the Romans were in a condition to extend their dominion, it fent forth colonies, and
eitablilhed them along the coaft. Among tlie moil remarkable were Nice, Antibes,
Agde, &c.
Tlie city of Marfeilles was, by oi-der of Caius Julius C»far, invefted by Treboniiis, one
of bis generals, about the forty-ninth year before Chriii, and forccd to paatake of the fate
of the reft of the Gauls. Neverthclefs, after the dccline of tlie Roman empire, it ihone
forth with all its ancient fplendom-, altliough fucceffivc invafions of the northern powers
had nearly laid wafte the greateft part of this country, aj\d maintained its independence
till the fixtecnth century, at which period this city was annexed to France.
Marfeilles is the capital of the fenefchals jurifdiaion, and is built on the declivity of a
hill which is nearly fiUTOimded by mountains.
In the vicinity of the city is a vaft number of pleafant country houfes, called Baftides,
belonging chiefly to the more opulent merchants and mechanics of Marfeilles, who regularly
vifit thefe villas from the Saturday till tlie Monday, to relax from the fatigues of bufinefs,
and indulge in country amufements: vivacity and gaiety being the charadteriftic of
the Provencals, to a degree fcarcely to be equalled. Their feftivals confift of a fucceffion
of rural recreations j fuch as dancing, wreftling, See. for although in general they are particularly
afliduous to their various occupations, yet on thofe days of relaxation, like true
Sybarites, they indulge in mirth and jollity, the air on all fides rcfounding with the mingled
ftrains of ruftic harmony.
This city merits tlie attention of every traveller, not only from the beauty of its edifices,
which are magnificent; the houfes well builtj the ftreets for the moft part open, airy, and
fpacious; but from the celebrity of its univerfity and colleges, befides the numerous dmritable
eftabliihraents for obje6ls of every denomination. Its population is alfo confiderable,
and eftimated at neariy one hundred thoufand inhabitants.
Marfeilles is feated cailward of an extenfive guJph which ferves as a road to the harbour,
defended by feveral batteries fituated on the oppofite fide. The ilrongeft and moil
confpicuous arc the forts If, Rotoneau, and Pomcgue, forming fo many detached illands,
fouth weft of the city.
The fort If, built in the fixtcenth century by Francis the Firft of France, ftands on a
bare rock of neariy one mile in extent, the faliant angles of which arc fortified by redans.
This fort is in the form of a parallelogram, flanked by four towers, which fcrve as baftions.