in the customs of the Algerines, a cook of the divan.—The janizaries, whom the Algerines call oldachis, after serving a certain term as common soldiers, are preferred to be biqualars, or cooks of the divan, which is the first step towards arriving at higher preferment. Biqualars have the care of furnishing the officers and commanders of the Algerine foliery with meat and drink in the camp, in garrison, &c. From biqualars they are made odobichis; that is, corporals of companies, or commanders of squadrons.