The population of Algiers is composed of several different nations ; Turks, Moors, Christians, and Jews. The Turks, who have been established here since the middle of the sixteenth century, hold the highest rank, and possess all the principal offices and empioyments. No native of Algiers is allowed to aspire to the name and privileges of a Turk ; he alone can claim that dis tinction, who has been born in the dominions of the Grand Signior, of Mahometan parents, or at least of a i\4ahometan mother. The high esteem in which these people are held, the honour, the privileges, and ex emptions which they enjoy, inspire them with such lofty ideas of their own superiority, that the meanest Turk thinks himself entitled to despise the most respecta ble among the Moors, the Christians, or Jews. Pride, indolence, voluptuousness, jealousy, revenge, and ava rice, are the prominent features in their character; though, at the same time, they arc sincere, Faithful, and courageous.
Next in rank and dignity to the Turks, are Cologlis, or Coloris, who are the children of Turks by female Moors. These form a numerous and respectable class, and are considered the most intelligent and cultivated of the inhabitants of Algiers.
The next division of AI ge rines consists of the Moors, under which general appellation are comprehended, the Moors properly so called ; the Kaby les, or mountaineers, mixed with Berbers, or Berbers, and several Arabian tribes. These Moors are, in general, more active than the Turks, and are fond of commerce and the mechanic arts ; but, in their moral character, they arc the most odious and depraved of mankind ; false, revengeful, cow ardly, fanatical, and avaricious. The Arabs, who inhabit the Algerine dominions, have uniformly kept themselves distinct from the other inhabitants, partly in • a state of independence, and partly as tributaries to the dcy. They dwell either in the desert, or among inaccessible mountains, divided into clans or families, under the go vernment of a patriarch, or sheik, who may be consi dered as their judge, their leader, and instructor. These Arabs are distinguished by their love of liberty, and by their pride.
The number of Jews in Algiers is not considerable, and their situation is particularly abject and miserable. A peculiar dress, of a dark colour, exposes them to no tice and to insult ; and a Jew, when abused by a Turk or a Moor, would be in danger of immediate death if he attempted his wan defence. They find it ne cessary, therelre, to purchase, by some valuable do nation, the protection either of some powerful Turk, or an European consul. No Jew is allowed to ac quire huirkd property in the kingdom of Algiers, nor even to ride through the gates or in the streets oh' the city.
The Christians in this kingdom, though pretty nu merous, are only transient residents, and cannot pro perly be reckoned among the legular inhabnants. Except on the western coast, where Oran and Alasal quhir arc occupied by the Spaniards, all the Chris tians here arc slaves, either captured by the col sans, or induced by wretchedness and penury to eno r colun tarily into a state of slavery. Oran and 1\ Lsalquivir are inhabited chiefly by fugitives from Spain, who de rive a very scanty subsistence from the garrison ; and destitute of trade, agriculture, and manufactures, live in extreme poverty and indolence. Most of those who enter voluntarily into servitude, arc deserters from the garrison at Oran, whose number is estimated at 100 an nually.
The renegadoes are Jews or Christians, who, c ithcr from hatred, or dread of their relations, or from motives of interest and ambition, have renounced the faith of their ancestors for the predominant religion of the country. When possessed of talents and activity, these people are as much respected as the Cologlis, and are often advanced to the most honourable and lucra tive employments. We have seen, in the course of the history, that several of the Turkish bashaws were renegadoes, who had distinguished themselves by their abilities and their services to government, Of Chris tian renegadoes the number is propoi tionablv small. The zeal to gain proselytes from Christianity has now ceased ; for by such conversions the proprietors of slaves would lose them, without obtaining the expected ran som. (k)