filled the Mediterranean with dismay. It is extremely well defended, as well to resist the vengeance of nations despoiled of their property and subjects, as to guard the immense treasures resulting from a long series of successful piracies. The harbor, which is an artificial one, is small, shallow, and insecure, and its entrance is encumbered with several rocks and shoals. The entrance of the port is defended by a citadel, and considerable batteries. It is formed by a mole constructed on a low strip of ground of about 500 yards long, which connects the city with a small island on which the chief fortifications are built. On this island are the custom house, navy hall, dock-yards, and sail lofts, in which the slaves work; and here they are employed in loading and unloading vessels, fitting out corsairs, &c.

A guard ship is stationed at the entrance of the harbor, and several gallies, armed and manned, are near in case of an alarm, or an attempt on the part of the slaves to escape.
The city of Algiers has five gates. The Marine Gate opens to the mole; and here the slaves, every afternoon, when they have finished their work, are examined one by one, to see that they convey no arms or dangerous implements from the magazines and other places where they have been working.

A strong guard is always posted at this gate. This is the spot where the cruelties exercised against the slaves are most frequently witnessed. Parties are seen coming up the mole with a driver over them, carrying large casks of wine, or oil, or heavy bales slung on poles, and resting on their shoulders. In consequence of the ascent, the weight and strain rests so much on the legs, that the fibres of many of the old slaves are seen in knots and lumps about the calf.

The Babazira, or Fish Gate, so called from its being the rendezvous of the fishing boats, is a little to the south of the above, and near it, vessels are built and hove down. The Babazon Gate is due south, and terminates the main street which intersects the city nearly from north to south. This is the gate that principally communicates with the interior of the country : and round it, without the walls, are stalls and enclosures for the camels and other beasts of burden which bring provisions, or convey away merchandize. This is also the seat of public executions. In the ramparts large tenter-hooks are fixed, on which malefactors, or Christian slaves who have mutinied are cast from the walls, and left to decay or be devoured by the birds of prey.

The Babalonet Gate terminates the same street to the north, and opens to the best walks near the city.
The Babaxdit, or New Gate, is at the upper end of the city, leading to the Star Castle and Emperor's Fort. so called from its being commenced by Charles V., on a commanding eminence.

The houses of Algiers are built in the Spanish style, with a large paved court in the centre, round which the apartments are placed. They have only very small, high, and grated windows to the street. With the exception of the main street, the rest are so narrow that a loaded ass is an inconvenience to the passenger. They have gates at each end, which are shut and guarded at night to prevent intercourse; only Turks or privileged persons then can pass through them, and this with a lanthorn, carried by the individual or his servant.
The city contains ten large mosques, or houses of prayer, and many more smaller ones. As no bells are used, the people are assembled by a man ascending to the turret of the mosque, and calling aloud. The slaves. when the toils of the day are over, are shut up in bagnios, or slave prisons, under a guard. In these same places the Dey also keeps his wild beasts, such as lions and tygers, which the Beys of the interior send to him as presents. On the walls of the porticos leading into the bagnios, are hung all kinds of instruments of punishment, as a constant memento to the miserable occupiers, of what awaits them if they are insubordinate or unruly.
The principal buildings in the place, are the five Casserias or Barracks for the Turkish soldiers, and the Dey's palace. Each of these barracks is capable of containing 1000 men. There are three Public Schools, with several bazaars, and market places. There are also five lock up houses for the slaves. near which is a market for their sale. The Paschalick, or Dey's Palace, has two great courts, which are surrounded with spacious galleries, supported by two rows of marble columns; its interior ornaments chiefly consist of mirrors, clocks, and carpets. There are several taverns in the city kept by Christian slaves; and these are often frequented even by the Turks and Moors.

There is, however, no convenience for sleeping; so that those who enter Algiers from the country, are obliged to lodge at the house of some friend. European merchants visiting this place, hire apartments in the houses of Jews. Many public, as well as private baths, are kept, to which the Algerines resort, to perform ablutions before the hours of prayer. The operation is by vapor and hot water poured on the body, whilst strongly rubbed by a slave.

Without the Babalonet Gate, are numerous tombs and grave yards. The sepulchres of six Deys are there seen, who were strangled on the day of their election, and within a short time of each other. As the chief magistrate is chosen from among the soldiers, this frequently gives rise to the most bloody factions. The Turks, who are all soldiers, treat the Christians, as well as the Moorish inhabitants, in a most despotic manner.
The slaves are designated by an iron ring worn round the leg, which it is death to take off or hide. Some privileged slaves, for whose persons wealthy Turks and foreign consuls are answerable, are allowed to keep coffee houses, on paying a small sum per month. The Spaniards keep up an hospital for the relief of Christian slaves generally. It is provided with priests, who are also physicians, and render every aid in their power to the sick and distressed.
Seen from the sea, Algiers has the appearance,both in shape and color, of a main-top-gallant sail stretched out upon a green netd. The mountains which surround it, and a well cultivated country, covered with white buildings, amongst which there are superb structures, forms as you approach it, one of the most magnificent sights of any on the shores of the Mediterranean. Great works have been erected to fortify the maritime points by which it may be approached. On the land side, Algiers is almost entirely defenceless.

The immediate vicinity of Algiers is supposed to contain no less than 20,000 vineyards and gardens; while the beauty of its environs is by no means inferior to those of Richmond Chantilly, or Fiesole; but its effect is destroyed when we reflect on the people into whose possession so fine a country has fallen. The landscape is truly delightful, if only seen in a passing and rapid glance; but when the eye rests on it, the barrenness and aridity of many spots are disclosed, showing the contempt of its barbarous inhabitants for agriculture and cultivation, the place of which they supply by dedicating themselves to war and plunder.
The Algerine Divan is thus described:

It may be said of the Divan, as of the council of an old sovereign, when a person having asked, " What had passed at the grand council this morning?" Another answered, " What has passed? Why, three hours!"

In former times, all affairs of consequence, were argued and examined in this assembly, and not only this, but every decree of the Dey was to have its approval, previous to being put into force. But now the Dey assembles and dissolves it according to his good pleasure and convenience! entering the hall as Buonaparte used to go in amongst the pliant legislators of St. Cloud, or as Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Long Parliament. The Grand Gada, who usually represents the Dey, opens the Debate, by shortly stating the object of the meeting, and then concludes, by making his proposal that is to say, what must be acceded to; his silence is followed by casting a ferocious look round the assembly, which plainly indicates the result of nonconformity to his wishes.-New York Courier.

Hussein, Dey of Algiers-is not a man of cruel disposition. Severe only towards the Turkish militia, whose seditious and turbulent spirit he dreaded, he was just and humane towards the Algerine population, which had not to reproach him with prevarication or tyranny. He is not deficient in shrewdness, well educated for a Turk, and tolerably conversant with the political situation of Europe, and the complicated interests of the different Powers with respect to the East. It is this part of his information which has caused his fall, by inducing him to reckon imprudently on England. His military knowledge appears to be very limited. He has studied more the texts of the Koran and Arabian books than modern tactics.

It is said in a letter, that when some one observed to him that he had acted wrong in permitting the French to land without opposition, he replied-" But how would you have had me take them if I did not allow them to come?"

One day, seeing through a telescope a battalion firing with the front rank kneeling as usual, he said-" Look at them, they are asking quarter! Courage, children of Mahomet!" At another time, beholding them marching in close order, as if bound together, he said-"It is then true that the French are making war against their inclination, and have been chained together to force them to fight."-Paris paper.