of Lutetia. This was constructed on the E. slope of the 'Mont de Paris'
(p. 276) in the 2nd or 3rd cent, of our era. Its area (ca. 60 yds. by 50 yds.)
is small in comparison with other amphitheatres of that period. The tiers
of seats have been extensively restored. The space is surrounded by
gardens. Other fragments are preserved at the Muse'e Carnavalet (p. 181).

17. Quartier St. Germain.

The quarter on the left bank opposite the Louvre and the Tuil-
eries, within the 6th Arrondissement (Luxembourg) on the E. and
the 7th (Palais-Bourbon) on the W., is the residential centre of the
French noblesse, whose stately mansions are found principally in
the W. portion (p. 293). Until the end of the 17th cent, it lay out-
side the city-fortifications, which surrounded the Université only on
the left bank; and the name of Faubourg St. Germain dates from
that period.

The Pont des Arts (Pl. R. 20 ; IV), an iron bridge for foot-pas-
sengers only, constructed in 1802-4, marks the E. limit of the
Quartier St. Germain. It derives its name from the 'Palais des Arts',
as the Louvre was once called. It commands a fine view on both
sides. — On the right, between this bridge and the Pont du Carrousel
and as far as the Pont-Royal, extends the Port St. Nicolas, a quay
alongside which one or two merchant-vessels from Liverpool or
London are generally moored, representing the partial realization of
the commercial ideal of 'Paris a sea-port' ('Paris port de mer'); comp.
also p. 318. — On the other side of the bridge, to the left of the
Institut (see below), once stood the famous Tour de Nesle, which
tradition, unsupported by evidence, describes as the scene of the
blood-stained orgies of Margaret of Burgundy, wife of Louis X. (the
theme of Alex Dumas' popular drama 'La Tour de Nesle). A metal
plate at the corner of the W. wing of the Institute and the Quai de
Conti shows the plan of the tower.

The Institut de France (Pl. R, 20; IV), a somewhat clumsy
edifice, covered with a dome, is situated on the left bank of the
Seine, at the S. end of the Pont des Arts (Quai de Conti 23), and
opposite the Louvre. The crescent-shaped façade is flanked with
wings adorned with arcades. In front of the Corinthian portico
rises a Statue of the Republic, by Soitoux (1850). The institution
was originally founded by Cardinal Mazarin (d. 1661) for the educa-
tion of youths from the newly-acquired provinces of Roussillon,
Pignerol. Flanders, and Alsace, and was named the College Mazarin,
but was popularly known as the College des Quatre-Nations. During
the Revolution it was used as a prison, but in 1795 it was ceded by
the Convention to the Academies, or societies of savants, who had
hitherto met in the Louvre. Its name was then changed to the
Palais de l'Institut.

The Institut de France embraces five different academies : the
Académie Française, the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres,