ALGERIA.

[FRANCE.]

TOULON.

Alexandria, in Egypt, stopping at Messi- quered. Great improvements have been na and Palermo; one line to Naples, stop-made since that time; roads have been ping only at Civita Vecchia; a line to constructed, schools established, swamps Naples, stopping at Genoa, Leghorn, and drained, and, some progress has been made Civita Vecchia; also a line to Algiers. in agriculture. The company employ nearly sixty steamers, and the time is so admirably arranged that they all connect at different points. They also have a line from Alexandria, Egypt, to Constantinople, stopping at Jaffa, Beyrout, Tripoli, Alexandretta, Rhodes, and Smyrna. These are decidedly the best boats, and their table d'hôte is excellent. The Company publish a small book, giving the names of the different boats, their time of starting, and fares from all the different points, which is of incalculable benefit to the traveler; they may be obtained gratis at the Company's office in Paris or Marseilles. As the fare and time of sailing are changeable, it is bad policy to insert any time in a work of this description. The author was once kept waiting in Marseilles three days on account of following implicitly an English guide-book. Travelers to Spain, not wishing to return to Paris, generally take steamers from Marseilles. They leave here weekly for Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, and Algiers.

Algiers, the capital of the province, is situated on the Mediterranean coast, and its streets, rising one above another on the side of a steep hill, present a very pretty view at a little distance from the shore. There is no such difficulty in landing as may be experienced in other Eastern cities, and one recognizes with pleasure the effect of French discipline. The Hôtel d'Orient and the Hôtel de Régence are among the best. Algiers has been for the last few years a great resort for invalids, its climate being superior to that of the south of France or of Italy. The cost of living is also less, and the comforts quite as good.

ALGERIA.

The province of Algeria extends along the Mediterranean coast for about 600 miles, and contains over 100,000 square miles of territory. It is divided geographically into three portions-the sea-coast, the Atlas or mountainous district, and the koblah, or pasture-grounds bordering on the desert. The two former divisions are the most valuable portions of the territory; the soil is fertile, and the climate delightful. Oranges, pomegranates, and lemons grow in abundance, and experiments made with cotton, tobacco, and sugar-cane have met with great success. The mineral reSources of the country are also good; zinc, iron, copper, and lead are the most abundant.

The native inhabitants are chiefly Arabs and Moors, and exceed 2,000,000 in number. This country was invaded by the French in 1830, when Algiers, the capital of the province, was taken; but it was not until 1847, after the surrender of the famous Abdel-Kader, that the entire territory was con

The city is fast changing its Moorish aspect and assuming the appearance of a French town, and, though thus losing a great deal that is picturesque, it gains in health and cleanliness.

The colony of Algiers is divided into three provinces, Algiers, Oran, and Constantine, with capitals of the same name. The boundaries of the colony are, the Mediterranean on the north, the Desert of Sahara on the south, Tunis on the east, and Morocco on the west. Steamers sail weekly from Marseilles.

From Marseilles to Nice, distance 155 miles; time, 6 h. 40 m.; fare, 27 fr. 70 c.

Toulon is the great naval arsenal of France on the Mediterranean, and second only to Brest in the empire. It contains about 77,126 inhabitants. Principal hotel, Grand Hôtel, a large, first-class, elegant establishment, situated on its own beautiful grounds, admirably conducted by M. Monticone, also proprietor of the Hôtel Plat d'Or at Trouville. It is strongly fortified, defended by a double line of bastioned fortifications, and strengthened by forts on the adjacent heights. The French consider it impregnable. Around the harbor are magazines and arsenals, ship-building docks, rope and sail works. Toulon was originally a Roman colony; it was taken by the Constable of Bourbon in 1524, and by Charles V. in 1536. It was also taken by an English expedition in August, 1793, commanded by Sir Sidney Smith; but the

5000 British troops being inadequate to
garrison so vast an extent of works, and
the important pass of Ollioules-the only
approach to the city on the west-being
left unguarded, it was entered by 50,000
mad Republicans, reeking with the gore of
the inhabitants of Marseilles and Lyons.
Enraged that a place of so much import-
ance should have been given up to the en-
emy, they massacred all who came in their
way, friends or enemies. Two hundred
of their friends, the Jacobins, who had gone
out to meet them, shared the same fate.
Six thousand unfortunate victims were
murdered by order of the Committee of
Public Safety, of which Robespierre was
at the head, notwithstanding the French
general Dugommier, and Bonaparte, who
was acting under him as lieutenant, pro-
tested loudly against this wholesale mas-
sacre. Fifteen thousand of the inhabit-
ants took advantage of the English fleet,
embarking thereon. Here, at Toulon,
young Bonaparte, for the first time in
command, had an opportunity of display-
ing his vast military genius in planning
and directing the batteries on the heights
of Brégaillon, Evesca, and Lambert, which
positions commanded all the forts held by
the enemy.
A few days after they opened
their fire the British and Spanish fleets were
standing out to sca. In 1707 the English
and Dutch fleets, and an Austrian and Sar-
dinian army, bombarded the city, but were
compelled to retire. The Musée de la Ma-
rine and the Botanical Garden-the last is
outside the town-are well worth a visit.

NICE.

Continuing from Hyères on our route to Nice, we reach the town of

Fréjus, which occupies the site of the Forum Julii, founded by Augustus. This town contains numerous and interesting Roman remains, chief among which are those of an aqueduct, which has been traced up the valley of the Siagnolle for more than 25 miles; the piers and arches are in many places entirely unimpaired by time. Passing St. Raphael, whence Napoleon I. embarked for Elba in 1814, we soon reach

Cannes, a town delightfully situated on a bay of the same name, one hour by rail from Nice. Principal hotels, Hôtel Beau Site (lovely position and finely managed) and Hotel Pavillon, finely situated in the west of the town; large garden, baths, salons, and every comfort; finely managed by M. Ellmer, for many years director of the Baur au Lac, Zurich. Cannes is noted for the salubrity of its atmosphere, and is a favorite winter resort for many who are in delicate health, as also for those who dislike the cold endured in a more northern climate. In the summer the sea-bathing is very agreeable, beginning as early as April and lasting until the end of October. The church of Notre Dame de l'Espérance is situ ated on the Mont Chevalier, at the base of which the old town lies. It is greatly revered by sailors, and is well filled with their votive offerings. The ruins of an old square tower, erected in 1070 by the Abbot of Lérins, adjoin the church. The scenery in and around Cannes is delightful, and numerous excursions may be made, in carHyères is seven miles from Toulon. Ho- riages or on foot. Voitures de place are statel, Des Ambassadeurs. Hyères is one of the tioned on the Cours de la Marine and in warmest, most sheltered, and popular win- the Rue Fréjus; prices fixed by a tariff. ter residences in the south of France. It is situated three miles from the sea, and is surrounded by lovely orange-gardens, while the olive, vine, and palm-tree flourish in abundance. Every comfort necessary for the invalid may be found here. The Casino contains a club, news-rooms, assembly-rooms, and library, with elegant saloons for balls and reunions. The excursions are numerous; horses and donkeys cheap, the latter only two franes per day. There are several Roman ruins in the vicinity-the city of Pomponia, the fountain of St. Salvador, etc.; while the lovely villas peeping through the immense pine forests produce a most beautiful effect.

Nice, which in the Greek means victory, is beautifully situated on the Mediterranean, with a fine southern aspect, protected from the chilling winds of the North by a spur of the Alps, which rises behind it like a gigantic amphitheatre. Since its annexation to France it has rapidly improved in population. The principal hotels are the Hôtel de la Paix, Hôtel d'Angleterre, Hôtel de France, Hôtel de la Mediterranée, and Hôtel de Nice. France, admirably conducted by Mr. Zundel, is beautifully situated on the Quai Massena, near the Promenade Anglais, commanding a fine view of the sea. It contains reception, smoking, and reading

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