[Illustration: FIG. 63. STE MARTHE, TARASCON.] reconstructed in the fourteenth century, and is of the usual Southern plan with Gothic details. The south porch of the twelfth century church however still exists, and is a very beautiful example of the Provençal style (Fig. 63). In general character it corresponds with the finer instances we shall meet with at Arles and St Gilles, although on a reduced scale. The round and octagonal nook shafts have caps partly copied from the Corinthian, and partly carved with Romanesque figures. The numerous fine mouldings of the arch contain a curious mixture of Roman and Mediæval ornaments, in the classic egg combined with the Gothic dog-tooth enrichments. The small arcade above, with alternate fluted pilasters and round shafts, all finished with enriched caps resting on a cornice supported on carved heads, have an advanced Romanesque character. This church is dedicated to Martha, the sister of Mary, who along with Lazarus and other primitive saints, are traditionally supposed to have converted the south of Gaul to Christianity. Martha is said to have endeared herself to the people of Tarascon, by delivering the town from the power of a hideous dragon, which feat is celebrated annually by an extraordinary procession, in which the _Tarasque_ (a pantomimic dragon) makes a great figure, followed by representatives of all the members of the holy family, and attended by multitudes of people. The Castle of Tarascon (Fig. 64) stands on a rock which rises but little above the level of the river. Begun by Louis II. of Provence in the fourteenth century, it was finished by King René in the fifteenth. It is now a prison, so that the interior is not easily accessible. There is here a curious mixture of the Southern square tower with the Northern round form, while the smaller details are all of the Northern Gothic style. The general [Illustration: FIG. 64. CASTLE OF TARASCON.] effect is fine, although somewhat heavy, and the details of the entrance gateway, with its separate drawbridges for carriages and foot passengers, and its ornamental parapet and corbels are particularly noteworthy. [Illustration: FIG. 65. HOUSE IN TARASCON.] Tarascon has some good bits of architecture in its narrow but somewhat picturesque streets,--the winding stair and projecting turret being very effectively treated in one instance (Fig. 65). The gateway of the town (Fig. 66) on the east is also simple but good, and quite Northern in style, having two round towers flanking the entrance archway.