74 The spirit of life... O, Marseille, on such a day appreciate you, we need to delve into your old history books and dig deep to reach the roots of your civilization which has been a beacon of learning and culture. O, Marseille! You are not foreign to science and technology. Your records tell us about the Body of Surgeons that in 1769 became an institute incorporating a school for commercial naval surgeons. In 1818, you established a School of Medicine that included six specialists. In astronomy, the scientist, Lavel, managed to convince his fellow colleagues to establish an astronomical station annexed to St Croix Institute. Other scientists who excelled in their own fields were Charles Plumier in Botany, and Bartholon in Chemistry. Marseille! At one time, you had your most distinguished of academies for music, arts, peinture, sculpture and architecture. Your theatres were also in abundance and the renowned Le Rideau Gris of Louis Ducreux performed 52 plays between 1931 – 1934. You also had your Opera Municipal. In cinema and theatre, Marseille’s name is connected to the name of the most renowned and creative Marcel Pagnol (18951974), who sung Marseille’s praises in picture and sound and together with his actor colleagues, his sarcastic performances filled our hearts with laughter and compassion.
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