BEAUCAIRE, a town in the department of Gard in France, is very advantageously situated for trade; whereby it has long been an entrepot of the trade of France with Spain, Africa, Italy, and the Levant. One of the great old fairs of Europe is held here every year ; when Greek, Armenian, Turkish, Egyp tian, Arabian, Italian, Spanish, and Moorish merchants arrive to sell the merchandise of their respective countries and take away in return the manufactures of France., The con course of people at this fair in ordinary times is said to exceed 100,000. For their accom modation a supplemental town, regularly laid out in streets, is built of tents in a vast mea dow bordered with elm and plane trees, which extends between the Rhone and the ruins of the old castle. Here articles of every kind, whether of convenience or luxury, may be found; and in this city of canvas the main business of the fair is transacted. A tribunal
consisting of twelve members settles any dis putes between the buyers and sellers during the continuance of the fair. The prefect of Gard always attends and entertains the prin cipal merchants and strangers. The trans actions at this fair, which lasts two or three weeks, are said to cause en outlay of above 150 millions of francs, and to be so profitable to the good folks of Beaucaire, that when it terminates they resume the far ideate habits of the south, having gained in one month wherewith to take their ease during the rest of the year.
The ordinary commerce of the town consists of corn, flour, provision stores, wine, oak planks, &c. The principal manufactures are hosiery, serge, silk stuffs, olive oil, pottery, and leather. The Arles and Lyon steamboats land and take up passengers at Beaucaire.