GABELLE, a French word, derived from the German gift or tribute, and origi nally used in a general way to designate every kind of indirect tax, but more especially the tax upon salt. This impost, first established in 1286, in the reign of Philippe IV., was meant to be only temporary, but was declared perpetual by Charles V. It varied in the different provinces. Those that were most heavily taxed were called pays de grande gabelle, and those that were least heavily taxed, pays de petite gabelle. It was unpop ular from the very first, and the attempt to collect it occasioned frequent disturbances. It was finally suppressed in 1789. The name gabelous is, however, still given by tba common people in France to tax-gatherers.
a very old and once important city of Latium, 12 in. a. of Rome. Long before the foundation of Rome, Gabii appears to have been one of the largest of the Latin cities. It lo.lg maintained its independence; but after the time of Tarquin the proud, it appears in history as the ally or dependent of Rome. By gradual stages it fell Into such a state of decay as to become a proverb of desolation. During the reign of
Tiberius, its cold sulphurous springs attracted much attention, and it became a favorite fashionable resort. The emperor Hadrian patronized it, and supplied it with a town-house and an aqueduct. We hear of G. after the 3d c., excepting in ecclesiastical history, where mention is frequently made of its bishops, up to the close of the 0th contury. The of the ancient city is a ruined temple, probably dedicated to Juno, on a hilt now crowned by the ruins of the mediaeval fortress of Cas tiglione. Numerous and interesting statues and busts have been discovered. Quarries of an excellent building-stone, which was largely used by the Romans, existed in the neigh borhood of Gabii. The Romans termed a peculiar method of girding the toga einctus Gabinus. One end was thrown over the head, and the other fastened round the waist. This fashion was adopted by the founders of a new town, or by the consul when he " declared war in the name of the Roman people, or .devoted .himself to death for his country."