268 NORTH- WEST AFRICA. neighbourhood, and especially of the Alsatian colony of Azib-Zamun, officially known as Ilamsonvillers, some 6 miles farther down. Beyond this point the Isser winds through its broad valley to the coast near Cape Jinet, a bold basaltic headland not far from the site of the Roman station of CiHHi. About 4 miles west of the Isser market lies the broad Beni-Aisha Pass, at present occupied by the busy little town of Menerville. At this point the Tizi- Uzu branch effects a junction with the main line of railway between Constantine and Algiers. Algiers. Algiers, capital of the " African France," still bears its Arabic name of El- Jezair, or " the Islets," derived from four reefs now connected with the mainland. It was founded in the tenth century, on the ruins of the Roman Icosium, in the territory of the Beni-Mczghanna tribe, and already in the beginning of the sixteenth century it had become powerful enough to attract the attention of the Spaniards, whose occupation of the place, however, lasted only nineteen years. The pier, constructed by the famous Kheir-ed-Din by connecting the reefs with the mainland, created a sheltered and commodious harbour, which henceforth secured for Algiers the first rank amongst the towns on the exposed Mauritanian coast between Bougie and Mers-le-Kebir. For three centuries it bid defiance to Europe, thanks partly to the pusillanimity of some and the jealousy of others. Eleven times besieged or threatened in vain, it was for the first time compelled to lower tlie crescent to the British fleet under Lord Exmouth in 1816, and was definitely occupied by the French in 1830. At present Algiers holds the foremost position in Africa, not for its population, in which it is second to Cairo and probably also to Tunis, but as a centre for the diffusion of European culture throughout the continent. It is also unrivalled for its picturesque and imposing aspect, presenting a marvellous seaward view which leaves an indelible impression on the memory. Towards the crest of the hill crowned by the citadel is seen all that remains of the old town, which from a distance looks like a quarry of white marble strewn with irregular and rough-hewn blocks. But the native quarter, which formerly descended quite to the sea, now stops half-way, being arrested by the regular masses of European houses, which develop an extensive facade above the quays. South of the Arab town another quarter has sprung up along the slopes, consisting exclusively of modern dwellings, whose grey walls and red roofs contrast everywhere with the deep verdure of the surrounding gardens. Farther on the buildings are again abruptly interrupted by a green zone of grassy ramparts and wooded mounds. But at Mustapha, beyond the enclosures, the city is continued by the new and more open suburbs crowning every height, and affording a pleasant retreat to the English and other visitors who come to pass the winter season in the mild climate of Algiers. The narrow space enclosed between the cliffs and the sea has compelled the rising city to develop itself along the coast-line on both sides of the old town, which down to 1830 was still confined to a triangular space on the hillgide, some
