Six Years Residence in Algiers

Front matter

SIX YEARS RESIDENCE IN ALGIERS. £ng*h,'WÆItuirs r^{far?^jlM^_^/œœa' . "*:.., ■ .* ■ iNDON* OTXEY CONDUIT STREET SIS Y1AW 3E1MP1-W€1 BY %mmmT@$j THE DEDICATION OF THIS LITTLE WORK, HAS BEEN, BY GRACIOUS CONDESCENSION, ACCEPTED BY THAT AUGUST PRINCESS, WHOSE FOSTERING CARE HAS BROUGHT TO PERFECTION, AND WHOSE ILLUSTRIOUS VIRTUES HAVE BEEN THE MODEL, OF €bt <Bvm, SSJtsfaom, anti (gootriusis, WHICH CALL FORTH THB ADMIRATION OF MILLIONS WHO GRATEFULLY UNITE IN INVOKING HEAVEN'S CHOICEST BLESSINGS ON HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE DUCHESS OF KENT; AND NONE CAN DO SO WITH MORE HEARTFELT EARNESTNESS THAN HER ROYAL HIGHNESS MOST GRATEFUL, DEVOTED, HUMBLE SERVANT, ELIZABETH BROUGHTOX. NEWINGTON HOUSE, *> Edinburgh, April 1830. > SIX YEARS RESIDENCE IN ALGIERS. BY MRS. BROUGHTON. LONDON : SAUNDERS AND OTLEY, CONDUIT STREET. MDCCCXXX1X. EDINBURGH^ c Pag* 1 CONTENTS.

Chapter I

Prefatory Address to the Reader — Commencement of the Diary — Departure from Malta in the Hydra Frigate — Arrival at Algiers — Mr Blanckley's first Audience of the Dey — His dignified Deportment properly appreciated by His Highness — Captains Muudy and Jones sail in the Frigate — Discontent of a Maltese Nurse Maid — Possession taken of the British Consulate — Robbery — Algerine Jealousy — Consular Privilege — Three English Sailors rescued from Slavery — Prize captured by the Beagle Sloop-of-War — Aga strangled — Sudden Marriage of the Dragoman — The use of a Key — Wedding Visit to an Algerine Bride — Description of her Dress — Visit of the American Consul and his Lady,

Chapter II

Caftan of Honour conferred by the Grand Signor — Gala Day in consequence at the Palace — Diplomatic Gymnastics — Mad Consul — The Dey's Courtesy — Sicilian CONTENTS. Pag< 71 26 Slave and Infant — Arrival of the Niger — The Pacha's estimation of British Economy — Assassination of the King of the Jews — Mrs Farara, Sketch of her History The Gitana's Prediction, its singular and tragic fulfilment — Conclusion of the great Mahommedan Fast — Festa at the Palace — Moorish Wrestling — Slight offered to the French Consul — Hapless Fate of the Captain and Officers of a Portuguese Frigate — Our First Visit to the British Garden — A French Privateer captured and brought into Algiers — Marriage of the Cadi's Daughter,

Chapter III

Further Proof of the Dey's amicable intentions — Contract for the Trade of Bona, and Possession of La Cala and II Col — The Consul's Present to His Highness on the Conclusion of the Treaty — Visit to the Sultana — War between Tunis and Algiers — Russian Vessel liberated through Mr Blanckley's influence — Visit to our next Neighbour — The Dey's Satisfaction at a Loan of Money — Rejoicings for the Defeat of theTunisines — Pretender to the Throne of Tunis — Mutiny at Malta,

Chapter IV

Subscription for a poor Slave — Celebration of his Majesty's Birth-day — Coolness of the Dey in consequence of the Arrest of an Algerine Ship — Ingratitude of an English Domestic — Angela and Angelina — Gratifying approval CONTENTS. Page of Mr Blanckley's Services, and Official Ratification of the Contract by his Majesty's Government, ill

Chapter V

Marabout's Present — Departure of ransomed English Sailors — Mr Blanckley's receipt of their written communication The Dey's advice to him — Shipwreck on the coast of Gigery — Savage character of the natives ; their cruelty and ignorance — Interference of a Marabout — Sufferings of our unfortunate Countrymen — Their ransom effected, and their reception at Algiers — Gratifying Letter from the Ironmongers Company, who indemnify Mr B. for the ransom of the poor Tars — Punishment of Moorish Deserters — Contagious disease prevails — Etiquette respecting the Plague — Exemption in favour of the English Janissary — Vessel wrecked beneath the British Garden — Sicilian Slaves captured by Rais Amido — Siroc wind — Cruel treatment of two Ragusees for their veracity — Delay in the arrival of the Regalos of several Christian Tributaries ; consequent ill-humour of the Dey — The Jews fear being pillaged — An Embargo laid upon an American Vessel — An English Gentleman claims the Consul's protection — Arrival of His Excellency Sir Arthur Paget — His Visit to the Garden — Violent and repeated shocks of Earthquake — 111 conduct of a ci-devant English Vice-Consul — Letter from the King of Spain to the Dey, 51

Chapter VI

Infamous treatment of the Danish, Dutch, and Spanish Consuls — Timidity of our Dragoman — Favourable view CONTENTS. XI Pagi 72 of Achmet Pacha's character — His personal regard for my Father The Bey of Constantina sends a superb Arab Horse — Its untimely Fate — Visit to the Marina — Blind Bob — The Pet Lamb and the Jackals — Embassy of the Capushee Bashee — Nephew of the Emperor of Mo rocco — The Dey's Menagerie — Chivalry of the Lion — The Guardian Pacha owes his Life to my Father's in tercession — Assassination of two Beys of Algiers,

Chapter VII

The Renegade — Mr Blanckley sails for Minorca — Death of the Dutch Consul — Celebration of Napoleon's Fete — Biographical Sketch of Madame de Thainville — Present from the French Emperor to the Dey — Reprisals on the unfortunate Sicilian Slaves — Mr B. returns from the Fleet.— Admiral Lord Collingwood — Capture of 140 Portuguese — Threatened Rupture between the Regency and Great Britain — Liberation and Departure from Algiers of many English Subjects — My Parents' Hospitality and Benevolence — Description of our African Menage — More Clouds on our Political Horizon — Revolution and Massacre of Achmet Pacha — Accession of the new Dey — The Divan — First Audieuce of the Dey Ali — Jews take Sanctuary in our Town-house — Disappearance of a Cabailli Chieftain and his Followers — Complimentary Visits on the Conclusion of the Ramadahn Our Mountain Walk- — Sidi Cadua's Reverses The Dey's unpopularity and Court Intrigues — Sidi Omar betrayed by his Wife's Sister— Preliminaries of Peace with Sicily — Fate of a Pet Eagle — Departure of the Spanish Consul — Arrogance of the Turkish Soldiery — Ascetic CONTENTS.

X Page 95 1* Regulations enforced — Unreasonable Conduct of Por tuguese Officers — M. Barthelemy, A. D. C. to the French Emperor — Earthquake at Bona,

Chapter VIII

Another Revolution — Account of the Dey's Deposition and Death — Great Drought — Algerine Ships detained at Marseilles — Monsieur Arago — The new Dey's estimation of a Philosopher — Affliction of Padre Paolo — Capture of several Enghsh Ships — A Literary Captain — Seizure of Algerine Vessels, and consequent annoyance and perplexities — The Scrivano Grande purchases his own ransom- — The Benefits of Freemasonry — Archibald Dalzel, Esq. — Our Janissary Hassan accompanies the Regalo to Constantinople— History of an Empress of Morocco — Honourable conduct of M. Ragueneau de la Chenaye — Sidi Hamdan, an Algerine Savant,

Chapter IX

Austrian Refugee — 11 primo Giorno di Primavera — Execution of a Woman for Poisoning — Torture inflicted upon Criminals — Invitation to the Guardian Pasha's — Arrival of the Cambrian Frigate — Arbitrary Treatment of the French Charge d'Affaires — The Buzeria — Projected Travels — Cabailli Village-— Anniversary of the Birth of Mahommed — The Dey offers the aid of his Troops to England — The King of the Two Sicilies — Letter • of Thanks to my Parents — Arrival and Entertain- CONTENTS. Page 164 184 198 ment of the Portuguese Ambassador — Speedy Termi nation of Wedded Life — Fish and Honeycomb — Mr Blanckley appointed Consul-General for Portugal — Cere monious reception by the Dey, of a Letter from the King of England — Festa at Babel-Ouate — Splendid Presents to their Britannic Majesties — Captain Vansittart,

Chapter X

Chasseurs Britanniques— Another Conspiracy — Captain of the Port of Pantalaria — Earthquake — Lord Cochrane — Death of Padre Guiseppe,

Chapter XI

Rais Amido — Native Gentry — Projects; and regrets that they have " not left a wreck behind" — Bacri, King of the Jews — His Brother takes sanctuary in our House — Hassan's Return — Dissensions with the Bey of Oran — The first Sedan Chair — Consular Regalo — Chicanery of a Dragoman — Ali Rais accepts the Office,

Chapter XII

Sidi Cadua's unhappy fate — The Caid of Tesso reprieved —Execution of the renegade Escudera — Cruelties of Ali Pasha — Deposition of the Minister of the Marina — Curious Sheep — Honourable Captain Duncan—Tragic fate of three Tunisines — Gallant Conduct of Captain CONTENTS. XIII Page 213 220 243 Williams of the Entreprenante — Departure of old Fran cisco—The Princess of Tripoli — Jewish Coiner Return of the Algerine Ambassador — The Dey's discontent at the unsuitable presents sent from England,

Chapter XIII

His Britannic Majesty's Brig Onyx arrives with Admiral Scamieia and Suite — Bey of Tunis successful in quelling a Revolt — Massanre of Durand, King of the Jews — Final Redemption of Portuguese Officers, <Scc. &c Horrible Execution of a Criminal — Shameful Insult offered to the Spanish Consul — Ravages of the Small- Pox — Changes in the Algerine Administration Persecution of the Bentibe Family — How to become a Bey — The poor Jewess and her Children — Converted Egyptian — Further Distresses of the unhappy Widow of Achmet Pacha, . . . *

Chapter XIV

Christmas Day — A Ghost — A man not a whit the richer for finding a Treasure — Revolution in Tunis— Seven British Sailors ransomed — Death of or. Monkey by Hydrophobia — Strict surveillance of the Christian Slaves by our Janissary— Secretary of the Spanish Cortes — Birth of an Ottoman Prince — Arrival of Mr M'Donell — Assassination of an Algerine Youth ; trifling punishment of the Assassin — Capture of Mr and Mrs Delisle— Singular request of a Marabout — The Guardian Pacha — Our last visit to " the Garden," . -. CONTENTS. Pap 2.19 279 299

Chapter XV

Departure from Algiers — Excellent Oranges Arrival at Minorca— The Ville de Paris — The 4th of June— Quarantine — Cordial reception from our Minorquin Friends We sail for Gibraltar — Cardinal Gravina and the Duke of Clarence — His Eminence's hat — Reminiscences of Algiers — First and Second Equestrian Souvenirs — Bread and Butter — Our House-keeping — Description of the Houses — Passion for Flowers — Danger incurred from wearing a Rose,

Chapter XVI

Fantazia, Uzanza, and Mangiado — Description of Algiers continued — Evening Promenade — Our next-door Neighbours— Bab-el-Ouate — The Cemeteries— The Dey's Garden — Christian Governments tributary to the Dey— Algerine Policy — Ostriches — Lettiga The Bernouse — Negro Festivities — The Antipathies of a Mule — City Police, CHAPTER XVIT. Fountains — The Mountain Road — Wild Flowers and Asparagus — Ladies' Travelling Equipage — The Old House — The Conspiracy — Hassan's Solicitude and Prediction ; its Fulfilment — The British Garden — Renegades much despised, . , CONTENTS. XV Pae. 316 328 350 37«

Chapter XVIII

Description of our Country Residence continued Palace of Mustapha Pacha — Consul Falcon — The immortal Nelson's Clemency misinterpreted — Mr Wyndham's Letter to my Father — Governor of Minorca's Persecution — My Father's Interview with Lord Nelson,

Chapter XIX

Vegetable Productions of the Country — Jackals, admirers of the Fruit of the Vine — The Hermitage and its En. virons— Our watchful Guardians — Untimely Fate of two Pigs — The most effectual Charm against " the Evil Eye" — Irrigation — A visit from a Hyena — Rencontre of a Marabout,

Chapter XX

Our Janissary Hassan — Persecutions of the Jewish Race Story-Telling Murder "of Mustapha Pacha — The Saucer-eyed Lady— The Tailor's Peruke,

Chapter XXI

Description of Fruits continued — Tame Hare — Wild Animals — Birds — Insects — Fish — Catching a Polypus — Our Bathing Place — Our Flocks and Herds — Depredation of a Jackal — Our Cabailli Servants— Said, CONTENTS. Page

Chapter XXII

Biographical Sketch of our worthy Nurse and her stupid Husband — Story of old Francisco and his Sons, 392

Chapter XXIII

Destruction of Documents by Fire — Festivities on tbe Birth of the Cadi's Grandson — Aquatic Dancing — Moorish Dinners — Receipt for Dressing Cuscousou — Derivation of Vermicelli — Sidi Arabie — Music — Conclusion, RESIDENCE IN ALGIERS.

Chapter I

Prefatory Address to the Reader — Commencement of the Diary —Departure from Malta in the Hydra Frigate^Arrival at Algiers — Mr Blanckley's Erst Audience of the Dey — His dignified Deportment properly appreciated by his Highness — Captains Munity and Jones sail in the Frigate — Discontent of a Maltese Nurse Maid— Possession taken of the British Consulate- Robbery— —Algerine Jealousy—Consular Privilege— -Three English Sailors rescued from Slavery — Prize captured by the Beagle Sloop of War — Aga strangled — Sudden Marriage of the Dragoman — The use of a Key — Wedding Visit to an Algerine Bride — Description of her Dress — Visit of the American Consul and his Lady. The following pages have no pretensions to the character of a regular and connected narrative. They consist simply of Extracts from a Diary of occurrences kept by my mother during a residence in Algiers, from the year 1806 to 1812, while my late father, Henry Stanyford Blanckley, held the appointment of His Britannic Majesty's Agent and Consul General at Algiers.

To these Extracts I have added certain Reminiscences or Souvenirs of my own, for which I feel it necessary to bespeak the indulgence of the reader. For in undertaking to transcribe, and where necessary, to explain and enlarge my mother's Journal, I rely in the first place upon my memory, to enable me to make it intel ligible to others ; since, although in almost all pas sages I have strictly adhered even to the precise expressions of the Journal, yet in others it would have been impossible exactly to have copied its terse annotations, as it was originally written in pursuance of a habit apparently followed up almost from childhood, which the Diary of many years, now in my possession, testifies. My mother, when probably pressed for time, merely noted down ab breviated memoranda of the day's occurrences, whilst at other times she is comparatively diffuse in her remarks.

It may perhaps surprise some of those who may be induced to read the fruit of my present undertaking, that the memory of a very little girl could have been furnished with any in formation respecting many events of a more se rious nature than those which usually divide the thoughts of such little people with their doll and story-books. Therefore let me in all humility in treat their indulgence, not to judge me on exactly the same line with my compeers, from the consideration of the following circumstances. — I was my most indulgent mother's first-born, (although I ranked but as my dearest father's third daughter,) and from a very early period, by the marriages of my sisters, I became the eldest daughter of the house. As the multitude of my parent's faithful counsellors in that distant land was not very nu merous, I was necessarily much confided in, and not only allowed, but desired to be often present at conferences held on subjects of a grave nature.

This was not only very flattering to my amour propre, but had the effect of making me very cir cumspect and observant in my deportment. I will now proceed to the Extracts from my mother's Diary, and my own Reminiscences. For the sake of distinction, the former will be enclosed in inverted commas. " 30th Sept. 1806. — Sailed in the evening from Malta in the Hydra Frigate, Captain Mundy. Anchored in the Bay of Algiers on the 9th Octo ber, when we were saluted from the Dey's battery with 21 guns. We landed on the following day under a salute from the frigate and battery. The Dey received Mr Blanckley very graciously, although on his offering him his hand to salute, Mr B. respectfully, but in the firmest manner, declined doing so, as being an homage he only felt due to his own Sovereign. The Dey looked earnestly at him, whilst the Dragoman interpreted Mr B.'s answer, then good-humouredly held out his hand, and shook Mr B.'s very heartily."

From that moment was my dear father's popularity established. His gracious and firm deport ment, his fine countenance and noble presence, ensured universal respect. " 12th October. — Captain Mundy, Captain Jones of the Artillery, and others of our friends, sailed this evening, and left us in this strange land. I have been so much annoyed at the disconsolate conduct of my children's nurse, whom I brought from Malta, at seeing herself surrounded by turbans, that I have been under the necessity of sending her back in a merchant vessel, which fortunately goes directly to Malta. She has never ceased weeping since we disembarked, aud exclaiming, I must die, my heart is black, " il mio cuore sta negro, il mio cuore sta negro ;" so that she has been perfectly useless, and has made my poor children almost as unhappy as herself."

" 1th November. — To-day we took possession of our town-house, and discovered that during our absence in the country, casks and boxes, containing household goods, had been broken into, and knives, grocery stores, &c. abstracted. We had until this time resided at the country-house of an English merchant, who had offered the use of it to Mr B. until his own residence was ready for him. We have applied to the police of the country, but without redress, as they declare they cannot trace the robbery. However, we have had a complaint made to us in return, in consequence of our Eng lish butler John having presumed to make his ap pearance on the terraced roof of the house." This privilege is only permitted to the Consuls themselves, who out of courtesy, never avail them selves of it, at least after the hour of sunset, when the Algerine belles take their evening promenade, and exhibit themselves and their jewels to their fair neighbours, until the instant that the even ing prayer in the mosques ceases.

Then their noisy leave-taking, and the clattering of their half slippers, as they hurriedly descend from the ter races, to welcome home their lords, may be distinctly heard from one end of the city to the other. It is at this time that they take their principal and most substantial repast, the men having been ab sent from a very early hour of the day, occupied in their several avocations of business or amusement. ■" 9th — Three English sailors were brought to our house by order of the Regency. They had been brought to Algiers by some Moors, who had taken them prisoners, and conducted them two or three days march across the country. The account they give of themselves is, that they belong to a Spanish prize, (taken by the Beagle sloop of war off Carthagena,) with which they were on their way to Gibraltar in order to get her condemned ; and that they had landed to procure water, when they were made prisoners, and as they feared slaves, by the inhabitants of the country : their consequent joy on being brought to the British Consulate was very great.

Mr B. supplied them with necessaries, and sent them under an efficient escort back to where they had left their companions in the prize." " 12th. — The Ramadahn, or moon of fasting, from daylight until sunset, commenced amongst the Mahomedans. It was ushered in by the Aga, or commander-in-chief of all the cavalry, being strangled." " I understand our Dragoman, Rais Ali, was married last night, although he says that he had no intention of the kind two or three days ago. He is a strange being. He served several years in our navy, where he acquired his present refined knowledge of the English language. The name he bore was Tom Lee. He professes him- •self to be a most devoted admirer of the English, more especially of the ladies of that country. " The three sailors are returned ; the prize had disappeared.

I have ordered each of the poor fellows a suit of linen, and I have had beds made up for them, which they stand in great need of, as they have been lying on the bare ground ever since they left their ship." " This morning, I remarked that Rais Ali had a large key stuck in his sash, and enquired what it belonged to. He said it was the key of his house. " What ! have you locked up your wife ?" " Yes." " And who with her ?" " Oh ! nobody but the cat. I go to-day to buy her a slave." I pitied the poor bride so much, that I offered to pay her a visit, at which the Rais appeared much pleased." " 15th. — I went, according to my promise, to pay my wedding visit to Rais Ali's wife, but found that he had not yet fulfilled his intention of pur chasing her an attendant ; for he unlocked the door himself, let us in, and ushered us up stairs, where we found the lady in lonely grandeur.

She was literally laden with pearls, and appeared very passive and contented, merely staring at us. She had on a high gold fillagree cap, from which were suspended on each side of her face long rows of pearls, with many of which her neck was com pletely covered. Her dress consisted of two or three open jackets, or short caftans, without sleeves, merely fastened at the waist ; very full trousers, and a silk golden striped shawl, two corners of which were tied round her waist in front, the rest hanging down in lieu of a petticoat. The sleeves of her chemise were made of fine em broidered muslin, and of such extraordinary width, that they were drawn behind her caftan, and were tied in a knot, forming a very becoming drapery. Her feet and ankles were bare, the latter encircled with thick gold leglets.

The least agreeable part of her appearance, (for she was sufficiently comely to justify my complimenting the Rais on his choice, or rather luck, for he had never seen her before marriage;) was three perforations in the upper part of each ear, and two others in the part where they usually are made; in each of these places she wore enormous round rings, in which stones were set, so that her ears were quite bent down, hanging in the elephant style. After we had quite satisfied our curiosity, we took a silent leave of the quiet lady, who was again locked up by our careful conductor. " To-day I also received a visit from the Ame rican Consul and his lady, with whom I am more pleased every time I have the pleasure of seeing her. She is niece to the wife of the celebrated General Washington, by whom she was brought up." BESIDENCE IN ALGIERS.

Chapter II

Caftan of Honour conferred by the Grand Signor — Gala Day in consequence at the Palace — Diplomatic Gymnastics — Mad Consul The Dey's Courtesy — Sicilian Slave and Infant— Arrival of the Niger— The Pacha's estimation of British Economy — Assassination of the King of the Jews — Mrs Farara,. Sketch of her History — The Gitana's Prediction, its singular and tragic fulfilment — Conclusion of the great Mahommedan Fast Festa at the Palace — Moorish Wrestling — Slight offered to the French Consul — Hapless Fate of the Captain and Officers of a Portuguese Frigate — Our First Visit to the British Garden — A French Privateer captured and brought into Algiers — Marriage of the Cadi's Daughter. " 18th. — There are great rejoicings at the palace on the reception of a robe of honour, conferred by the Grand Signor as a mark of his approbation of the Dey's conduct.

A salute of nineteen guns has been sired on the occasion." " All the Consuls have to-day paid their respects to his Highness, with the exception of the French. He always paid his court the night before, eyer a since the following circumstance occurred. From time immemorial a scuffle for precedence had taken place between the British and French Consuls Ge neral, on every occasion in which they had met in the Dey's presence; none of the Envoys of the other Powers, of course, ever presuming to dispute precedence with the representatives of the two great rival nations. The consular dignity must on these occasions, if the account is correct, have been greatly compromised, as it was not by Machiave lian skill that so momentous a point was usually decided, but by the superior personal agility exer cised by his Britannic Majesty's representatives ; to the no little edification of the long-bearded courtiers, who witnessed the indecorous exhibi tions of European gymnastics.

It at last happened that Consul Falconer, a gentleman still remembered by the sobriquet of " the mad Consul," was determined that in Algiers at least, a final end should be put to Gallic presumption. On some grand Festa, he therefore arrived at the palace, just before the time of admission to the Dey's presence, and having posted himself at the foot of the great staircase, he there patiently awaited the appearance of the French Consul, who no sooner came up, than the usual race began, until they reached the top of the stairs, and were in the august presence of his Highness, when Mr Falconer suddenly caught his antagonist round the waist, threw him over the ban isters,then composedly walked forward, and paid his respects to the Dey, amidst the shouts of laughter and applause of all present.

Happily the poor Frenchman escaped without any other hurt, ex cept the incurable mortification he experienced, which ever after prevented him and all his succes sors from again entering the lists with John Bull. " Shortly after Mr B.'s return from the palace, the Dey sent an officer to present his compliments, and a poor female slave, (with a lovely infant in her arms,) to wait upon me. Poor helpless unfortunate, she appears unable to do any thing for herself or child. They had just been brought in by an Algerine cruiser, wheih had captured them when on their passage from Gaeta to Leghorn, whither she wa**. going to rejoin her husband. She is a pretty girl of only seventeen, her poor babe but three months old. Her whole wardrobe was snatched from her as their perquisite, by the crew of the vessel that captured her.

Her money and jewels falling to the Dey's share, he has, out of compliment to me, given orders that all the latter shall be restored, that by their sale she may be enabled to purchase clothing. This is the first instance ever known of such an act of mercy, and it is considered a mark of high consideration to the British Consul and nation." " 21st. — We were awakened by hearing a royal salute fired, on the Niger Frigate anchoring in the bay. Captain Hillyer has been sent by Lord Collingwood with a watch for the Dey, and he accompanied Mr Blanckley to the palace to present it. It is much to be lamented that so trumpe ry a present should have been sent, since it is to be feared, that far from its being of benefit in pro moting feelings of good-will towards our nation, it may very probably have a very opposite effect."

" On Mr B.'s presenting it to the Dey, he drew it from the case, and twisting it between his thumb and finger, eyed it with the most contemptuous expression of countenance, and calling to his head cook, (who, it appears, is a person of consequence in his household,) gave it to him, saying that he made him a present of it, as it was more fit for him than Himself. Mr B. and Capt. Hillyer were much mortified, and join in regretting that these matters were not better understood at home." "24th Our friends in the Niger took leave of us, and sailed after sunset. A brig also sailed out of the port, bound for Egypt, having on board a man who has been sentenced to banishment for life, for having some months back shot the King of the Jews. Had he killed the most insignificant individual of another creed, he would not have escaped so easily ; but the murderer of the most exalted Jew (notwithstanding all the efforts for revenge which his own people have made,) has not been thought worthy of suffering capital punishment."

" 25th. — I received a visit from a Mrs Farara and family ; she has the remains of having been a very beautiful woman." This Lady's parents were English ; she was born at Minorca; her father was a Lieutenant in an English regiment in garrison at Mahon, where he died. Her mother not long surviving, she was left an orphan, and but for the kindness of some benevolent Minorquins, in a state of perfect destitution. Shortly after the death of her mother, a Signor Farara arrived at Mahon ; he was an Algerine merchant, although a Christian and a native of the small island of Tabacra, whose entire inhabitants had some years before been swept off by an Algerine Corsair, and taken slaves to Algiers, Signor Farara being at the time an infant of only a few months old. I never heard what had been the fate of his parents, but he had a brother, a child a few years older than himself, who in process of time rose high in the favour of Hassan Bashaw (the Bashaw who died in his bed, and whose family and followers, consequently, were permitted to retain their property ;) and held the post of Caf fidgi or Coffee-maker to his Highness.

A ray of the sunshine in which he basked, fell also on his brother, and they amassed an ample indepen dence, which was at length crowned by the Dey conferring freedom upon them ; and they established themselves as merchants, the younger brother often acting as supercargo on board their own vessel. On one of these occasions he visited Minor ca, and saw our lovely countrywoman, to whom he immediately made proposals of marriage, which the advice of her charitable protectors, and the consideration of her helpless situation, induced her to accept. The same motives also in fluenced her in complying with Signora Farara's desire, that she would, at the same time, renounce the Protestant faith, and enter the Roman Catho lic Church. She was, I know, but sixteen at the time of her marriage, and I do not exactly know how long previously she had been an orphan ; but I should suppose that her knowledge of religion must have been but superficial, and the faith she at that time professed merely nominal, for when we knew her, she was an extremely strict and de voted Roman Catholic.