PERPIGNAN, capital formerly of Rousillon, now of the department of Pyrdn6ea-Orientales, in the south of France, is situated at the junction of the Basso with the Tet, 5 miles W. from the Mediterranean, 525 miles S. from Paris, in 42° 41' 55' N. lat., 2° 54'18" E. loug., 1196 feet above the level of the sea, and had 19,122 inhabitants in the com mune at the census of 1851. Whilst Rousillon was in the hands of the kings of Aragon, Perpignan became in 1349 the seat of a university founded by king Pedro. In 1474 the town was taken, after a most vigorous resistance, by Louis XL of France. Having been restored to Spain, it was again taken in 1642 by Louis X111., and was included in the cession of Rousillon to the French. The town is built partly on the slope of a hill, and partly in the plain at its foot, on the right bank of the Tet, over which there are two bridges. A strong citadel commands the town on the south side. The defences of the town, eonaisting of ramparts flanked with bastions and protected by terraces from the beeiegers fire, of advanced rednubta, covered ways, &c., were all thoroughly repaired in 1823, and Perpignan is new one of the strongest places in Franco. There are barracks for 5000 men built by
Louis XIV., and occupying one side of the parade. Perpiguan is divided into the old and new towns. The streets, with few exceptions, are narrow and dark, and the houses ill built. The most remarkable buildings are—the cathedral, the churches of Sa-Jean-le-Vieux and La-lixcl, the town-house, the mint, the former churches of the Corde liers, Carmelites. and Dominicans, the Carmelite convent, now the arsenal, &c. The town gives title to a bishop. It has tribunals of first instance and of commerce, a custom-house, a college, a clerical school, two hospitals, a theatre, a botanic garden, and a public library of 13,000 volumes kept in a part of the old university buildings. The manufactures are—broadcloth and woollen stuffs, playing cards, leather, brandy, soap, and corks. The chief articles of commerce are— red and liqueur wines, brandy, oil, silk, wool, iron, and cork. Half way between Perpignan and tho sea is this hamlet of Caskill-Rausillon, which stands on the left bank of tho Tet, and occupies part of the site of the ancient Banque.