Of his personal appearance one of his most intimate friends gives us the following sketch :

"He was under the middle height; and his lower limbs were small in comparison with the upper, but neat and well-turned. His shoulders were very broad for his size; he had a face in which energy and sensibility were remarkably mixed up an eager power checked and made patient by ill-health. Every feature was at once strongly cut, and delicately alive. If there was any faulty expression, it was in the mouth, which was not without something of a character of pugnacity. The face was rather long than otherwise; the upper lip projected a little over the under; the chin was bold, the cheeks sunken; the eyes mellow and glowing-large, dark, and sensitive. At the recital of a noble action, or a beautiful thought, they would suffuse with tears, and his mouth trembled. In this, there was ill-health as well as imagination, for he did not like these betrayals of emotion: and he had great personal, as well as moral courage. His hair, of a brown colour, was fine, and hung in natural ringlets.*"

On closing these poems our feeling is, that we have seldom found in the same space such abundant beauty,

*

united with so many minor defects. Had Keats lived and enjoyed health, both of body and mind, he would have risen, without question, to the highest poetical fame. His imagination would have been chastened, his judgment would have come under better control, his fancy, which he followed almost to wildness, would have been pruned down; he would have sought more correct canons of taste to write by (as in fact he was doing when death came upon him); in one word, his powers would have received all that they wanted-maturity. Still, taking his compositions as they lie before us, there are few things which have given us so much delight as the episode of Glaucus in the third book of "Endymion," "Hyperion," that glorious fragment, and some of the minor poems which we have before either quoted or alluded to.

Leigh Hunt ventures to anticipate for his friend the emphatic title of the young poet. We do not know how this can be conceded, when we call to mind one who lived to see but eighteen summers, and immortalized himself before their conclusion-the unfortunate Chatterton.

ABD-EL-KADAR (Abi-sidi-el-Adi-Mahommed, Ben-Sidi-Mahhi-el-Din) was born in 1808, at La Zayouat, commonly called Si-Moustapha-el-Mokhetar. Sidi-Mahhi-el-Din, his father, was a renowned and highly-revered Marabout, of the province of Oran, living as a dervish on the alms and donations of the faithful Osmanlis, who flocked from all parts of Africa, and even of Asia, to his residence, drawn thither by the fame of his piety. Such was his influence, that in cases of private dissensions he was frequently chosen to settle the affair, and a word from him was sufficient to arrest any prosecution or oppression of the Bey. What, however, must seem an anomaly to the English reader, although familiar to the Italian,* he enjoyed the strange privilege of sheltering in his house both criminals and fraudulent debtors. The superstitious veneration of the Osmanlis towards Mahhi-elDin went so far as to attribute to him several miracles, and especially the somewhat unusual one of multiplying in the pockets of his visitors the money which they carried with them. It was, in fact, to these impostures that the shrewd Marabout owed his immense private wealth and public influence, which, in the course of time, rendered his elevation to the throne of easy attainment.

Mulay-Ali, nephew of the emperor of Morocco, having in 1831 abandoned the Beylick of Oran, in order to avoid coming in contact with the French army; Mahhi-el-Din, being considered by his countrymen the man most capable of protecting and maintaining their national independence, was unanimously elected Bey of Mascara. He did not, however, continue long in the enjoyment of his well-deserved elevation, being treacherously poisoned by Ben-Nouna, the chief of the Moorish party at Tlemecen, who dreaded his influence and popularity.

Sidi-Mahhi left two sons as his heirs. Sidi-Mahommed, the eldest, being very pious, and wholly devoted to the contemplation of religious subjects, caring but little moreover for worldly affairs and honours, voluntarily renounced his rights to Abd-el-Kader, his younger brother, who, although only in his twenty-first year, was endowed with a very different character, and had already manifested such activity of mind and so great a desire for fame, and had attained such a reputation, that, even so early as 1826, when he visited, as a pilgrim, the tomb of Mahommed, the Marabouts of Mecca openly told him—thou shalt reign. This prediction was never forgotten by Abd-el-Kader, and confidently expecting its accomplishment, he continually prepared himself for such an event. Under the tuition of his father he acquired a perfect knowledge of the Koran, and all that regards the religion and traditions of his country, and in consequence of his learning and erudition, he had deservingly obtained, at the age of twenty, the title of Thaleb (learned), and, a year after, through his exemplary and inoffensive conduct, that of Marabout (signifying saint). By these means he contrived in his youth to win the affections of his countrymen, and to acquire an influence and popularity beyond all his contemporaries. In order to pave his way to the prophesied throne, he applied himself with great assiduity to all warlike exercises, and to the training, drilling, and managing the most fiery Arabian horses. Thus, the unexpected and sudden demise of his father, found him prepared to assume his authority and honours. Nevertheless when he made his public entry into Mascara, accompanied only by a few Arabs, whose appearance and accoutrements bespoke neither luxury nor greatness,

his government was at first considered both precarious and powerless.

However, Abd-el-Kader soon gave proofs of his skill, courage, and activity, having marched against the city of Tlemecen, whose population was then divided into two parties, that of the Moors, headed by Ben-Nouna, and that of the Conlanghis (or descendants of the Turks), under the control of Ben- Aouna-Bourshli. BenNouna he caused to be removed by poison, and Ben-Aouna by transportation; he then proceeded to form a mixed administration there, which soon appeased the rivalry of the two factions. From Tlemecen he went afterwards at the head of his army to besiege Mostagenem, from which, however, having been well defended by Ibrahim-Mouhir, the Turkish Bey, he was compelled to retreat; but, to repair this defeat, he took by assault the city of Arzew, and ordered its commander, SidiAhmet, who had been arrested, fighting at the head of the Kabailes, to be beheaded, having first had his eyes put out and his limbs broken.

Having established his partizans at Arzew, and levied heavy contributions in the province of Titari, both in money and provisions, the victorious Emir returned in triumph to Mascara, where he was received with enthusiasm by his subjects. There, in his wretched residence of brick and mud, served only by a few negro slaves, and dressed as simply as the meanest of his countrymen, Abd-el-Kader began seriously to think of the possibility of restoring the empire of the Arabs, and their independence, by laying the foundation of a regular administration. The establishment of the French on the coast of Northern Africa, instead of intimidating his aspiring mind, greatly stimulated his natural energy, and augmented his desire of realizing his bold and patriotic enterprise, which was, by uniting under his standard all the inhabitants of Mount Atlas, and of the beautiful valleys situated at its foot, to form a kingdom of sufficient strength for national independence.

With these objects in view, Abd-elKader did all in his power to obtain popularity with his new subjects, by inspiring them with respect for his military talents, and with abhorrence

for a foreign yoke. Until 1833 he took no part in the warfare that raged between his countrymen and the French; but, when the latter, abandoning the coast, undertook the conquest of Arzew, Abd-el-Kader prepared to meet them, and when they advanced upon the Beylicks of Mediah and Tlemecen, he opposed them so vigourously, and with such success, that they were compelled to retreat.

General Boyer, who was then commander-in-chief at Oran, being informed by the Jews, his agents, that Abd-el-Kader was the only man capable of opposing serious obstacles to the establishment of the French in Africa, opened friendly negotiations with him. The chief received, with great caution and politeness the Turkish and Jewish envoys, sent to him on the part of the general, rejected none of their proposals, but, amusing the agents with specious promises and protestations, declined subscribing any document.

General Desmichels having succeeded General Boyer in command, adopted a totally different policy from his predecessor, and having determined on conquering the tribes by brute force, he attacked the Arabs, under the command of Abd-el-Kader, on several occasions, but without any signal success, being obliged to fight in a country almost wholly unknown to his troops, intersected by watercourses and impracticable muddy passes, so that at every step his resources were greatly endangered. During his retreat towards Oran, Gen. Desmichels tried in vain to force Abdel-Kader to accept battle, while the Arabian chief, at the head of his cavalry, hovered around the French army, harassing them incessantly, and massacreing all stragglers who were separated from the main body. At last, Abd-el-Kader, having succeeded in surrounding a corps of infantry under the command of Colonel Duberail, forced them to seek shelter in Arzew, which was immediately invested by the Arabs. After several attempts to bring on a battle, Abd-el-Kader, on the 8th of October, 1833, sent Colonel Duberail the following note:

"Praise to Mahommed!-The chief of the Moors, Sidi-el-Adi-MahommedAbi-Abd-el- Kader - Sidi-Mahhi-el-Din,

to the French chief. Health to the unbelievers! As you have not fulfilled the conditions of your treaties, and as you did not come out yesterday to fight with us, let us know your determination. We inform you, on our part, that our troops surround Arzew on every side, and are ready to mount upon its bastions. We have several times beaten our drums to show you that we wish to fight. If you seek after your safety and welfare leave our country; otherwise, I shall oppose you for ever. I will unite under the national standard the inhabitants of the east and of the west, and I will wage a continual war against you. Our God will assist us in expelling you. Lay down your flag, and I will withdraw so as to let you depart. Do not rely on the counsel of your guides, because they will be your ruin."*

On the following day the French accepted this challenge, attacked Abdel-Kader, and being well supported by artillery, military experience overcame undisciplined valour, and the besiegers were repulsed after an obstinate and destructive combat; the French were, however, soon after compelled to reenter the town, without having gained an inch of territory, or any important advantage over the Arabs.

The French government seeing the alarming position of their African possessions, and taking into consideration the enormous expenditure yearly entailed upon France to retain the conquest, devised the plan of sending to Africa a civil and military commission of experienced and prudent men, empowered to propose and adopt any means which they should think the most proper to insure the future welfare of the colony.

These commissioners, after having consulted with the chief Turks and native allies of France, with regard to the state of the hostile tribes inhabiting the Atlas and its neighbourhood, and having obtained, through the Jews, information of the financial and military resources of the Arabs, unanimously declared themselves in favour of a system of conciliation and friendly intercourse, and advised the civil and military authorities to try the xperiment.

General Desmichels, concurring with he advice of the commissioners,

adopted their suggestion; but unfortunately the French passed too suddenly from one extreme to another, and those with whom they had hitherto treated only by means of the sword were soon transformed into allies, and became the object of their confidence and generosity. Abd-elKader, according to his custom, received the envoys of General Desmichels with great marks of politeness, and, after the preliminary negotiations were settled, a treaty was concluded by which the governor of Oran The recognised his independence.

river Chetif, which has its source in the interior of the province of Titary, and which, after traversing the lake Titary, turning to the left, discharges its waters into the Mediterranean, became the boundary of his possessions, comprising the whole of the fertile country lying between the empire of Morocco and the provinces of Oran, Titary, and Algiers. The emir of Mascara obtained also great commercial advantages, and a supply of arms and ammunition, on his promising to make use of them only against the enemies of France.

During the numerous skirmishes which he had already had with the French, Abd-el-Kader having remarked the great superiority which military discipline and tactics imparted to their soldiers, he was not slow to avail himself of the advantage, and, therefore, he formed a corps of infantry, and had them drilled by French officers, in order that they might learn how to use the bayonet. Thus behind the small river assigned to him as a limit to his territory, the young emir of Mascara was spreading military organization amongst his subjects, and preparing the means once more of asserting the independence of his native country; and as soon as he thought that he had a chance against the conquerors of Algiers, several corps of his army were allowed to commit depredations on the province of Oran.

General Voriol, who had succeeded General Desmichels, being informed of the incursions of the Arabs, signified to Abd-el-Kader, that if such infractions of the treaty did not cease immediately, he should treat

him as an enemy. General d'Erlon, governor of Algiers, also addressed the emir an equally strong letter on the subject, and even threatened to depose him but the brave and politic chief having appointed BenDran as his agent and plenipotentiary, despatched him to Algiers to negotiate with General d'Erlon.

:

Ben-Dran was a Jew, of a fine and imposing countenance, polite in his manners, graceful and lively in his conversation; and, above all, endowed with all those deceitful qualifications which are the essential and honourable requisites of a good diplomatist. Such a goodly personage soon won the confidence and esteem of the French governor; and perceiving that, for want of military resources, the French were then unable to attempt any thing decisive against his master, he advised him to keep his troops in readiness, and to seize the first favourable opportunity of invading the French possessions.

About that period a sheriff of the Sahara, called Monça, secretly stimulated and encouraged by Jewish-French emissaries, entered with his army into the province of Titary, and having taken possession of Mediah, sent from thence his agents to Miliana, exhorting its inhabitants to join his standard, in order to shake off the yoke of Abd-elKader. The emir, being informed of what had happened, crossed the Chetif at the head of his cavalry, and passing like a thunder-bolt through the province of Titary, entered in triumph into Mediah, and having expelled the French Bey, appointed in his stead one of his own faithful friends, and began to organize his new conquest according to his plans and interests.

General Trezel, then commanderin-chief at Oran, remonstrated against so open an infraction of the treaty concluded between the French and Abd-el-Kader, and demanded an explanation of the emir's conduct, but this was utterly disregarded. General d'Erlon, unable to employ military coercion, engaged Abd-el-Kader, through Ben-Dran to address letters of submission to both the governors of Algiers and Oran; and an officer of the staff, accompanied by BenDran, was despatched to him to obtain this. They found the emir at the Hallouan, near Belida, occupied in

the settlement and organization of his new province. The French envoy having presented to the emir, on the part of General d'Erlon, several precious French curiosities, was well received, and obtained the object of his mission ; but at the same time, in reward of his apparent submission, Abd-el-Kader was acknowledged the conqueror and rightful possessor of a new province.

Two months after this renewal of friendly intercourse, Abd-el-Kader being informed that the chiefs of the tribes of the Drouers, and of the Zmalas, were secretly intriguing with the French, and trading with them to his disadvantage, ordered the apprehension of Ismael, one of them. These tribes appealed to General Trezel for protection, who, leaving Oran with his army, directed his course towards Tlemecen, and pitched his camp at Misserghim. From thence he apprized General d'Erlon of the cause and object of his movements, and demanded his approval, and immediate assistance.

Having waited in vain several days for an answer, Trezel considered it his duty to advance, and having reached Threlet, on the road to Mascara, on the 24th June, 1834, he there pitched, and fortified his camp. The next day he sent his favourite Jew, MardokaiAmar, with two officers of his staff, to endeavour to settle with Abd-elKader by peaceable means; but not having succeeded, on the 26th the French advanced towards the Lirig, and while they were marching over a narrow passage near Muley-Ismael, they were suddenly attacked by the Arabs, under the command of the emir; after an obstinate and destructive combat, the Arabs were routed, and the French having passed the Sig, took possession of the camp of Abd-el-Kader. This victory, however, not only cost the French great loss of life, but proved to them, that the emir of Mascara, whom they had hitherto considered as a savage chief, had already made rapid progress in the art of war; since, for the first time, he had commanded his infantry in person, and had fought with skill and effect.

Proud of his success, General Trezel on the 28th demanded of Abd-el-Kader an acknowledgment of the supremacy