ALGIERS, ALGERIA

Less than a century ago the Barbary Coast, and the city of Algiers in particular, was a nest of pirates. All the principal nations of the world paid them tribute. Their nation was known as the “scourge of Christendom.” Up to the year 1800 the United States alone had poured over $2,000,000 into the coffers of the dey, or ruler. But it was our country, the youngest of all, that put a stop to this cowardly practice of paying toll for immunity from attack on the high seas.

In 1800 Captain Bainbridge, in a United States warship, went to Algiers, taking the usual “presents.”

The dey commanded him to become his messenger and carry his despatches to Constantinople. “The English, French, and Spanish captains have always done this for me. You also pay me tribute, and you also are my slaves,” he said insultingly.

Not daring to disobey without orders from home, Bainbridge did as he commanded; but this was too much for the American people. After the War of 1812 Commodore Decatur served notice on the dey that never again would the United States pay him tribute in money. The dey replied that some powder for his fleet would be acceptable.

“The powder you shall have, if you insist,” answered Decatur; “but the bullets go with it.”

The dey refused the present; but ordered his ships to destroy all American shipping hereafter. These orders having been carried out, Commodore Decatur sailed again for Algiers, and forced the terrified dey to sign a treaty which gave to American ships immunity forever after.

In 1816 the English attacked Algiers; but it was not until fourteen years later that the pirates’ nest was destroyed for good. On June 13, 1830, the dey of Algiers slapped the French consul in the face, and brought down upon himself the wrath of France in the shape of an army of forty thousand men. On the fourth of July, Algiers surrendered, and the “scourge of Christendom” was ended.

Algiers, the French capital of Algeria, has 154,000 inhabitants. It is located on the west side of the Bay of Algiers, and is the most important coaling station on the whole coast of northern Africa.

In Roman times the famous Biblical town of Cæsarea occupied almost the same site. The present city was founded about 935; but Algiers was of little importance until after the expulsion of the Moors from Spain, many of whom settled in the city. From then on until its capture by France, Algiers was the chief seat of the Barbary pirates. The French have greatly improved the place.

RAPALLO, ITALY

RAPALLO ON THE RIVIERA, an extremely beautiful stretch of shore which extends along the Mediterranean Sea, is the subject of one of the intaglio-gravure pictures illustrating “The Mediterranean.”

Monograph Number Two in The Mentor Reading Course

PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION