MARSH-WREN. 105 MARS-LA-TOUR. ners, and rippling prattliiij,' sutig. They con- struct large gluljular nests, suspended aiiiung the reeds, woven of grass-l)lades and entered by a little hole in the side. As often happens among other wrens (q.v.), many more nests will be built each season than there are pairs in the lo- cality, some of which may be utilized as sleeping- places by the cock birds. The nests of the two species are much alike, but the eggs are very distinet, those of the long-billed being dark eliocolate in color, while those of the short- billed are pure white, MAR'SI. An ancient tribe of Central Italy, inhabiting the district around Lake Fueinus ( Lago di Celano, now drained). Their origin, like that of other Italian tribes, is involved in obscurity and iiction. They were probably of Sabine origin, but spoke a dialect akin to the Latin. They are worthy of notice chiefly on ac- count of their warlike spirit. The Marsians were at one time allies of tlie Romans, but in B.C. 308 they revolted and joined the Samnites. After being subdued they again ( n.c. 301) shook off the alliance of Rome, but were beaten in the field, and lost several of their fortresses. From this time tlicy continued the firm allies of Rome, con- tributing by their valor to her triumphs until the Italians were aroused in B.C. 91 to demand a re- dress of their wrongs and a share in the ])rivi- leges of Roman citizens. A war ensued, generally known as the Social War, but frequently called the Marsic War, because the Marsi were promi- nent among the malcontents. Their leader was Pompaedius Silo. Though they were often de- feated, the perseverance of the allies gained the object for which they had taken up arms in B.C. 87. The Marsians, inhabiting a moun- tainous district, were simple and temperate in their habits, but hardy, brave, and un- yielding. So marked was their valor that there was a proverbial saying recorded by Ap- pian, "that Rone had achieved no triumph orcr the Marsi, or u-it)iout the Marsi." The ancient Marsi were represented as enchanters, able to tame serpents and to heal their bites ; and it is worthy of note that the jugglers who now amuse the people by handling serpents are natives of the region in the vicinity of Lago di Celano. Their only important town was Marruvium (San . Benedetto), the ruins of which are visible on the east shore of the lake. MARSICK, mar'sik', M.rtin' Pierre JosEPir ( IS4S— ). A Belgian violinist and teacher, born at Jupille, near Li&ge. His earliest professional instniction was at the Desire-Heynberg Conser- vatory at Li6ge. His musical precocity was such that at twelve years of age he was organist of the Lifege Cathedral. At seventeen years of age he became a pupil of Leonard at the Brussels Conservatory, and a year later entered the Paris Conservatory, where he studied under Massenet, and won the first prize for violin-playing. He completed his student course under .Joachim at Berlin, and in 1873 made a very successful debut at the 'Concerts populaires.' He became a mem- ber of the faculty of the Paris Conservatory in 1892. succeeding JIassart as professor of violin. His compositions are almost entirely for the violin, and are very popular nn the French con- cert platform. Tn 180.5-00 he toured the T'nitcd States, and confirmed the reputation that had preceded him. MARSIGLI, marsO'ly.-. Ll i(,i (c.13.30-94) . An Italian humanist. He was bom at Florence and there entered an Augustinian convent, San Spirito. He studied theology at Paris, on the advice of Petrarch, who wisheil him to become a Christian champion against the Averrhoists. San Spirito under Marsigli became a society for classical study and discussion ; among its mem- bers was Coluccio Salutatio. Marsigli was em- ployed in several diplomatic errands by the city of Florence. His manuscript comments on Pe- trarch's poems were preserved at the Laurentian Library. • MARSIGLI, niar-se'l3-e, Luigi Feruinaxdo, Count ( l(ir)8-1730). An Italian soldier and schol- ar, born at Bologna. He served as a common sol- dier in the Austrian army, and obtained the rank of general. But after the fall of Altbreisach ( 1703) , where he was second in command, he was degraded by court-martial, and was never en- tirely reinstated, though generally considered in- nocent. After this event, Marsigli devoted him- self to .scientific explorations, and founded the Institute of Science and Arts at Bologna ( 1714). In connection with it he established a press for printing its reports. His works include: Osser- vazione intorno al Bosforo tracio (1G81) ; Storia del mare (1711); Danubius Pannonico-Mysicus (1726); and Stato militare deW iniperio otto- mnno (1732). MARSIGLIO, milr-se'Iyo. See IMarsilius. MARSIL'IUS, or MARSIGLIO, of P. rA (c.l280c.l343) . A Christian polemic. He was born in Padua, and studied medicine there. Later he taught philosophy at Paris and became rector of the university in 1312. There between 1324 and 1326 he produced, in conjunction with John of Jandun, the treatise on jurisprudence which gives him his lasting fame, the Defensor Pacts, an arraignment of the 'usurpations,' as he terms them, of the Roman pontiff. The way to peace, he maintains, is for the spiritual power to give up its claim to rule the temporal power. He argues for a virtual separation of Church and State, and pleads in singularly modern language for religious liberty. He denies the right of the Church to punish heresy. His book was printed and published at Basel (1522). The anonymous editor was probably the printer Valentinus Cu- rius, though some think he was Huldreich Zwingli. It was translated by William Marshall (London, 1553). MARSIPOBRANCHII, mar'sIp-6-hran'ki i. A class of fish-like animals, the lampreys, with a cartilaginous skeleton and the skull im])erfectly developed. See Ctclostomi. MARSIVAN, niiir'se-van'. A town of Asa. Jlinor in tlie Vilayet of Sivas, situated among gardens and vinevards 56 miles south of the Black Sea (Map: turkey in Asia F 2). It is the seat of . atolia College, also of a Protestant theological seminary, as well as .Tesuit and .Ar- menian schools. In the neighborhood are a sil- ver mine and hot mineral springs. It is a pros- perous town with a population of about 15.000. MARS-LA-TOUR. miirs'hVtoor'. A village of Fiance. 12 miles from Metz. on the route be- tween that city and Venlun (Alap: France. M 2). It is noted for the bloody battle which took place there between the French and Cermans, .ugust
