128 Geographical Collections. 



Algiers.— The town of Algiers, built in an amphitheatre, forms a triangle. 

 One of the angles is bathed by the sea; the two others elongate themselves on a 

 gradual slope, forming a point, at the extremity of which is built the new palace 

 of the dey, called la Casba. 



The town is defended by a fort, called the Fort of the Emperor ; that of the 

 Star, marked on most maps, does not exist at the present day. 



The gardens of the Dutch and Swedish consuls overlook the fort, and the for- 

 tifications on the land side are very imperfect : the ramparts are often intersected 

 by habitations. The ditches of the town are always dry, and on account of their 

 rapid slope, cannot, it is stated, be inundated. 



The town has three gates : Babalouet to the west, the New Gate to the south, 

 and Babazon to the east. 



Its water is derived from an exposed aqueduct, originating about a mile and a 

 half from the town. 



The garrison consists of 4000 Turks, and 2000 more are distributed over the 

 different posts of the regency. Crowds of Arabs would, independently of these, 

 dispute the debarkation of foreign troops. 



The OTtillery consists of 800 field-pieces on the side facing the sea, and from 

 100 to 120 on that facing the land. 



The French papers talk currently of making this town a Christian port on the 

 Mediterranean. According to some, this is to be accomplished by re-establishing 

 at Algiers the order of Malta, under the title of Knights of the Mediterranean. A 

 hundred young gentleman, it is stated, have equipped themselves for this chival- 

 rous service. According to another statement, the Duke of Chartres is to accom- 

 pany the Dauphin to Toulon, and to embark thence for Algiers, which, with 

 Tunis and Tripoli, he is to govern in quality of sovereign. We suspect that 

 there is no truth in either of these statements. It is certain though, that several 

 engineer geographers, (Capt. Filhon, Messrs. Levret, Olivier, and Rozet,) are 

 employed to make the geodesical and astronomical observations necessary for 

 the accurate topography of the country. They will continue the great meridian 

 carried by Biot and Arago to the island of Formentara, and the geological and 

 statistical inquiries wiU afterwards be carried on with much anticipated success. 



Death of Mr. de Rossel, — The loss of this learned geographer has been deep- 

 ly and sincerely felt on the Continent, where the science, and all who devote 

 themselves to it, are held in such high esteem. Mr. de Rossel entered the navy 

 at a very early age, and gained much credit in the war of 1781 and 1782. 

 Under the patronage of General d'Entrecasteaux, he shortly afterwards went with 

 him in the research of La Perouse. He had the good luck to preserve the mate- 

 rials of that expedition on an enemy's land, and to restore them to France. 



He was, after the publication of that voyage, appointed to fill an important si- 

 tuation in the depot of the navy. He co-operated with energy and success with 

 the Academy of Sciences and the Board of Longitude, and from that period his 

 writings began to influence the progress of the art of navigation, and of nautical 

 astronomy. 



Mr. de Rossel was one of the founders of the Geographical Society. He lived 

 entirely for science ; and perhaps his devotion, which knew no bounds, contri- 

 buted to his premature death. 



Dr. Siehold We learn that Dr. Siebold, celebrated for his labours on Japa- 

 nese literature and science, has unfortunately excited the suspicions of the Japan 

 government. An astronomer of Jeddo, capital of Japan, had given him nume- 

 rous maps of the country. The magistrates of Vangasatri, one of the five impe- 

 rial cities, caused him to be arrested and all his papers seized, which were exa- 

 mined with the greatest care. It is expected, however, that they will allow of his 

 return to Europe. 



