BERZSNYI, ber-zhb/nyi, DAN IEL (1 776 1836). A Hungarian poet, born at Hetye, County of Eisenburg. His l'crsci appeared in 1813, with out his consent, under the editorship of Hel meezi. These poems. an authorized edition of which was published under the direction of the author in 1816. were cordially greeted. especially by the younger patriots, and have become classic in the literature of Hungary. The most recent edition is that by Toldy (2 vols., Pest. 1864).
BES, An Egyptian divinity, presiding over art, music, the dance, and childbirth. represented as a grotesque, deformed dwarf, and formerly identified with Typhon. He is of foreign origin, appearing chiefly after the Twentieth Dynasty, and is known to the Phoenicians.
BESANcON, be-ziix'sOx' (Low Lat. Besantio, Lat. l'esontio). The capital of the French De partment of Doubs, and formerly of Franche a fortress of the first class and seat of an archbishopric, situated on the river Doubs, 57 nnles eest of Dijon (Map: France, N 4). Besancon has many remarkable buildings and Roman remains, The cathedral is a striking structure. dating from the Eleventh Century. The Prefecture belongs to the year 1697, and the palace of Cardinal Granvella, the minister of Charles V., is an interesting example of half Gothic, half Romanesque a rehiteeturA. The gate of Mars, or Porte Noire, is a triumphal arch, built in A.D. 167, by Marcus Aurelius. There
is also a Roman amphitheatre in ruins, whose vast proportions suggest the ancient importance of the city. Besancon was strongly but ir regularly fortified by Vauban in the Seventeenth Century, the citadel being considered impreg nable. Since that time the fortifications have been extended and strengthened. The present fortifications consist of the citadel of Vauban, with recent additions, which occupies the site of the ancient Roman stronghold, 1200 feet above sea-level. Forts are also built on the neigh boring heights. The city is all important in dustrial centre, the principal productions being hardware, but there is great activity in the weaving of silk, linen, and cotton. One-fifth of the population is engaged in the manufacture of timepieces. Population, in 1896, 57,556. Ve sontio, or Visontium, the capital of the Sequani, was a considerable place in the time of Cirsar, who in B.C. 58 expelled its inhabitants, and in the neighborhood of the city gained a victory over Ariovistus. It then became an important Roman military station. In modern times, after undergoing many changes, it finally came into possession of France in 1674. Consult Besan con et la Franche-Comt6; notices historiques (Besancon, 1893).