ARTESIAN WELLS AND THE GREAT SAHARA. 539 



tion sent out by the German African Society. Last January he was 

 two hundred and fifty miles south of Tripoli, at the foot of the Black 

 Mountains ; recent advices show him to be at Benghazi, on the eastern 

 shore of the Gulf of Sidra. Accounts of the expedition have not yet 

 come to hand. 



In the event of an increase in the commercial importance of Xorth- 

 ern Africa, whether by inland seas, artesian wells, or railroads, or all 

 three, means of transportation to and along the seaboard and thence to 

 foreign ports will not be lacking. As early as 1857 a railway system 

 was decided upon for Algeria, which included a shore-line, ^dth branches 

 inland to various points. The construction of this network is jiracti- 

 cally completed. On the 1st of January, 1879, there were three hun- 

 dred and thirty miles of railroad in that colony. A line has also been 

 started to connect Constantine with the city of Tunis, the bondholders 

 being guaranteed six per cent, interest by the French Government. 

 This will probably be completed in a year. In Morocco the develop- 

 ment of roads is not great : we can not expect very much anyhow 

 from that sultantate, as present laws forbid the exportation of cereals, 

 for fear of a recurrence of the famine. In the province of Tripoli but 

 little is needed now ; when the time comes it will be easy work to build 

 a railroad in so flat a country. 



In the matter of ports, Algeria points with pardonable pride to Al- 

 giers, Oran, Arzeu, Philippeville, Bona, and several minor harbors 

 that have been made secure by artificial works. The first mentioned 

 was begun in 1530 by Bab Aroudj {Anglice Barbarossa) and his Chris- 

 tian slaves, and finished by Christians guiding the labor of that pirate's 

 descendants. Tunis boasts of a magnificent lake at Bizerta, close to 

 the sea ; a little dredging in the short, narrow channel leading out 

 would transform it into an unparalleled harbor for ironclads, of which 

 both Germany and Italy are said to be particularly well aware. In 

 Tunis Bay a single inexpensive breakwater, built in only six fathoms 

 depth, would afford perfect shelter. Farther south and east, Sphax 

 roadstead only wants ships to fill it, and Surkennis only the Bey's or- 

 der to welcome foreign vessels to which it is now closed. In the prov- 

 ince of Tripoli may be mentioned Tripoli Port, Menelaus Bay in the 

 Gulf of Bombah, Marsa Euharit, Marsa Tebruk, all good natural har- 

 bors, or needing but insignificant works to render them secure. In 

 Egypt it is unnecessary to mention the splendid port of Alexandria. 



The French are the pioneers in the northern part of the African 

 Continent, and it would seem desirable for them to extend their sway 

 to the eastward of Cape Roux. That, however, would cause diplomatic 

 complications : England, Germany, and Italy would surely protest 

 against any projects of annexation. But there is still scope for them 

 in the desert. The nomadic tribes will hardly stop the southward 

 course of empire when French industry and capital fan the breeze of 

 progress. 



