a town of Barbary, pleasantly situated about 11 miles from the city of Tunis, and two from Mocha the site of ancient Carthage. The bey has here two country houses, one of them very costly work, built by Hassan Bey surnamed 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 coffee-house, 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; inhaling the comfortable sea breeze that refreshes this delightful spot. The water is drawn up by a camel with the Persian wheel.

There are the remains of an ancient port, or cethon, (supposed to be an artificial one), built by the Carthaginians after Scipio had blocked up the old port, nothing 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.