Since the subjugation of A., the French have conferred various benefits on the colo nists and native tribes, not the least important of which has been the digging` of Artesian wells (q.v.). In May, 1856, a "boring" was commenced in an oasis of the Sahara or desert of the province of Constantine. A civil engineer, a sergeant of Spahis, and a de tachment of soldiers of the foreign legion, succeeded in bringing to light a splendid foun tain or river, yielding not less than 4010 quarts of water per minute. The work was considered a miracle. From all quarters the Arabs flocked to behold and enjoy it. The native priests blessed it, naming it the " Fountain of Peace." Another well was termed the "Fountain of Benediction." In the oasis of Sidi-Bached, unproductive for want of water, a well was dug, and a depth of 54 metres yielded 4300 quarts per minute. It is known as the "Fountain of Gratitude," and the enthusiasm excited at its opening was boundless. The idea of providing such wells has rightly been considered "a stroke of strong political wisdom." The government has done service to the colonists by encouraging the formation of banking-companies, etc. In 1875 there were about 350 m. of railway in operation, con sisting of three lines—viz., one from Algiers to Oran, one from the sea to Constantine, and one from Bona to the mines of Ain Mokra. A telegraph cable was laid in 1870 between Bona and Marseilles ; and there are 5850 m. of inland telegraphs, including branches to Tunis.
It would be too much to affirm that the colonization of A. has advanced rapidly. The French government has acted neither very promptly nor very liberally towards set tlers ; and the number of formalities which require to be gone through before one can properly secure the land which he has purchased, often disgusts the poor farmer. How ever, great efforts have been made for the improvement of agriculture : altogether, 5,139,136 acres are stated as being under cultivation, 413,112 acres being cultivated by Europeans. The total exports of A. amounted in 1876 to £6,660,000: the imports, to £8,540,000. In 1875, 36,580 tons of Alfa fibre or esparto grass for making paper was ex ported, chiefly to Great Britain. A number of Mohammedan schools for instruction in French and Arabic have been established, and are regularly attended by pupils of both sexes, who learn to read and write fluently in the French language, and to keep accounts. In Algiers itself there are several of these schools, where female children are taught sew ing. although progress is slower than might have been anticipated, it is real, and its pace accelerating. When tierce have been softened by time, and such atroci ties as those of Dahra (q.v.) have been forgotten in the substantial blessings which an enlightened civilization cannot fail to bestow, the presence of the French in A. will cease to be deplored by the natives.