-"Hermolin, Hermolin save me!" and the proud one knelt at her feet, hiding his face in her garments, pressing her pure hands upon his eyes, as though to shut out the sight of the lure which so nearly led him on to a fearful sin.

Hermolin asked nought, said nought -but she folded her arms round his neck; she knelt beside him, and drew his head to her bosom, as a mother would a beloved and repentant child. Then she whispered softly," Olof, my Olof, come!" and led him away, his hand still clinging for safety and guidance to that faithful one of hers; and his eyes never daring to turn away from that face, which looked on him like an angel's from out of heaven, full of love so holy, so complete, that pardon itself had no place there.

Svenska stood beholding them, and still and fixed as stone, until Olof's form passed from her sight; then she fell to the earth without a cry or sound.

Ulva's breast was soon her pillowUlva who haunted her steps like a shadow. No mother's fondness could have poured out more passionate words over the insensible form; but when the shadow of seeming death left the beautiful face, her manner became again that of distant and reverent tenderness.

"Priestess of the Nornir, awake!" she said. "Let the curse of Odin fall we will go far hence into the wild mountains, and leave the race of Hialmar to perish. The vow was vain; but Nornir were not wholly pitiless. No shame has fallen upon thee, pure Daughter of the Snows!"

Svenska heard not-regarded not. Drawing herself away from all sup. port, the young priestess stood erect. She spoke, not to Ulva, but uttering her thoughts aloud—

"Dread Nornir! is this your will? Ye deceived me-nay, but Í beguiled myself. How could evil work out good? Odin scorns the unholy offering; the sinful vow brings its own punishment. Olof, Olof whom I came to betray, I love thee, as my own soul I love thee, and in vain.”

It was no more the priestess, but a desolate, despairing woman who lay

there on the cold ground, and moaned in incontrollable anguish. Ulva, stung to the heart, gazed on her without a word. The day of requital had come at last.

When the misty light of day changed into the star-lit beauty of a northern night, a clear sound pierced the silence of the hall. It was the Christian vesper-hymn, led by a fresh young voice, through whose melody trembled a tone of almost angelic gladness -the voice of Hermolin. Svenska, aroused from her trance, sprang madly on her feet.

"Olof, Olof," she cried, "the curse of Odin will fall; they will beguile thy soul, and I shall never see thee after death in the blessed dwellings of the Eser. Is there no help-no atonement? Ah!" she continued, and her voice suddenly rose from the shrillness of despair to the full tone of joy—“I see it now. Odin! thy will is clear: mine ear heard truly-mine eye saw plain. The sacrifice-it shall be offered still, and Odin's wrath be turned away. To the mountain, to the mountain, to the mountain!-son of Hialmar, son of Hialmar! I will yet await thee in the Valhalla of thy fathers."

She darted from the hall, and bounded away with the speed of the wind. Night and day, night and day, far up in the mountains, did Ulva follow that flying form, until at times she thought it was only the spirit of the priestess that still flitted on before her sight. At last she came to a wild ravine, in which lay a frozen sea of snow; on its verge stood that white shadow, with the outstretched arms, and the amber-floating hair.

As Ulva looked, there grew on the stillness a sound like the roaring of the sea; and a mighty snow-billow, loosened from its mountain cave, came heaving on nearer, nearer it drew, and the pale shape was there still; it passed, and the Daughter of the Snows slept beneath them.

The Daughter of the Snows!— whence, then, that shriek of mother's agony, the last that ever parted Ulva's lips" My child, my child !” Let Death, the great veiler of mysteries, keep until eternity one dread secret more !

D. M. M.

THIS work is made up of separate narratives, while its unity is maintained by their having reference to the one topic of Algeria. It is written with liveliness and good sense, tells of the moving accidents of a strange campaign, graphically outlines the scenery of the route, daguerreotypes the light-hearted, laughter-loving sol diery of France, and comprises, in compactest space, a great deal of fresh information on the condition and resources of French Africa. The first and main department of the book is a journal of a six weeks' campaign against the Kabaïles of Algeria. ` The word "Kabail" means "a tribe," and is applied by the French especially to the inhabitants of the mountain barrier between Algiers and Constantine, to which district they give the name of "The Kabylie." In strong contrast to this portion of the work, is the peaceful character of the second notice, which details the hazardous adventure of M. Suchet, the VicaireGeneral of Algeria, who volunteered to go alone in search of the camp of Abd-el-Kader, for the purpose of treating with him about an exchange of prisoners, and who, having accomplished his object, returned in safety. A third, and the concluding paper, describes Mr. Borrer's ride through the province of Constantine. First, then, for the campaign in the Kabylie.

The narrative of a French razzia may be expected to present some revolting features. War is ever stern, and wears its worst aspect when carried on amongst the uncivilised; but we believe there are few in England, and not many in France, who, after making every conceivable allowance, will not at once feel that some of the doings described in this volume transgress the limits of honourable conflict, and stain the name of soldier. They are, we may add, described by our author with a manifest disposition to

excuse them, so far as he honestly can. These tragic scenes cast their dark shadows over a work which is, in other respects, full of good feeling, and almost always gay.

The extensive territory called the Kabylie embraces that series of lofty mountains, of which the Djurjura— the Mons Ferratus of the ancients-is the highest, and holds on its rich slopes, and in its teeming vales, a population which, it is said, affords not less than 80,000 fighting men. This people retained their independence through all the vicissitudes of the Turkish rule, and, with the exception of some of the more exposed tribes, who, after hard contests, have submitted to the French, hold it still. They are a bold and industrious race; and, except in religion, have nothing in common with the Arabs of the plains. Unlike them, they are averse to a wandering life, are settled in wellbuilt villages, cultivate with care their valleys and hill-sides, make their own agricultural instruments, their arms, their powder, their haiks and carpets, and have works in leather and in other arts. Their language is the Shilla tongue, which is quite distinct from the Arabic. Their form of government is also different, being purely democratic; while that of the Arabs is aristocratic. The Kabyle chiefs are called "Amims," and become so, not by inheritance, but by election. They are often deposed without form, and have seldom much power, the popular influence resting mostly with the "marrabbutts," or saints. In their polity there is this disadvantage-that each tribe is a separate republic, and that, in consequence, there are frequent wars amongst them, which, however, all cease on the appearance of a common enemy. Like most mountaineers, they love their homes, and from a self-confidence, induced by immemorial independence, they are much disposed to treat invaders with

Scorn. They were, indeed, accus. tomed to regard them as judicial victims. "The stranger who penetrates into our country is sent by heaven, it being the will of Allah that he should be despoiled by us." Again, long after the French had settled in Algiers and Bugie, their haughty saying was, "You may sow your grain in the plains; but whenever it is our good pleasure, we shall come down and reap it." This they had often done in the time of the Turks; but the French have taught them some impressive lessons, and latterly they have shown a certain highland prudence mingled with their courage. Their answer to

Abd-el-Kader, when, in 1845, he applied to them for hospitality for hinself and followers, is characteristic:"We would wish to yield you that hospitality so pleasing to the great God; but the Christian is powerful. We have this year cultivated certain tracts upon the plains of Boghni and of Hamza: our works of husbandry are there considerable. The Christian will come up to burn our crops; what shall we then say to the poor and the needy, who look to us for their sustenance? Behold it is our duty to refuse your demand, and we do refuse." Mr. Borrer represents the Kabyles as practising atrocious barbarities, as roasting their enemies, &c. ; but the charge is made in general languige-no instance-no authority adduced, and we incline to regard it as a French exaggeration, which he has too hastily imbibed. A people who are-as he describes the Kabylesbrave, industrious, and well supplied with the necessaries of life, are not likely to be pre-eminently cruel.

The Kabyles are first-rate horsemen and crack shots." Their costume, well known now, through the prints taken from Horace Vernet's pictures, consists of the " khandoura," a kind of woollen shirt, with large loose sleeves, and the "burnoose," a white, or black-and-white, woollen mantle, with a large hood. The last, we are told, is worn "night and day, summer and winter, and is handed down from generation to generation, until perfectly reduced by the ravages of time and filth." They have slight sandals of hide, and broad hats made of the palmett a leaf, but are generally seen with the head uncovered.

When, in 1846, it was understood that Marshal Bugeaud, the GovernorGeneral of Algeria, contemplated an attack on the Kabyles, the movement was extremely unpopular both in the colony and in the mother-country. The general opinion amongst the settlers, and one to which Mr. Borrer seems to lean, was, that if left in peace, this people would soon be attracted into dealings with the French, and might, in time, acknowledge their supremacy; but that a resort to arms would only inflame their aversion to all strangers, and to Christians in particular, and make them lasting and expensive enemies. In France it is

to the honour of the country, that the character of the previous wars in Africa had raised a public feeling against new hostilities-Marshal Soult expressed his strong disapprobation of the measure, the minister of war was opposed to it, and a "commission, charged by the French chambers to examine and report upon the state of affairs in Algeria," laid before the government a formal declaration against the undertaking. Notwithstanding all this, Marshal Bugeaud thought proper, on his own responsibility, to proclaim war against the Kabyles, having first written to the authorities at home, stating that the submission of the native tribes could never be depended on "Jusqu'à ce que la poudre eût parle." The opinion of Marshal Bugeaud is, doubtless, entitled to much respect. During a six years' government in Algeria, he had a good deal raised the condition of the colony, and no one was better acquainted with its wants and resources. He very justly attached great importance to-what was, in fact, the main object of the expedition-the opening of a route by land between Algiers and Bougie, the chief stations of the settlement, the only communication between them at that time being by sea, and at the dividing distance of thirty-five leagues. In this he was pursuing the policy of the Romans, who, as is quite plain from existing remains, established connecting routes throughout their Numidia, and maintained them in the most mountainous regions by chains of military posts. Mr. Borrer has often halted in the wild province of Constantine to examine the ruins of these Roman posts, and their massive blocks

of stone indicated that they were never built for any merely temporary purpose.

The desirableness of establishing a communication between the chief stations of Algiers, Setif, and Bougie, through the mountains held by the Kabyles, was felt alike by the colonists and by the marshal. The former, however, conceived that this object might be obtained without having recourse to arms, while the latter, no doubt, thought that delay would itself be attended with greater difficulties than any which were likely to arise from the expedition. Were this question to be determined by the results of the undertaking, as known up to the present moment, we should say that the settlers were in the right. The proposed advantages could not be secured without the maintenance of new stations, the increase of the army, and the allocation of further funds from France. But if all this was little to be expected then, when the expenses of Algeria were already much complained of, it is not to be hoped for now. It must, however, be admitted, that the changes which have since taken place in the government and finance of the parent country were elements in the consideration of this vexata questio, which neither of the parties would have much attended to. Be, however, the policy of the measure what it may, the Mareschal Duc D'Is!y had, as we have said, resolved to carry it out; and while the wise men of Algiers were vaticinating that starved sheep and bloated bulletins would be its only profits, and that it must be abandoned, the sound of trumpet and of drum, and the tramp of armed men, announced, on the sunny 6th of May, that the troops were in motion for the Kabylie.

"Many a bright eye was bedimmed that fine May morning, as the gallant Vainquers d'Afrique' filed by, destined to seek la glorei' amidst the rude rocks and fastnesses of that sturdy peoplethat genus insuperabile bello-which, from time immemorial, have laughed to scorn those passing clouds of foreign usurpation beneath which their neighbours of the plain have so often bowed."

Mr. Borrer obtained the marshal's leave to accompany the expedition, and having purchased a horse, and supplied himself with a mule to carry canteens,

tent, &c., he attached himself to the sixth squadron of the First Chasseurs d'Afrique, the officers of which had courteously invited him to mess with them. Early on the first morning they crossed the Haratch-the Savus of the ancients and proceeded across the plain of the Metidja, which is many leagues in breadth :—

"As we traversed the wide Metidja (looking like a vast lake from the white mist rising from its death-fraught swamps), here cultivated with corn, and there stretching out in wide expanses of brushwood and coarse grass, or vast marshes producing forests of lofty reeds, a fine covert for the wild boar and the panther. The stillness of the morning was agreeably broken by the music of fourteen trumpeters, who preceded our squadron, playing, ever and anon, warlike airs, suited to the occasion and their auditors. Then, as the fair-sounding tones died off, did the gay troopers burst forth into one wild chorus with the songs of La belle France.' All was hilarity and enthusiasm. Ah, my lads,' thought I, 'some of you will be sleeping your last sleep amidst yon snow-clad mountains, and some of you will be singing rather out of tune as you are undergoing the process of being roasted before a Kabyle fire-hazard de la guerre.'"-p. 20.

They halt at a spot on the Metidja, called the "Arba," where, once a week, a large market is held, and which is much frequented by the Arabs, who bring horses, cattle, &c. It is at the foot of Djebel Moussa, one of the lower heights of the Little Atlas, and there are many streams about it. "Delightful groves of orange, lemon, and pomegranate, with massive clumps of lentish and wild olive, adorn this portion of the plain, and, at this time, the earth was gay with flowers of every hue, whilst the song of the nightingale was heard on all sides, and," adds our author, "what was better still, our horses were revelling in fine herbage." As the cavalry were moving off, Mr. Borrer had an opportunity of observing some facts which betray the mal

administration of the French.

Nume.

rous Arabs came on the ground to glean the corn which was left by the horses, and it was surprising to see the patience with which they picked out, grain by grain, the barley from amongst the trampled herbage. Many

of these famished wretches were, he assures us, once proprietors of the soil on which they were now gathering the scattered grain, with fear; many, too, belonged to tribes who had not only submitted to, but fought their invaders, who, with impolicy, as well as injustice, had deprived them of their lands, without indemnity, and compelled them to recede, and bear with them a steadier hatred of the Christians. Το support these charges, and show that they are not the offspring of prejudice, he cites the written statement of one of the members of the Commission sent out to Algeria by the French government, and to which we have before referred.

At Arba they commenced the ascent of the Djebel Moussa, by a route cut along the face of that mountain, and leading to the new post of Aumale, once the Auzia of the Romans, and which is four days' march to the S. E. of Algiers. It is to be observed, that this road, like all such others in the colony, was made by the army, and it is a strong fact in support of Marshal Bugeaud's view of the pressing im portance of facilitating internal communication, that, from the want of it, the carrying-trade, to the amount of thirteen millions of francs, is lost to the colonists, being altogether in the hands of the native muleteers. The roads in many directions, and to the principal outposts, are but pathways which are known to the Arabs only, and thus the transport of provisions, materials, &c., of necessity falls to them. The following short passage describes the scenery of this portion of their route, and the shepherd-huts of the natives, which are often found embowered in myrtles, mingled with the bright-flowered coronilla, and the dwarf gum-cistus:—

"The mountains we are now traversing are intersected by extremely deep and beautiful valleys, upon the steep slopes of which are clustered numerous gourbies,' or huts, forming villages, or dashkrahs,' as the mountaineers name them. These huts are constructed of rough stones, or masses of turf, the interstices filled up with mud, and with the dung of cattle. The roofs are thatched with coarse grass, straw, or reeds, and branches of trees. The extreme lowness of these dwellings is remarkable, the walls of few being

more than three feet in height; so that the branches covering the roof often One touch the ground at the eaves. large apartment alone is found in each family, and the rest by their live stock. hut, a portion of which is enjoyed by the It is only in the centre, generally, that, beneath the ridge of the roof, one can stand upright. In the neighbourhood of these villages the land is well cultivated, and crops of remarkably fine bearded wheat were now upon the ground."-pp. 29, 30.

The Arabs are accomplished artistes in horse-stealing, and in this particular have the thievish dexterity of the most thoroughbred Thugs of India. They sometimes succeed in taking the best horse, and from the centre of the camp. Our author is led to the topic by the circumstance, that several of their troop steeds are stolen at one of their bivouacs :

"These predatory horse-fanciers reject, with disdain, bad cattle, and it is always the finest horses which disappear in so mysterious a manner, in spite of sentinels and tethers. Gifted with the most untiring patience, the Moslem horse-stealer employs many cunning manoeuvres to appropriate such horses as please him. For instance, where there are clumps of brushwood in and about the bivouac, he will transform himself into a walking bush, fastening around his body boughs of brushwood, carefully arranged so as to cover him from head to foot; then, as the darkness comes on, will he station himself, watching, with the eyes of a lynx, each movement of the sentinel; he advances inch by inch, taking advantage of each change of guard to gain ground. An hour does not advance him, perhaps, more than a few yards. The sentinel sees nothing but a mass of brushwood, and confounds it with those scattered around. At last, the coveted horse at hand, the crafty Arab quits for an instant his disguise, detaches the footstrap, and attaches in its stead a small cord, of great length. His leafy cloak again resumed, he commences his retreat, and, arrived at a distance, gently tugs the cord; the horse advances a step or two, then pauses; another jerk produces another step or two, and, after due perseverance, he is at the confines of the camp, mounted, and galloping like lightning. Others will advance in the same stealthy manner upon their belly, merely holding a brand before them. And another mode is this: The robber will lead a mare into the neighbourhood of the camp;