TOULON, a French naval arsenal of the first class, in the department of Var; beautifully situated on a deep inlet of the Mediterranean, formed by the penin sula of Sopet; 40 miles S. E. of Mar seilles. It is built at the foot of the Pharon Hills, which protect the city on the N., and are partly covered with fine forests. Defended by a strong citadel, girt with a double-bastioned wall, and surrounded by some 15 forts and re doubts, it is, next to Brest and Cher bourg, the principal naval station of France. The town is divided into old and new parts, the former quaint and dingy, the latter containing the public buildings erected by Louis XIV. and sev eral spacious squares, as the Champs de Battaile, Puget, and St. Pierre. Among the chief buildings are the Hold de Ville with caryatides by Puget, the de l'Intendance, the cathedral of St. Marie Majeure, dating from the 11th century, but greatly altered, a naval hospital erect ed by Louis XIV., the hospital of St. Mandricr, on the Sepet, a public library, and a handsome theater. The Mourillon tower, built 1848, in six etages, commands a magnificent view. The Bagne for con victs, established by Colbert in 1682, was removed in 1872. The port militaire, one of the largest in Europe, comprises the old Darsa, formed under Henri IV., the new under Louis XIV., and the Darsa of Castigneau; three repairing docks and three arsenals: (1) The arsenal mari time, built by Vauban, with a general magazine, a cordage factory, a foundry, a naval museum, a park of artillery, and an armory. (2) That of Castigneau (area
17 hectares), with bakeries, copper works, forges, etc. (3) That of Mouril Ion, with steam sawmills, covered slips, and large fosses for the conservation of timber. The naval port, the equipment of which is singularly complete, and the cost of which amounted to upward of 160,000,000 francs, is separated from the roadstead by hollow bomb-proof moles, lined with batteries. A great number of the inhabitants (some 10,000) are employed in the arsenal works, and of recent years there has sprung up a con siderable trade with Algeria. Toulon has an agreeable climate; at its Jardin des Plantes palms grow in the open air. Toulon is said to have been founded by a Roman soldier, Telo Martius, and was known as Telo in the 4th century. It was destroyed by the Arabs in 889, and again in the 12th century, but in the 16th century it had become a stronghold of some importance. On Aug. 27, 1793, it was taken by the English, who were forced on Dec. 19 following to surrender it to the Republicans after firing the shipping. Napoleon, a simple officer, then first evinced his genius for war. Pop. about 107,000.