of the Old World. 475 



which we killed heavy bags. Nothing more was 

 heard about the lions, and, although we daily took 

 long walks in the most likely places, we saw no fresh 

 tracks. 



Wednesday, 10th March. Had a consultation as 

 to our future proceedings, at which it was determined 

 to start at once for Constantine, and from thence 

 towards the southward, vid Melila, Bathna, and 

 Biscara, should the weather permit. Engaged a 

 diligence, said to be capable of containing twenty- 

 three passengers, for our party, and made arrange- 

 ments to start at 6 A.M. on Friday morning. Visited 

 the Circle des Officeurs, an establishment of recent 

 date, most delightfully situated on the crest of a hill 

 overlooking the sea, containing a reading-room well 

 supplied with French newspapers and periodicals, a 

 tolerably well-stocked library, and a Buvette, where 

 ecarte, piquet, and whist, well moistened with ver- 

 muth and absinth, seemed to be the order of the day. 

 Our party were made honorary members of the esta- 

 blishment, and experienced the greatest hospitality 

 and kindness from the French officers. 



Some Roman antiquities are to be seen in the envi- 

 rons of Philippeville ; the cisterns at Stora are worthy 

 of a visit ; and every now and then one meets with a 

 column or block of marble which bears traces of the 

 sculptor's hand. 



Some short time ago, in excavating the foundation 



