The Author
ALGERIA
FROM WITHIN
BY
R. V. C. BODLEY
ILLUSTRATED
INDIANAPOLIS
THE BOBBS-MERRILL COMPANY
PUBLISHERS
Copyright, 1927,
by The Bobbs-Merrill Company
Printed in theUnited States of America
PRINTED AND BOUND
BY BRAUNWORTH & CO., INC.
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK
To
MY MANY FRIENDS
OF ALL NATIONALITIES WHO
INHABIT ALGERIA
FOREWORD
This is not a preface but merely a few words to state that inwriting these pages I have in no way tried to criticize the Frenchadministration or to discuss the Arab from any point of view butthat of a spectator.
I have no political feelings, few ambitions beyond living simplyand far away from the world, and if this work exists at all, it isbecause I have wished that people should know Algeria as it reallyis.
Once upon a time I had great ideas about worldly position andthe sound of long titles; I believed that greatness was to beachieved in the capitals of Europe or on the battle-fields, but Iknow now that this is not so. Worldly positions and great titlesare the weary outcome of much money laboriously reaped, and theheroes of battle-fields pass unnoticed in the street.
Southern Algeria, with all its charm, with all its capriciousmoods, has, like some lovely woman, taken me in its arms and I amdoubtful if it will ever let me go.
Let this book therefore be read in the spirit in which it hasbeen written by one who, having seen life in many parts of theglobe, has found peace and solution to all worldly difficultiesamong the rustling palm-trees and broad expanses of the Sahara.
I must here take the opportunity of thanking certain kindfriends who have helped me in my work, notably:
Monsieur Jean Causeret, Secrétaire Général du GouvernementGénéral, who has supplied me with maps, Dr. Alfred S. Gubb, thewell-known English physician in Algiers, the Rev. Lucius Fry,British Chaplain in Algiers, and Mrs. Clare Sheridan, who have alllent me photos appearing in these pages. My thanks are also due toMrs. Welthin Winlo, whose untiring secretarial work has helped meto prepare this work, to Miss Una Thomas who has helped me with theproofs, and to Mr. Julian Sampson, who has not only supplied mewith photographs, but who has also brought his expert knowledge tobear in the selecting of suitable illustrations.
Laghouat,
November, 1926.