the East and South-east by the lofty mountains of the Kabylie. Towards the North and Northwest the eye embraces the Bay of Algiers; that city itself, and a portion of the "Sahel" or range of hills in the neighbourhood of the city, which shut out the view of the Metidja from the bay. The Maison Carrée is of no strength, being constructed chiefly of wood and plaster, and the malaria arising from the marshes below render it untenable during a great part of the year. Before the reduction of the tribes, however, in the neighbourhood of Algiers, it was held by the French as an important post, and many a brave fellow fell a victim to the demon of its marshes.

About 5 a. m. of the 7th the infantry and baggage were en route, leaving the cavalry, commanded by Colonel Richepanse (son of the celebrated general of the same name), to bring up the rear. During the march a detachment of twenty-five gendarmes rode between the two squadrons,-fine stalwart men, mounted on excellent Arab horses. The cavalry in Africa are indeed all well mounted, and the Chasseurs d'Afrique particularly so, their horses being all of the country, and naturally far better adapted to the climate and the fatigues of an expedition than the French and Sardinian horses with which

some of the troops are supplied. For the Arab horse partakes of the abstemious habits of the Arab himself: a little green-meat or chopped straw, or even a few leaves of the wild artichoke upon an emergency, will sustain his courage for a great length of time, and a ration of barley is a luxury to him: whereas the European horse sighs "for the leeks and onions" of his native land, his "city of delights." He must have his two or three rations a day; he droops beneath the burning sun, the scorching blast of the Sirocco, and the occasional want of water. Oats are almost unknown in Algeria, barley supplying its place, the former being far too heating for the climate. There are at this period five regiments of cavalry in Africa, and twenty-four regiments of infantry, forming, in the whole, an army of 101,779 men. Of the cavalry the Chasseurs d'Afrique are decidedly the élite, being picked men, superiorly mounted and equipped. Their arms are the carbine, sword, and pistols, and the uniform and accoutrements of both officers and men neat, simple, and well adapted to the service. No portion of the African army has distinguished itself more, or been so continually on service, as this cavalry. The mean price given by the "remonte" for cavalry horses is stated to be about 425 francs (about 177.)

per head at this time. In 1830 the price given was about 280 francs. This increased value of horses may be ascribed to the devastation of the country by war, and to the rapid decrease and retirement of those who bred them; though this effect has been somewhat neutralized by vast importations from France and Tunis. The French have established "haras" (or establishments for breeding and improving the race of horses) here and there in Algeria; but, as yet, little benefit has been derived from them.

But to return to the advancing column. As we traversed the wide Metidja (at this hour looking like a vast lake, from the white mist rising from its death-fraught swamps), here cultivated with corn, and there stretching out in wide expanses of brushwood and coarse grass, or vast marshes producing forests of lofty reeds, a fine covert for the wild boar and the panther, the stillness of the morning was agreeably broken by the music of fourteen trumpeters, who preceded our squadron, playing ever and anon warlike airs suited to the occasion and their auditors. Then, as the fair-sounding tones died off, did the gay troopers burst forth into one wild chorus with the merry songs of "La belle France." All was hilarity and enthusiasm. "Ah, my lads," thought I, "some of you will be sleeping your last

sleep amidst yon snow-clad mountains, and some of you will be singing rather out of tune as you are undergoing the process of being roasted before a Kabyle fire hazard de la guerre!"

We

About after 10 a. m. the column arrived upon a spot on the plain of the Metidja called the "Arba." Here is held once a week one of the greatest markets of the plain, and much frequented by Arabs who bring horses, cattle, &c. The province of Constantine is however more productive of horse-flesh and ass-flesh than the other provinces ; for it appears that in the last "trimestre" of 1845, 8279 horses, mules, and asses came to the Constantine markets, whereas to those of Algiers came only 5023, and to those of Oran 2341. halted at the Arba to await the arrival of the Marshal (who was to join the column here), and some troops from the town of Blidâ, a few leagues South-east of which we now were. Eating our breakfast also was one object of the halt, and an object far more interesting to the majority of us than the former. Tents were now hastily pitched, or thrown over the brushwood, to shield the officers from the sun, and porridge-pots were quickly placed over the fires; a goodly steam of coffee-soup made thick with bread scenting the air. Of this peculiar potage the French soldiers are amazingly fond.

The Arba is a pleasant spot. I had often

been there before upon shooting excursions. Delightful groves of orange, lemon, and pomegranate, with massive clumps of lentisk and wild olive, adorn this portion of the plain, and at this time the earth was gay with flowers of every hue, whilst the song of the nightingale was heard on all sides; and, what was better still, our horses were revelling amidst fine herbage. This position is at the foot of Djebel Moussa, one of the inferior heights of the Little Atlas. Numerous streams water the plain in the neighbourhood: the chief of them is the "Oued Arba ;" yet, though clear, the water is not wholesome, being liable to produce diarrhea. During our halt news arrived at the camp that a French family of colonists in the neighbourhood had just been discovered assassinated. A surgeon being dispatched from the column, he found a man, woman, and two children, not quite dead, but fearfully wounded and mutilated by Arab robbers. Further particulars never reached me.

About 3 p. m. the Marshal arrived, and, the troops from Blidâ having already joined, the column was soon once more en route. No sooner did the cavalry begin to move off than numerous Arabs came on the ground to scrape up with infinite care such corn as might have been left by the horses. It was astonishing to see the patience with which these poor wretches