tilities with the inhabitants of the other zone. Pacific relations might have been entered into with the Kabaïles, and such would probably in course of time have brought about a more surely-founded submission than force of arms is likely to do. During the first years of the French occupation, that retired race showed great shyness in entering into any commercial or other relation with the French; but lately signs of increasing disposition to carry on an exchange of produce has been shown, several of the markets having been attended by Kabaïles to a far greater extent than before; and in the month of March of 1846, during my residence at Algiers, a considerable caravan, attended by individuals of the great tribe of "Zouaoua" and the "Sidi-el-Djoudi," entered the city, bringing oil, figs, raisins, olives, goat-skins, burnooses, haïks &c., taking in exchange cloths, cottons, silk handkerchiefs, flannels, threads, needles, pins, mirrors, cutlery, glass, coral, ornaments for women, spicery, sugar, coffee, &c., together with quantities of iron and steel. And many of the most destitute of this race have even found employment in the city as porters, makers and sellers of mortar, &c.

The general and perhaps well-founded opinion is, that if these people were left in peace and

tranquillity, enticed by the manufactures and commerce of the French, they would soon be led to enter into more extensive relations with them, and, in course of time, become more ready to acknowledge their supremacy; but that if roused to arms, fuel being added to that fiery hatred which they naturally have for all strangers, especially "Christians," they will prove an eternal drain to French blood and treasure.

One of the views, indeed the chief object, in undertaking the late expedition into the Kabylie, was stated to be that of opening a communication by land between Algiers, Bougie, and Setif, the only communication at present being by sea: but there is no crying necessity at present for this, for the colony is not sufficiently advanced to require it; and, if it were, there is little doubt that that object might have been effected without having recourse to arms.

The abominable vices and debaucheries of the Kabyle race, the inhuman barbarities they are continually guilty of towards such as may be cast by tempest or other misfortune upon their rugged shores, the atrocious cruelties and refined tortures they, in common with the Arab, delight in exercising upon any such enemies as may be so unhappy as to fall alive into their

hands, must render the hearts of those acquainted with this people perfectly callous as to what misfortunes may befall them or their country; and many may be led to think that, as far as the advancement of civilization is concerned, the wiping off of the Kabyle and Arab races of Northern Africa from the face of the earth would be the greatest boon to humanity. Though, however, they may be fraught with all the vices of the Canaanitish tribes of old, yet the command, "Go ye after him through the city and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity; slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women," is not justifiably issued at the pleasure of man; and we can but lament to see a great and gallant nation engaged in a warfare exasperating both parties to indulge in sanguinary atrocities;-atrocities to be attributed on one side to the barbarous and savage state of those having recourse to them, but on the other proceeding only from a thirst for retaliation and bloody revenge, unworthy of those enjoying a high position as a civilized people. War is, as we all know, ever productive of horrors; but, as we are also all aware, such horrors may be greatly restrained and diminished by the exertions and examples of those in command.

COLUMN. -FORD OF THE HARATCH. -ENTHUSIASM OF THE

THE rumour that preparations were seriously on foot for undertaking an expedition directed against the Kabylie created a great sensation throughout Algeria. The general feeling of the colony was decidedly adverse to this movement, it being considered as the first step towards a long and difficult task, which, once commenced, must of necessity be carried out, and the process of which would add very seriously to the embarrassed state of the colony, entailing an increase of the army, and additional expenses. To give a slight idea of the doubts and dissatisfaction this intended measure gave rise to, it may be well to mention that the "Commission charged by the French Chambers to examine into the state of affairs in Algeria, and to propose votes for necessary credits," anxiously called

upon the Minister of War to confirm or deny this report. The Minister thereupon confessed that such an expedition was in a state of preparation, softening it down, however, by the assurance, "qu'elle n'aurait qu'un caractère pacifique," but laying before them at the same time letters from the "White-headed warrior" (as the Arabs call the Marshal Bugeaud) rather tending to shake the fulfilment of this prophetic assurance, symptoms of regret being therein expressed that force of arms was not to be resorted to more than was absolutely necessary; "la soumission des indigènes n'etant jamais certaine jusqu'à ce que la poudre eût parlé.”

Upon the measure being officially announced, the before-named Commission immediately laid before the Government their formal declaration that they considered it impolitic and dangerous for the welfare of the colony. The only notice vouchsafed to this declaration was a letter received by them through the Minister of War the 11th of April last (1847), wherein the Commission was severely rebuked for deliberating upon the question at all, it being "une question qui rentre exclusivement dans les attributions de la prérogative royale; " and the communication was therefore refused to be received by the Government. Whether the proceedings of the Commission were unconsti