THE ALGERIAN SAHARA. 23 
about 250 miles, which I preferred to travelling over land. 
It was aclear day and a calm sea, and we coasted along 
near enough to observe the verdant hills, in some places 
sparsely covered, in others clothed with rich foliage. I 
stood on deck watching some Manx Shearwaters, until the 
blue bay of Algiers came in sight, and we cast anchor at a 
short distance from the boulevards, constructed for the 
French government by Sir Morton Peto. Algiers is one of 
those places which have been so much written about, that 
nothing more remains to be said. Piesse’s “Itinéraire de 
l'Algerie,” and Bernard’s “Indicateur de l’Algerie,” give a 
sufficiently good account of it, and to them I refer the 
reader. An astonishing number of English make it their 
winter quarters, the climate being recommended in cases of 
consumption and lung disease; and some of them hire 
houses, and have delightful gardens, in the suburb of 
Mustapha. The Moorish part of the town is highly interest- 
ing, while the French part can boast of capital hotels (the 
Hotel d’Orient is perhaps the best,) and a great number 
of first-class shops. There is very good society, and plenty 
to see in the neighbourhood for those who do not go further 
into the interior. 
I copy the following extracts from some correspondence 
in the “ Fzedd,” which may be of use to anyone intending to 
go there. 
“ Houses can be obtained in the suburbs at 420 to £40 per 
month furnished, and the owners let them generally only for the 
season of six months, and not for a less period. English furniture 
would be useless here, or at any rate quite incongruous. The 
houses, moreover, are let furnished. There are no dependable 
house agents. It isa good plan to come here early, perhaps in 
the beginning of October, and stop at an hotel until a selection of 
a house can be made. There are doctors of all nations in the 
season. Horses can be bought at all prices, from £48 to £120. 
The best horses that can be bought (for the Arabs will not sell 
