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    tioner of Algiers , who is a stately man , very rich , and highly esteemed by the Moors . —Some coffee-houses in the upper part of the town present more original and merrier scenes , especially in the neighbourhood of the castle . There is the Greek coffee-house , wlicae owner , a Spezziot , tries to allure his customers by scenes of tte lowest description . The worst folks from among the natives , often mixed up with good-for-nothing Europeans , revel there without difference of race and religion : Mohammedans , Christians , and Jews , Europeans , and Africans . A . French painter sketched this abominable der > , which belongs to the oldest , but , at the same time , to the most revolting pictures of Algerian life . Algiers has as many brilliant French coffee-houses as dull Moorish ones . There is am establishment of this kind in the house Latour du Pin , which may vie with the

    most splendid cafes of Paris . 25 , 000 francs ( 1000 J . ) were wasted on mirrors and ornaments in the large hall alone . Such speculations are natural in a new country , where a wide field for enterprise attracts a disproportionate number of people anxious to make money ; and as there exists hardly an easier and more pleasant trade than that of an inn or coffee-house keeper , many took to this business . But competition soon compelled them to use every means to allure guests , and consequently the speculators soon surpassed one another in the . splendour and costliness of their establishments . Besides , the number of consumers is very considerable here . It is a . young , life-enjoying , and heedless kind of people that immigrates hither from Europe . The tradesmen , who earn a great deal , spend everything ; and constant attendance is secured by the numerous military men , amongst whom there are numbers of rich o » fficers , who receive an ample income from France , and . lead a most extravagant life .

    Long as it is , the following extract will be read with interest , for it is a description by an eye-witness of

    THE INTERVIEW BETWEEN' BUGEAUD AND ABD-EL-KA . DEB . On the 1 st of June , the interview took place between Bugeaud and Abd-el-Kader . It was one of the most interesting episodes of the African war , as i ± -was here that the veteran of the wars of the empire , the courtier , of Louis Philippe , the statesman trained in the debates of-the Chamber , was overreached in diplomacy by the young Aral ) prince , whom the general had defeated on the Sikak . Captain Amede ' Muralt , of Bern , who bad accompanied Bugeaud , and was present at that famous interview , gave me the follOAving narrative of the event :-r" General Bugeaud started at six o ' clock in . the morning witfc his staff from the camp on the Tafna , and proceeded to the place where the interview was to tale piace . EOe was accompanied by six battalions of infantry , his cavalry , and artillery . He wished to receive the ! Emir with all military honours , to have the music sounded , arid the salute fired from all the gunsi Therefore , as soon as they arrived at the place of meeting—a wild spot , with scanty Jtfastich-bushes and dwarf-palms ^ -he placed the

    troops m a most imposing array . It was evidently his intention to impress the imagination of the Arab prince and his followers with the powerful forces of the French , by the greatest amount of military display . Several hours passed in impatient expectat ion , but no trace of the Emir was to be seen . At last an Arab chieftain appeared , the minister of Abd-el-Kader , as it was said , bringing a letter of his ' Sultan' to General Bugeaud . The generel opened it : we crowded with curiosity around him . As soon , as Bugeaud was apprised of the contents by his dragoman , the Syrian Ramsha , his features darkened , and turning to the interpreter ^ he said , ' Tell the minister that I am tired of his subterfuges : I have only half of my army with me , yet I invite his master to come , and to fight us in battle . ' Ramslia and the chieftain galloped speedily away to carry the defying answer to the Emir . Abd-el-Kader had ,

    in his letter , inquired about the prices of the arms and ammunition promised to him . He and the chieftain openly laid the greatest stress on that clause of the treaty . This circumstance alone should have opened the eyes of the French general about the p lans and intentions of the Emir . An enemy who claims arms and powder in a treaty of peace , shows surely that he is not in earnest in his protestations of good will , and that he is preparing already for a breach of the treaty . Bugeaud was loo intelligent not to surmise the consequences of the agreement , but he knew he had engaged himself too deeply , the advantageous season for military operations had passed , and his provisions were scanty . He feared to compromise himself , and dreaded the just attacks of a hostile press in case he should return to Oran without having cither fought or made peace , or attained any result by an expedition so pompously announced . To spare himself a personal vexation he sacrificed all higher considerations ' .

    " Time passed , the sun began to set , and yet no vestige of Abd-el-Kader ! Our dragoman likewise failed to return . ¦ Bugeaud could not conceal his mortification ; the officers grumbled , and I heard one say : ' Abd-el-Kader will not appear at all , and our general receives a good slap . ' Biting remarks were made , and the general , in order not to hear them , and not to see the discontent expressed in all fa « es , lay down on the grass and tried to sleep . Arab messengers came now with laconic words , One said the Sultan' had been umvell , tmd had started late from his camp ; the other assured us that he was coming ; the third , that he was near , but had been detained . Bugeaud received tlicm rudely , had the fronts of his battalions and his cannon shown to them , and sent them back . ' , ' Amongst tlu se present , the most distinguished , not by rank , but both by tnlont and character , was Colonel Combes , a man of the highest principles , enthusiastic for the glory of hia country , but mild , simple , yet imposing in Iris demeanour . The

    ouloncl was republican , and therefore in political opposition to the general ; but Bugeaud had great confidence in him : they had been personal friends , though they seldom agreed in their views . I saw both in eager conversation : Combes called upon Bugeaud not to waste precious time in futile negotiations ; should the provisions not Buffieo for the campaign of forty days which had been planned , still an expedition of eight daya might not bo too much , and would keep the enemy in check . TIio colonel fipokc -with warmth , and deplored the millions wasted hero by France ; every senaiblo inqii could , not but approve hia views . Bugcnud gave vent to his anger and mortification by violent exclamations ; ' What is to become of us ! In a few daya wo havo been reduced to nn inability of making war ! My orders havo not been executed . I would bo the first to fight ; I inn as brave aB you , but wo cannot do it ! If the Emir retires and does not como at all , what Bhall wo do then ? Oh , this warfare in dilUcult 1 ' These warn the wordu of Bngonml ; ) iis vacillation wns iwident . Haid Combos been the commander , the events would have taken a . different turn .

    " At last our dragoman arrived at full wpecd . Abd-el-Kador started with liin nrmy just when ho left him ; ho was to appear in a few minutes . Bu # eaud wan now again in high upiritti . itainMlin , tirod to ( loath , sat down on a stono siml -wrote a few lines , nu additional article to the treaty , dictated to him by the general . But time paused on again , and the iCmir wuh not , yet to be scon . In the dintancc , wo fluw Arab cavalry occupying the heights . It wan five in the evening . The gonurul , who wished to lead his t ro <> i > a buck to tlio camp before night , determined at lout himself to week the Emir . Accompanied by ooino officers , live mounted riflcH , and u few Sp > ahin , ho rode oft" « t a gallop . I followed them with my friund Captain Stilrlor : w > wore altogether about . twenty . The rouwon of Abd-ol-Kndei- ' H tarrying wn » , of uourno , not dintnmt ., but calculations of pride . Before the iront of tho hontilo army ho could not maintain hi * dignity of bulUn , and had to Btiuid on lorinn of equality with tho Fn-ndi general . But ho know tho . character of the French , and reckoned upon the imjiaLionco ' uf bin udvortmry to givo him a . triumph over tho general ,-and heighten tlio respect of tho Arabs for tholr 41 After a rido of nearly an liour on a rough path , wo thought wo saw AM-el-Kudor

    and his horsemen on the slope of a hilL It was a delusion : a few Arabs were there waving their white handkerchiefs . At last Buhamedi appeared , the chief of the Kabyles on the Tafna , and assured the general that the Emir was approaching . Son * Arab horsemen wheeled their horses on our flanks and in our rear ; the retinue began to feel uneasy , and voices were heard— ' General , we expose ourselves too much .: let us halt . ' Bugeaud immediately answered , — ' Gentlemen , it is too late . ' He " right ; prudence would have been too late : we were already surrounded by several groups of horsemen , but their demonstrations had nothing hostile . Buhamedi had remarked the uneasiness of some officers , and said , ' Be tranquil , do not fear . ' * I do not

    know fear , ' retorted the general , ' I am accustomed to fight ; but I find it veiy rude of thy chief to let me wait , and not to hasten to meet me . ' ' There he is , ' said the Kabyle ; ' you shall see him immediately . ' The way bent here round a hill , and we saw the Emir suddenly before us . Abd-el-Kader was seated on a black steed ; at his side , bis negro brass band ; around him , the principal chiefs in rich costume on tlie noblest horses ; and behind him , his army , horsemen and infantry , encamped on the slopes of the mountain in a most picturesque way . " When Bugeaud perceived the Emir , he took a few paces in advance to meet him , and invited him with courteous gesture to do the same . Abd-el-Kader did not pay any attention to him , but gave the spuis to his steed and displayed his horsemanship . The fiery horse made leaps four and five feet high , and again pranced for several minutes , leaning back on its hind-quarters , while its long mane touched the soil , arid its

    snorting was audible . The hundred and fifty or two hundred chicftians behind him , all of th

    u Abd-el-Kader is of small and delicate frame . His forehead is well developed , his mouth rather large , his eye soft . The expression of his features shows devotion and piety , but not without affectation- That day he was clad in the most common garb , a "brown burnus , woven of camel ' s hair . We did not know whom most to admire in this interesting group ; the Emir or his chieftains , with their majestic deportment and rich flowing attire , the interest being yet heightened by the Arab army of eight thousand horsemen ; indeed as many infantry covered all the hills around . Deep silence prevailed , and the conversation began . Ramslia read the treaty . u The first article of the treaty was the recognition of the sovereignty of the King of the French in Africa . ' How so ? ' exclaimed the Emir ; ' shall all the . princes of Africa , Morocco , and Tunis * likewise acknowledge him ?'— - ' What does this concern you ? ' answered Bugeaud . Abd-el-Kader remained silent , and the reading of the articles was continued . Bugeaud claimed hostages as a guarantee of the treaty . ' In that case , * said the Emir , ' I have likewise to claim hostages . The faith aiid the customs of the Arab should suffice you . Every treaty is sacred to me ; I never forfeited my pledge ; the French generals cannot boast of the Same good faith . ' He repeated this once more with emphasis . ' I trust your -word , ' replied the general , ' and pledge myself for your faith to the King of the French : I offer you my friendship . ' "' I accept your friendship ; but let the French beware not to lend their ear to intriguers , ' - was the answer of the Emir . " ' The French are not accustomed to be led by any one . Isolated outrages will not be regarded as a brcacli of the treaty ; but such will be the case if the conditions of tiie treaty nre not strictly held , or if hostilities of importance should be committed . As to isolated crimes , we shall denounce them to one another , and mutually punish tlie guilty ' «\

    . tj ^ UULJ . " ' Well , ' said the Emir , ' the guilty shall not escape punishment . ' " ' I recommend to you the Ktiruglis of Tlemsan for good treatment . ' " ' Be satisfied ; I will treat them like all tho Hadars . ' ( townsfolk . ) " Abd-cl-Kader inquired now about the prices of arms and ammunition . General Bngcaud grew impatient , and said , turning to the interpreter , — ' Mais que cliabla J Te . ll him we are not children ; ho shall have them at army-prices . ' Abd-el-Kudez " seemed to be satisfied . " After a short pause , Bugeaud asked , ' Havo you ordered tho commercial intercourse with our cities to > be restored ?' " ' No ; this will only happen when thou shalt deliver up Tlemsnn . ' " ' You arc aware that I cannot deliver up Tleinaan before my king has ratified th « treaty . ' " ' Then you have no power to treat ?'

    " ' I am authorised to do it , but the treaty must be ratified . It is required for your own sake , since , if tsigned only by me , juy successor might discard it ; but , when ratified by my king , my successor ia likewise bound to keep it . ' " ' If Tlomsan is not delivered to me , I linvc no inducement for any agreement . It ¦ will not bo peace ; only a truce . ' " ' No doubt it may be only a truce , but always only for your advantage . Do you not dread my artillery V What it I destroy and burn down your crops now boforo harvest V "' My artillery , ' answered tlio Kmir , 'ia the huh , which will destroy your army . Burn down our crops if you please : wo shall find wheat elsewhere . Our country ia great , and yo \ ir columns cannot follow us : tho heat and diseases will overpower you . Wherever you appear , wo retront , and you will bo short of provisions . Wo rovers Uud food anywhere : wo shall not fall into your hands . ' " ' I do not think all tho Ar « bs think sis you do , ' mud tho general . ' They long fur pence , and many havo thanked me for having spared their ilcld » . '

    " Abd-cl-Kador laughed contemptuously , and asked what timo it required till tlio ratification might arrive . " ' Three wcok » , ' said tho general . " 4 It in n long 1 time . ' " ' You < lo not loso by it ; it i . i tho timo of haivest , ' replied tlio tfoiionil , " Bcn-ArtiHh approached , un < l mud to Hugeuud , ' Tlireu wwlis in too loiitf ; wo can only wait for ten days or a fortnight . ' " ' Can j'ou command tho « oa V uxi'ljiiineil the ^ rcnoral . '" Well , wo shall uot renew tho commercial intercourse ) until tho ratification « r thy king luis arrived , ' wan the answer . " Uunwhu told inellkowiHc that Iiiigcauwl Maid to tlio Kmir , ' Should you taku iiks prisoner , or kill me , it would bo of no avail ; there arc , besides me , tUourtnnel . i of ( roiiornlH in Franco . ' " After tlio convocation had lasted throo quartom of an hour , Uufpaud romi , whilst tho Umlr without hasdlnK him , roumlnud B » rfllclw « l on th « « r «« H . X ho gonarnl woa startled , and rawing at him , onwtiliijr hbt « mw i U « ui l >« ciu «« ht liU hand , and raised h ^ n with a midden jerk ? Tho limir ttnuk-d grocloubly , ah if thunluag him for a civility .

    Untitled Article

    September 30 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER , 929

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 30, 1854, page 929, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2058/page/17/