MERSA, a town of Barbary, pleasantly situated
about 11 miles from the city of Tunis, and two from
Melcha the site of ancient Carthage. The bey has
here two country houses, one of them very costly work,
built by Hassan Bey furnished the Good. From
these are orange gardens reaching almost to the sea-
shore; on the edge of which is a famous well of sweet
water, esteemed the best and lightest in the kingdom.
Close to this is a coffeehouse, whither numbers of
people from the neighbouring places resort to drink
coffee, and a glass of this natural luxury so peculiarly
enjoyed in the eastern countries. In the middle of
the court is a large mulberry tree, under the shade of
which they sit and smoke and play at chess; inha-
biting the comfortable sea breeze that refreshes this de-
lightful spot. The water is drawn up by a camel with
the Persian wheel.
There are the remains of an ancient port, or cothon,
(supposed to be an artificial one), built by the Cartha-
ginians after Scipio had blocked up the old port, no
thing but the turret or lighthouse being left.
MERS or MERSE, a county of Scotland, called also
Berwickshire. This last name it derives from the town
of Berwick, which was the head of the shire before it
fell into the hands of the English, and obtained the
appellation of Mers or March, because it was one of
the borders towards England. See BERWICK, County
of.