(the ancient Lilybeum), a seaport of Sicily, in the province of Trapani, is situated on the low promontory of Cape Boeo, on the W. of the island, 18 miles S.S.W. of Trapani. The town is of a square form, and surrounded by old fortifications, which, though at present neglected, might easily be rendered capable of defence. The ancient harbour was good, but is now filled up, and the present one is about a mile S. of the town. Marsala is traversed by a straight and broad street, called the Cassaro, in which stands a large cathedral, with sixteen handsome Corinthian columns of marble. The town has sixteen other churches, many convents, three abbeys, a gymnasium, seminary, hospital, &c. Among the curiosities of the place may be mentioned an old castle, a church with a tower which perceptibly vibrates by the ringing of the bell, and a few remains of aqueducts and tombs of ancient date. The harbour was so highly esteemed by the Saracens as to have received from them the name of Morsa Alla (the Harbour of God). In modern times Marsala derives its chief importance from its trade in the wine grown in the neighbourhood, which is much prized. The quantity produced in the neighbourhood is calculated to amount to 30,000 pipes, of which about two-thirds are exported principally to England, the United States, and the West Indies. Small quantities of corn, cattle, oil, &c., are also exported from Marsala. Pop. about 21,000.

MARDSDEN, WILLIAM, an eminent oriental scholar, was the son of a merchant in Dublin, and was born in 1754. After studying at Trinity College in that city, he obtained an appointment in the civil service of the East India Company, and set sail for Bengoolen, Sumatra, in 1771. There he soon rose to the office of principal secretary to the government, and was at the same time intent on acquiring that intimacy with the Malay language, and that knowledge of the country, which were afterwards the sources of his literary reputation. Returning to England in 1779 with a pension, he retired into literary seclusion; and in 1782 produced The History of Sumatra. Marsden was appointed in 1795 second secretary, and in course of time first secretary, to the Admiralty. In 1807 he retired again into private life, and devoting himself to study, published in 1812 his Grammar and Dictionary of the Malay language, and in 1817 his translation of the Travels of Marco Polo. A pension of L1,500, which he had received on his retirement from office, he voluntarily resigned in 1831 for the behoof of the public. In 1834 he presented his rich collection of Marseille, oriental coins to the British Museum, and his library of books and oriental MSS. to King's College. He died of apoplexy in October 1836. Marsden's other works are—Numismata Orientalia (Eastern Coins), 4to, London, 1823-25; Catalogue of Dictionaries, Vocabularies, Grammars, and Alphabets, 4to, London, 1796; and several papers touching the language, manners, and antiquities of the East, in the Philosophical Transactions and the Archaeologia.