An immense bid which Wilmington makes for future greatness is in the excellence of her harbor.  Shipping there is at once safe and unimpeded in its exit.  The Delaware and its bay below the city are broad and without sudden bends.  Ice does not gather, and the influence of the ocean, by its tidal movement and salt water, makes the breaking of a channel comparatively easy.  The Christine harbor, from any point near its mouth, can be kept open to the sea in all ordinary winters by a stout and well-built tug.  The Christine is much wider—­probably by three times—­than the Chicago River, upon which every ton of the magnificent commerce of that great city is delivered.  It has a better entrance and deeper water, as well as greater breadth.  Wilmington believes she has a better issue for her manufactures in the Christine and Delaware than Glasgow possesses in the Clyde.  The Clyde is narrower and more difficult to keep in order than the Christine, and Glasgow’s facilities for getting materials for shipbuilding are not as great as Wilmington’s.

The difference in the cost of production of iron ships in Wilmington and on the Clyde, exclusive of the premium on gold, is at this time about ten per cent. only.  Taking the present price of gold (fourteen), this increases the difference to about twenty-four per cent.  The falling off in the price of gold, which is so generally expected, together with the advance in labor in Great Britain, and the consequent advance in the price of iron there, will soon bring the cost nearly equal in both countries.  Indeed, if our shipbuilders would use the light and inferior iron in their ships that is used on the Clyde, the cost would not now materially differ.  This will not be done, however, for reasons that are too evident to need stating; and by waiting until the prices have adjusted themselves naturally and permanently, a more lasting and desirable prosperity will be gained.  Meditating these considerations, Wilmington is quite serene and fearless under the present temporary depression of American shipbuilding.

There are some features connected with the life and education of the operatives so abundant in this town, some additional industries, a few items of religious history, and a few evidences of modern taste or luxury, that we wish to consider; but these must be reserved for a second paper.

THE ROUMI IN KABYLIA.

SECOND PAPER.

[Illustration:  FROM CONSTANTINA TO SETIF.]

The Roumi who leaves Constantina for Setif has a choice of two routes—­one picturesque, lively and covered with Roman remains; the other perfectly arid, and distinguished by the fact that in five miles there are just four trees.

He turns, however, as he settles himself in his stirrup amongst the interested Arab population of Constantina, to cast a last look at the ugly French streets in which, as a tourist, his lot was cast.  The Arab quarters, where life still flows on in the old African style, have seized his attention exclusively, and he remembers with a kind of contemptuous remorse that he has paid no regard to the smart modern edifices and offices that belong to French occupation.  Yet one of these, at least, the staring Napoleonic Palais de Justice, would yield him a romance from time to time.