434 THE HUNTING GROUNDS 



several arclies, said to have been built by the 

 Eomans, which connects the town with the beauti- 

 ful olive-covered hill of St Augustin, at the foot of 

 which are several substantially-built country houses 

 and farms, besides a mosque, a small barracks, and 

 a depot for cattle and baggage animals for the use 

 of the French army. 



We landed at six A.M., and, entering the town by 

 a gate which is evidently of French construction — 

 as there are still traces to be seen of the old Moorish 

 one close to, — proceeded to the Customhouse, where 

 our baggage was passed at once without the slightest 

 examination or hindrance. 



We then ascended a rather steep and narrow 

 street, leading to the Grande Place, and took up our 

 abode in the Hotel de France. After breakfast, we 

 left cards on General Perigot, commanding the sub- 

 division of Bone, on M. le Marquis de Gantes, the 

 Sous-Prefet, and Captain Guyon Vernier, Chef du 

 Bureau Arabe, (the heau-id^al of a Light Cavalry 

 officer,) from each of whom we received the greatest 

 kindness and attention. They proffered their ser- 

 vices in any way in which they could assist the 

 party. M. Guyon Vernier provided us with an 

 interpreter and a cook, both very necessary adjuncts 

 to our establishment, and in the afternoon lent us 

 horses, and took us over the town and the adjacent 

 country. Dined at the Hotel de France, which we 

 found to be an establishment needing many reforms, 

 as both the bedrooms and salle d manger are dirty, 



