a black, smooth, glossy stone, used to examine the purity of metals. The ancients called it *lapis Lydus*, the Lydian stone, from the name of the country whence it was originally brought.

Any piece of pebble or black flint will answer the purposes of the best lapis lydus of Asia. Even a piece of glass made rough with emery is used with success, to distinguish true gold from such as is counterfeit; both by the metallic colour and the test of aquafortis. The true touchstone is of a black colour, and is not uncommon in many parts of the world.

**TOUCHWOOD.** See BOLETUS, BOTANY Index.

**TOULON,** a celebrated city and seaport of France, in that part of the late province of Provence which is now denominated the department of the Var. It is a very ancient place, having been founded, according to the common opinion, by a Roman general. It is the chief town of the department, and before the great revolution in 1789 was an episcopal see. The inhabitants are computed at 80,000. It is divided into the Old Quarter and the New Quarter. The first, which is very ill built, has nothing remarkable in it but the Rue aux Arbres, the Tree-Street, which is a kind of course or mall, and the town-house; the gate of this is surrounded by a balcony, which is supported by two termini, the masterpieces of the famous Puget. The New Quarter, which forms as it were a second city, contains beside the magnificent works constructed in the reign of Louis XIV., many fine houses (among which that of the late seminary merits beyond comparison the preference) and a grand oblong square, lined with trees, and serving as a parade.

The Merchants Haven, along which extends a noble quay, on which stands the town-house, is protected by two moles, begun by Henry IV. The New Haven was constructed by Louis XIV., as were the fortifications of the city. In the front of this haven is an arsenal, containing all the places necessary for the construction and fitting out of vessels: the first object that appears is a rope-walk, entirely arched, extending as far as the eye can reach, and built after the designs of Vauban: here cables are made, and above is a place for the preparation of hemp. Here likewise is the armory for muskets, pistols, halberds, &c. In the park of artillery are cannon placed in piles, bombs, grenades, mortars, and balls of various kinds, ranged in wonderful order. The long sail-room, the foundry for cannon, the dockyards, the bafons, &c. are all worthy of observation.

Both the Old and New Port have an outlet into the spacious outer road or harbour, which is surrounded by hills, and formed by nature almost circular. Its circuit is of very great extent, and the entrance is defended on both sides by a fort with strong batteries. In a word, the bafons, docks, and arsenal, at Toulon, warranted the remark of a foreigner that visited them in the late reign, that "the king of France was greater there than at Versailles." Toulon is the only mart in the Mediterranean for the re-exportation of the products of the East Indies.

This place was destroyed toward the end of the tenth century, and pillaged by the African pirates almost as soon as rebuilt. The constable of Bourbon, at the head of the Imperial troops, obtained possession of it in 1524, as did Charles V. in 1536; but in the next century Charles Emanuel duke of Savoy could not enter it, and Prince Eugene in 1707 ineffectually laid siege to it. This city was surrendered by the inhabitants in September 1793 to the British admiral Lord Hood, as a condition and means of enabling them to effect the re-establishment of monarchy in France, according to the constitution of 1789. Lord Hood accordingly, in conjunction with the Spanish land and naval forces, took possession of the harbour and forts in trust for Louis XVII. It was garrisoned for some time by the British troops, and their allies the Spaniards, Neapolitans, and Sardinians; but the French having laid siege to it, the garrison was obliged to evacuate the place in the month of December following, after having destroyed the grand arsenal, two ships of 84 guns, eight of 74, and two frigates; and carried off the Commerce de Marseilles, a ship of 120 guns, with an 80 and 74 gun ship. This exploit was most gallantly performed, after it was found impossible to defend the town, or to carry off the ships. Lord Hood entrusted the management of the affair to Sir Sydney Smith, so distinguished for his intrepidity. Captain Hare commanded the fireship which was towed into the grand arsenal; and so eager was he to execute his orders, that instead of setting fire to the train in the usual cautious manner, he fired a pistol loaded with powder into the bowl of the train, composed of 36 pounds of powder, and other combustibles. The consequence was, he was blown into the water with such violence, as to knock a lieutenant of the Victory's boat overboard, and narrowly escaped with his life. A Spanish captain was appointed to set fire to the small arsenal, but cowardice prevented him from executing his orders; and this is the reason why the whole French ships were not destroyed. We have been favoured with this account by an officer of the British fleet.

Toulon is seated on a bay of the Mediterranean, 17 leagues south-east of Aix, 15 south-east of Marseilles, and 217 south-east of Paris. E. Long. 5° 56' N. Lat. 43° 7'.

**TOULOUSE,** a very ancient city of France, in the department of Upper Garonne, and late province of Languedoc, with an archbishop's see. It is the most considerable city in France next to Paris and Lyons, although its population bears no proportion to its extent. According to Mr Neckar's calculation, it contains 56,000 inhabitants. The streets are very handsome,