From Fraser's Magazine JAMES SMITH, ESQ. tinual quoting of them for years afterwards has contributed in a great measure towards getting him, so generally as he is, considered to be a bore. Ay ! there's the end of it! We all know what But let him have his praise. His single talent Dr. Radcliffe said to Queen Anne, when she was a good talent, and there is no reason why he asked him what brought on the gout. There should wrap it up in a napkin. We have already sits James Smith, with his foot pressing a soft alluded to the universal diffusion of his name cushion, his elbows propped by the arms of an among us English folk, and its trite and ordinary easy chair, his hand resting on a crutch, his hair sound in our ears. It is perhaps more congruous departed from his head, his nose tinged with the on that account with the station which he has colours of the dawn, and his whole man in a chosen to hold in our literature. His place there state of that repose which indicates that he has is of the Smiths, Smithish. In his own magazine had much work in his way while sojourning in essays, it was a favourite pastime to represent this world, and that, like Falstaff, he is taking his Mr. Deputy Higgs of Norton Falgate aping the ease in his own inn, the Garrick-a club of gen-great, and very much disparaged for the parody. tlemen which in a great measure would answer To Scott, to Southey, to Wordsworth, to Byron, the description given by that worthy knight of Smith is what this Norton-Falgatian is to the his companions in arms, as being principally gentlemen of White's. He is, therefore, well composed of "gentlemen of companies, slaves as named; and let him not repine at his "compellaragged as Lazarus-discarded unjust serving-men, tion," as in former days, when, walking in Oxford younger sons of younger brothers, revolted tap- Street with Wilson Croker, he observed over a sters, and ostlers trade-fallen." Among them shop door "Mortimer Percy, tailor,"-" Is it not sits James Smith, regaling them with jokes, too hard," said James, then fresh from all the which, if they are not quite as good as those of honours of the Rejected Addresses about him, Falstaff, have at least the merit of being at least that two such grand and aristocratic names should be the lot of a tailor, while two wits and gentlemen are moving about the streets afflicted with the names of Croker and Smith ?” No-the name is right as old. The name which he bears has excited some rather elaborate wit in Don Juan "'Mongst these were several Englishmen of pithSixteen called Thomson, and nineteen named Smith;" and so forth. It is, in spite of this and many other jokes of the same kind, one of the most honourable names in the world. It is derived directly from Tubal Cain. As old Verstegan sings, after some far older authority And may the Garrick hail with loud acclaims, From the Westminster Review. ALGERINE COMMISSION. "From whence comes Smith, all be he knight or squire, Procès-Verbaux des Rapports de la Commission But from the smith who worked in the fire?" The d'Afrique instituée par Ordonnance du 12 Decembre, 1833. A Paris, de l'Imprimerie royale, 1834. Communicated by the Ministry to the Chamber of Peers, and of the Chamber of Deputies.-4to. pp. 539. And what descent can be more noble ? Smith has, however, not been especially famous in our literature; and in the present case is distinguished only by some cleverly hammered out jokes. Whether James or Horace were the prin- Louis Philippe, on receiving the report of the cipal hammerman, is a question in doubt among president of the council of ministers, decided on the critics who employ themselves in discussing the 7th of July, 1833, "that a special commission matters of such moment. We incline to those should be appointed to proceed to Africa, to colwho think that any thing of value in the Reject-lect any important facts which might tend to the ed Addresses is to be attributed to the pen of information of government relative to the actual James. But as Horace (Flaccus, not Smith) re-state of the country, or the measures indispensamarks, "grammatici certent"-we shall not dog-ble to its future welfare." The members of this matise on the subject. It is certain that James commission, Lieutenant-General Count Bonnet, lays no claim to the novel writing honours of his brother. With respect to the Addresses, he is content to "partake the triumph;" but he has no notion that he is called upon to "pursue the Gale" -no, nor the Reuben, nor the Brambletye, nor any thing that is his-viz. Horace's. James Smith was an attorney, and is a pleasant, twaddling, pun-making, epigram-manufacturing, extempore-grinding, and painstaking elderly joker. He made one hit, and that was a good one; on the strength of which he has lived ever since, as indeed he deserved to live. We cannot recollect that he wrote any thing in the book line except his contributions to the Rejected Addresses, unless he had a hand in such stuff as Jokeby, or Horace in London. His magazine papers in the New Monthly were rather monotonous; and his conVOL. XXVI. APRIL, 1835-45 peer of France, president; the Count d'Haubersart, peer of France; Messrs. De la Pinsonnière, Laurence, Piscatory, Reynard, members of the chamber of deputies; De Montfort, maréchal de camp and inspector of engineers; Duval d'Ailly, captain in the navy; were, on their return, to join a more numerous commission, which was carefully to examine the information obtained, and make a detailed report thereon to government. The former commission reached Algiers on the 1st of September, and immediately proceeded on the mission confided to them. They not only visited the environs of the town, but traveled as far as Belida at the foot of the Atlas, and from thence by sea to Oran, Arzew, and Bona. They endeavoured, without success, to disembark at Mustaganim'; and several of them landed at Bou gie, of which a French expedition from Toulon | influence of France, by combinations in perfect had lately taken possession. The result of their harmony nevertheless with the right of conquest enquiries and observations having been presented by which the authority of France has been subto the president of the council of ministers, the stituted for that of the regency, and guided by the second named commission was instituted by pro- rules of a humane and enlightened policy. The clamation on the 12th December, 1833. Its mem-commission having adopted this basis, it remained bers are the Duke de Cazes, peer of France, pre-only to apply it to the different parts of the terrisident; Lieutenant-General Count Guilleminot, tory of the regency which are at present in the peer of France; Baron Monnier, peer of France; possession of France. The commission entered M. Duchatel, privy counsellor and member of the into a serious discussion on this important subchamber of deputies; M. Dumont, do. do.; M. ject, and at length drew up and signed the folPassey, member of the chamber of deputies; the lowing resolutions. Count de Sade, do.; M. Baude, do.; LieutenantGeneral Bernard, aide-de-camp to the king; ViceAdmiral Ducampe de Rosamel; Baron Volland, intendant militaire. This new commission, composed of nineteen members, began by carefully examining all the documents brought from Africa by the former one. The procès-verbaux of all the sittings were read to them; the French and Moors, then in Paris, and many other persons whose evidence was deemed useful and important, as also several other individuals who had volunteered to communicate certain facts, or give certain necessary explanations on various subjects, were severally heard by them. They then discussed all the questions specified in the instructions furnished by the president of the privy council to the first commission at the period of their departure for Africa; and after forty successive sittings, they drew up a report of all their proceedings, which is divided into two distinct parts. The first contains the discussion of the fundamental points, the evacuation or continual occupation of Algiers, the extent to be given to that occupation, and the form of government most proper to be adopted for the French possessions on the coast of Africa. The second part of the report relates to the civil administration, justice, and finances, and contains the decision of the commission relative to several private questions on which they had previously been consulted. The commission, by a majority of seventeen to two, were of opinion that "France ought to retain its possessions on the northern coast of Africa." They were almost unanimous on this fundamental resolution, but differed on the proper system to be adopted for the occupation and government of these possessions. There were various opinions on this subject; the principal maritime places only might be occupied; or the conquest might be extended, and an expedition sent into the interior to subdue the province of Constantina; or an intermediate system might be fixed upon, a kind of medium where equal advantages could be reaped from the two extreme plans; or the towns now occupied might be retained, and the neighbouring territory gradually extended on every favourable opportunity. After a somewhat lengthened discussion, it was unanimously agreed on, that in its execution, the system was to allow of nothing absolute; that by economising the resources of the present, the access of future prospects must not be debarred. The government must preserve the fortified towns, as also the territory round those towns, which would easily be defended by troops. Government must also endeavour to extend the authority and "The commission are of opinion: 1. "That, for the honour and interest of France, the possessions on the northern coast of Africa must be re tained. 2. "That, in maintaining the right of France to the sovereignty of the entire regency of Algiers, it will be proper for the present to confine the military occupation to the towns of Algiers, Bona, Oran, Bougie, and a certain designated territory in advance of the two former places. of Algiers, must be protected by a line of military sta3. "That the territory occupied in front of the town tions, extending from the chain of the Atlas at Belida, or the neighbourhood of that town, to the sea side; on one side in the direction of Cape Matifou, and on the other towards Coleah. 4." That the territory occupied in front of Bona must also be flanked by a line of military outposts, extending from the extremity of Lake Felzara, passing through Side-Damden to the mouth of the Mafrag. 5. "That the general object of the fortifications to be constructed, is to place the towns and outposts in a state that works of regular fortification can for the present be of defence against the attacks of the native hordes; and dispensed with. 6. "That the effective military force must be reduced on every possible opportunity, and remain limited to 21,000 men, who are to be thus distributed : For the defence of Algiers and territory... For that of Bougie ..... 12,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 7. "That it will be necessary also to employ corps of natives as an auxiliary force to the French garrisons, and to compel the native tribes to furnish their share of these troops, which would only be entitled to receive pay during active service. 8. "That all matters which in France are settled by the legislative power, should likewise be so in the French possessions situated on the northern coast of Africa, and the council of ministers; and that, to this effect, a law in virtue of royal proclamation previously deliberated in should be passed to delegate the legislative power in these possessions, to the king in person. 9. "That a governor general, invested with authority and civil power, be appointed to these dominions; that his powers be regulated by royal proclamation sanctioned by the council of ministers, as also by the instructions he will receive relative to the general administration of government. 10. "That the king's orders relative to every part of of state, president of the council of ministers, only; but the service, should be transmitted to him by the secretary in all financial and judicial matters, the governor general should correspond directly with the ministers of those two departments. 11. That the authority of the governor general, who should reside at Algiers, extending over the whole pos session, the commandants of Bona, Oran, and other places, should be under his immediate orders, and communicate | but then it must be on the same system that the English with him alone. 12. "That the civil administration be exercised under the orders of the governor general, and by his administrators residing at Algiers, Bona, Oran, and Bougie, who will severally keep up a correspondence with him. 13. "That the regulations, established in France relative to the division of the civil and military departments, must be observed in fixing the duties of the commandants and their administrators; and that the governor general should have the right of delegating to any of the military commandants of different stations, any portion of his power he may deem requisite. 14. "That the first duty of the governor general should be to guarantee the persons and property of the inhabitants, and liberty of religion; to protect agriculture and commerce; on no account to have recourse to military force, except for defence against the attacks of the natives; but no expedition with intent to extend the occupation beyond the given limits, to be undertaken without a previous order from the king. 15. "That, nevertheless, the governor general should seek by all other possible means to extend the dominion of France over all the parts of the country which are yet unsubdued. 16. "That it will be desirable that the governor general be assisted by a council consisting of the general commandant of the garrison of Algiers, a judicial functionary appointed by the king, the military intendant, and the director of finances. 17. “That a special budget for the government of Algiers should be voted; this budget to detail the total amount of expenditure for the French possessions on the northern coast of Africa." The foregoing are the official resolutions definitively agreed upon, and fully detailed in the general report of 10th March, 1834. The next object is to examine the important discussions which have taken place in the numerous sittings. govern in India, where they wisely rejected any attempt at colonising, which measure would have finally driven them from that important country. For a century and a half that they have retained possession of that part of the world, they have never suffered their countrymen to settle within the boundaries of the twenty-four districts given up to them. This system is in no way similar to that adopted for settlements in America, and still the analogy is continually insisted on. In Africa you will find warriors accustomed and well trained to war, and who will seek every opportunity of satisfying their propensity, but are naturally uncontrollable. In America the invaders found wandering tribes settled here and there over a vast territory, flying, or submitting to their arms and their civilisation, naturally of a pacific disposi tion, and willingly submitting to their demands. In Africa the inhabitants are all cultivators or graziers: they occupy and possess small portions of the territory; for instance, the Kabailes live in the mountains which they inhabit, in huts surrounded by a small spot of culti vated ground. The American natives were all huntsmen, and willingly gave up the land." In the sitting of 25th January, 1834, M. de Damrémont was examined before the commission. The substance of his evidence was as follows: "I am of opinion that government ought not to interfere in the colonising of the country further than to afford every encouragement to persons who may wish to risk their capital in the propagation of industry, or to protect any works executed on the territory of Algiers. cultivate the land, and the neighbouring tribes will never The country is too populous to depend on the natives to contribute to the cultivation of those districts they do not inhabit, unless by sending occasionally a few hands to assist. But when once confidence is fully established, colonists will flock to the country in abundance; and the land owners will be glad to have thein settle on their property, or even have no objection to make over certain portions of their property to them on fair terms. To support my opinion, I will state to the commission some information which I collected while at Marseilles, and The first sittings, namely those from 22nd December, 1833, to 23d January, 1834, M. Pichon was introduced, and made the following statement in reply to various questions put to him by the pre-which may be considered authentic. Several opulent sident. Swiss merchants, established in that city, often intimated "I resided five months at Algiers. All that I saw of to me that if they were certain that these possessions the country and inhabitants during that period has fully would not be given up, they would purchase land for convinced me that the word colonisation,' at least in those of their countrymen, who, finding no means of the sense given to it in France, is erroneous as far as re-existence at home, are obliged to quit their native land, lates to the French possessions in Africa, inasmuch as and would prefer Algiers to America, on account of the the settling of a colony of cultivators in that country is immense distance of the latter country. I will add, as impossible. I am of opinion that for the present it will my firm belief, that the commercial portion of the combe better only to persist in the occupation of Algiers, munity at Marseilles, who are exceedingly prudent, and Bona, and Oran, as the most important maritime posi- very rarely speculate on matters of chance, would become tions on the coast of Africa. We can try cultivation in purchasers of portions of the territory of Algiers and a range of country near these points; but, above all, let Bona the very day that an official communication from us not attempt colonising on the plan of the settlements government should make known the positive intention of in America. The two countries cannot be assimilated, the king's ministers relative to the French possessions not only on account of the different nature of the soil, on the coast of Africa." but also the difference of manners and customs of the inhabitants. Any attempt to settle beyond the territories defended by the three places mentioned, would prove fruitless to the inhabitants, and ruinous to France. The surest means of destroying the future prospects of Algiers, would be to attempt to over-extend the territory already in the possession of France, and to continue on the same plan as at present. I will ask one question;-tary works." What benefit has been derived from the works executed, and the money employed to colonise those possessions, for these four years past? "I certainly conceive that our possessions at Algiers will hereafter enable us to cominand the whole of Africa; The President." What effective force do you conceive would be necessary to keep Algiers and the neighbouring possessions within the limits you have designated?" M. de Damrémont.-" I think that fourteen thousand men would be sufficient to protect the colonists, afford them complete security, and execute the necessary sani mission were frequently interrupted by the necesIn these first sittings, the debates of the comsity of referring to the means which had been employed to obtain power in Africa, which |