ABD-EL-KADER. 239 



tribes inhabiting Tunis, and more especially to their 

 ulemas, sheiks, and religious and military chiefs. 



" Salutation to you, with the mercy and blessing of 

 God! 



" While forming my wishes for your prosperity, 

 and wishing you well in all that concerns the welfare 

 of the body and soul, I take it as my bounden duty to 

 give you the following counsel. 



" The French Company which formed the project 

 of piercing the Isthmus of Gabes, and concerning 

 which I have already spoken to you, has now deter- 

 mined to put the work into execution, and to pay a 

 visit to your neighbourhood. It is to be hoped, nay, 

 it is your bounden duty, to see that these strangers 

 meet with from you a most favourable welcome, 

 generosity, encouragement, and assistance, both by 

 word and deed. 



u Do not lend the ear to those who erroneously 

 imagine that the piercing of the Isthmus of Gabes 

 is contrary to the interests of the country and of 

 its inhabitants. These are false conjectures, and 

 those who believe in them are ignorant people. More- 

 over, if it be God's will that this enterprise should be 

 carried out it will be, however little it may be 

 expected. 



" It was thus that God permitted the piercing of 

 the Isthmus of Suez, the benefits of which are now 

 being reaped by humanity. 



"In short, this French Company, the object of 



