philospher, and the most learned man of Lines on, by T. Moore, 311. BA'SHAN. In scriptural geography, the BAYONET, SO called from having been first BAYS, the plural of bay, the laurel-tree; ap- BEADLE (from the root of to bid), a messen- BEGUINE. The Beguines were a class of BELVIDERE (from the Lat. bellus, fine, and fit. BENGAL' (the a as in fall) is the most east- BERESINA (Bĕr-e ze'na), a river of Russia. The Passage of, by the French, 326. BILLETS, pieces of wood, cut with a bill, or BIVOUAC (biv'wak). This word is derived BODLEIAN. The library of Oxford, England, BONAPARTE, Napoleon, was born in Corsica, An Early Riser, 226. Character of, by Lamartine, 393. BONUS, a premium for a privilege. Books. The inner bark of trees #38 ope used for writing on. In England, many hundred years ago, people used to write upon the bark of the beech-tree, which they called buc. We have not changed the word much. See Library. Thoughts on Books, 397. BOOM (from the Danish bomme, a drum), to mak: a noise like the roar of the waves, or a distant gun. BOONS (from the Lat. bonus, or Fr. bon), a gist, a favor. BOULOGNE (Boo-lōn'), a seaport of France on the English Channel. BOUQUET (boo-ka), a nosegay. Bow, the curved part of a ship forward. When it has this meaning it is pronounced so as to rhyme with cow. BOWRING, John, his translation of Derzhavin's ode, 153. True Courage, by, 242. BRAHMIN, the highest or priestly class, among the Hindoos. BRAVE MAN, The, translated from the German of Burger, 165. BRAZIER, an artificer in brass. BREWSTER, Sir David, an eminent philosopher of Scotland, b. 1781. He was the inventor of that optical toy, the Kaleido Scope. Barbarism of War, by, 303. BRIDEWELL, a house of correction for disorderly persons; so called from the palace near Bridget's well in London, which was turned into a work-house. BROOKE, Henry, The Lion, &c., by, 139. BROOKS, C. T., Translations by, 83, 412. BROUGHAM, Henry, Lord, distinguished as a statesman, man of letters, and philosopher; born in Scotland." He entered Parliament in 1810. On Science, by, 441. The Schoolmaster Abroad, by, 269. On the Pleasures of Science, 441. BROWNE, J. R., The Whale Chase, by, 400. BRUCE, Robert, one of the most heroic of the Scottish kings, and the deliverer of Scotland from the English yoke; b. 1274, d. 1329. BRUIN, a familiar name given to the bear, from the Fr. brun, brown. BRUTUS, Lucius Junius, known as the first Brutus, received his surname of Brutus, or brute, from feigning idiocy in order to escape the tyranny of Tarquin, a king of ancient Rome, Lucretia, a lady of great purity, having been grossly abused by Sextus Tarquin, Brutus threw off his pretended idiocy, and roused the Romans to expel their king and establish a republic. As consul, he afterwards sentenced his two sons to death for crimes against their country. See p. 308. Marcus Junius Brutus, celebrated by Shakspeare, was a descendant of the first Brutus, 350. BRYANT, Wm. Cullen, an eminent American poet, b. in Cummington, Mass., No7. 3, was very methodical in his time; but there is not much to praise in his private char acter. 226. Buoy (from bois, the French for wood), a piece of wood floating on the water, to in dicate shoals, &c. The adjective buoyant has the same origin. BUROER, Godfrey Augustus, b. 1748, d. 1794: a German poet, celebrated for his spirited ballads. The Brave Man, by, 165. BURKE, Edmund, a writer, orator, and statesman, of great eminence. Born in Ireland, 1780; died 1797. He was one of the greatest masters of English style; an amiable and religious man in private life, and exemplary in his domestic and social duties. See character of, by Hazlitt, and Grattan, 245, 246. Extracts from his Speeches, 146, 268, 269. BURNET, Gilbert, Bishop of Salisbury, was born in Scotland, 1643; d. 1714. He was the author of a History of the Reformation. 226. BURRINGTON, E. H., Lines by, 264. BURTON, W., Learning to Write, 87. BUSHMEN. A name given by the Dutch colonists to some roaming tribes akin to the Hottentots, in the vicinity of the Cape of Good Hope. They are of a dark copper complexion, and small in stature. So deep are they sunk in barbarism, as to be unacquainted even with the construction of huts or tents, 119. By and By. The proverb, p. 64, T 2, is directed against the habit of procrastination; of putting off what ought be done at once till "by and by." BYRON, Lord George Gordon, an English The Guilty Conscience, 258. A Storm on the Mountains, 333. CABINET, in politics, the governing council of a country; so called from the cabinet or apartment in which the Chief Magistrate transacts public business, and assembles his privy council. In the United States the members of the President's Cabinet are the Secretaries of State, of the Treasury, of War, of the Navy, the Interior, the Postmaster General, and the Attorney General. CADI (in Arabic, a judge). The Turks style their inferior judges Cadi. CA'LYX, a Greek word, signifying a cup. It is the name given by botanists to the outermost of the enveloping organs of a flower. CALABRIA, the southern part of the kingdom of Naples; traversed throughout by the Apennine Mountains. Adventure in Calabria, 305. CAMERA Obscura, or Dark Chamber, is an optical apparatus, by which the images of external objects are thrown on a white surface, and represented in a vivid manner in their proper colors, shapes, &c. CAMILLA, n ancient mythology, one of the swift-footed servants of Diana, accustomed to the chase and to war. CAMPAGNA (kam-pan'-ya, the a pronounced like a in father), a term applied to the low lands of the Tiber about Rome in Italy. The word simply means a flat, open country. The Roman Campagna is quite unhealthy at certain seasons. CAMPBELL, Thomas, a great lyrical poet (see Lyrical), was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1777; died 1844. He wrote his fine poem of "The Pleasures of Hope" when only twenty-two years of age. Fr. "Pleasures of Hope," 309, 412, 310. Lord Ullin's Daughter, 276. CANAAN (Ca'nan), all that tract of land, on each side of the Jordan in Palestine, which God gave for an inheritance to the children of Israel. CANA RIES, thirteen islands in the Atlantic Ocean, about sixty miles from the west coast of North Africa; known to the ancients as the Fortunate Isles. They were re-discovered in 1402, and seized by the Spaniards in 1420, who planted vines there. The canary-bird is a native of these isles. CANDOR, from the Latin word canderë, to be white, to shine, to glitter; hence sincerity, purity. The word candle is of the same genealogy. CANDLES, candlestick. See Candor. CAN'NIBAL, a person that devours human flesh. The word is probably of Indian origin. CANNING, George, a highly accomplished orator and writer, born in London in 1770, died in 1827. See p. 270. CAPACITY (from the L. capio, I hold, or take), the power of containing or taking. CAPE (from the L. caput, the head), a point or head of land projecting from the mainland into a sea or lake. CARICATURE (from the Italian caricare, to charge, to load), a distorted, exaggerated likeness of any thing or person. CARLYLE, Thomas, an eccentric writer, born in Scotland in 1796. His style, at first simple and eloquent, latterly became affected and grotesque, though often vigor ous. The Sword and Press, by, 255. CARNIVAL (from two Latin words, carni and vale, meaning, farewell to flesh), a festival celebrated with merriment and revelry in Roman Catholic countries, during the week before Lent. CARNIVOROUS, feeding on flesh. CARRIER-PIGEON, The, a poem by Moore, 137. The carrier-pigeon flies at an elevated pitch, in order to surmount every obstacle between her and the place to which she is destined. CASHIER (Fr. casser, to break), to dismiss from service. CASTLE-BUILDING, forming visionary projeets; building "castles in the air," 71 CASTLE of Indolence, the title of a celebrated poem by Thomson, written in the manner of Spenser, and containing many obsolete words. CASS, LEWIS, On Labor, 427. CATACOMBS (from the Greek words, kata, down, and kumbos, a hollow), a cave for the burial of the dead. CATILINE, a Roman of great talents, but dissolute habits. He conspired against his country, and was denounced by Cicero in his most celebrated oration. CATSKILL Mountains are in the vicinity of Catskill, Green county, N. Y., on the Hudson. They received their name from the great number of catamounts formerly killed there, 111. CAVERN by the Sea, The, 183. CECILIA. There are several saints of this name in the Catholic church. The most celebrated, who has been erroneously regarded as the inventress of the organ, suffered martyrdom A. D. 220. How Cecilia came to be the patron-saint of music is not agreed. Ode on Cecilia's Day, 416. CENIS, Mount, a mountain of the Alps in Savoy. It is eight thousand six hundred and seventy feet above the level of the sea. CENTURY (from the Latin centum, a hundred), in a general sense, anything consisting of a hundred parts; a period of a hundred years. CHALMERS, Thomas, a celebrated Scotch divine, born 1780, died 1847. Planets and Heavenly Bodies, 224. Kindness to Brute Animals, 195. CHANNING, Wm. Ellery, a celebrated American clergyman and writer, born at Newport, R. I., 1780; died 1842. On the Teacher's Calling, 186. CHATHAM, Wm. Pitt, Earl of (or Lord), was one of the greatest orators and statesmen of England, and a stanch friend of the American colonies in their difficulties with the British government. He was born 1708, died 1778. Described by Hazlitt, Grattan, 245, 6. On Taxing America, 267. CHA-ME-LEON, a species of lizard, found in Asia and Africa. It has the remarkable power of changing its color, producing a succession of rich and varied tints over the whole body. On this peculiarity Merrick's admirable fable (see p. 413) is foundedi. CHAPMAN, a trafficker, a cheapener. CHAPS (chops), the mouth of a beast. CHAPTER (from the Lat. caput, a head), a division of a book or treatise; as Genesis contains fifty chapters. CHARLATAN, a quack; from an Italian word, meaning to prate. CHARLEMAGNE (Shǎr-le-man), King of the Franks, and subsequently Emperor of the West, was born 742, died 814. His name means Charles the Great. Although he did not know how to write, he was a friend to learning. See p. 395. CHARLES the Twelfth of Sweden; born 1682; killed by a cannon-ball, 1718. He was a military hero, who was lavish of human blood whenever his selfishness or ambition was to be gratified. CHICANERY (she-kan-er-y), trickery, by which a cause is delayed or perplexed. CHILLON (Shillong), 142. See Bonnivard. CHIROGRAPHY (kirog'rafy), the art of writing; from the Gr. cheir, the hand, and grapho, I write. CHOCK, a wedge used to secure anything with, or for anything to rest on. The long-boat, when it is stowed, rests on two large chocks. CHORUS, a number of singers; verses of a song, in which all present join. CHRISTENDOM, all the countries of the world, the people of which profess Christianity. CHRISTIANITY, Obligations to, 313. CHRONOMETER (Gr. chronos, time, and metros, measure), an instrument to measure time with great exactness. CHUM, a chamber-fellow. CICERO, the most famous of Roman orators; born 106 B. C., murdered by soldiers 43 B. C. Compared with Demosthenes, 243. Extract from, 267. CINCINNATUS, a consul of ancient Rome; he was repeatedly taken from his plough and farm to assume the highest offices of the state. A society of American revolutionary officers took their name from him, calling themselves Cincinnati, whence the great city of Ohio has its CLIFF (now generally spelt clef), a charac ter in music; from the L. clavis, a key. CODE. With the ancient Romans that part of the wood of a tree next to the bark was called codex; and the laws written on this wood, smeared with wax, took its name; whence is our word code, a collection of laws. COGNAC (kōn-yak), a French brandy. COLERIDGE, Samuel Taylor, an English poet and philosopher, b. 1770, d. 1843. Translation from Schiller, by, 343. COLOSSAL, gigantic, like a Colossus; an ancient statue of Apollo, which stood across the entrance of the harbor at Rhodes, being so called. It was of brass, one hundred and five feet high, so that ships could pass under its legs. COLOSSEUM (col-os-se'um), The, 386. COLLINS, Wm., an English poet, b. 1720, d. 1756. His odes, written when he was quite young, show great genius. Ode to the Passions, 402. COLUMBUS, Christopher, was born at Genoa, 1437; died 1506. See America. COMBUSTIBLE, capable of burning. COMET (from the Gr. kome, hair), a celes tial body, with a luminous train. COMMONS. In countries having kings and nobles, the common people, or their representatives, are thus called. COMPANION (from the Lat. commu'nis, common, and panis, bread), literally, one with whom we share bread. CON'CAVE, hollow; opposed to convex, spherical. CONCIERGERIE (kon-se-airzh'-re), the name of a prison in Paris. CONCISE (from the Lat. conci'do, to cat down), brief, containing few words. CONCRETE (Lat. concres-ce-re, to grow together, to coalesce in one mass). As an adj., formed by coalition of separate particles in one body. In logic, existing in a subject; not abstract; as the white snow. As a noun, a compound, a mass formed by concretion. CONFUSED. As used by Heywood, p. 294, the accent is on the first syllable. In his day, usage had not settled the accent of a large class of English words. CONGREVE, WM., an English dramatist and poet, b. 1672, d. 1729. His reputation, very great in his day, has deservedly dwindled. The Preacher who Failed, &c., 286. CONJURE; when it means to call on solemnly (as on p. 372), the accent is on the last syllable; when it means to affect by magic, or to practise the arts of a conjurer, the accent is on the first syllable. CONSCIENCE; derivation explained, 125. CONSENTANEOUS, agreeing, accordant. CONSONANTS; derivation of, &c., 15, 16, 21. CONSTANCE', a lake between Germany and Switzerland, ten leagues long, and three in its greatest breadth. CONSTELLATION (from the Latin con, together, and stella, a star), a group or cluster of fixed stars. CONTEM PLATE. The Lat. word templum, a temple, a place set apart for meditation, enters into the derivation of this word. CONTEMPORARY, sometimes written cotemporary (from the Lat. con, together, and tempus, time); living at the same time. CONTENT (from con, and teneo, I hold). He who is content is literally one who contains; who holds enough; satisfied. CONTINENT (Lat. continens, containing), that which contains or holds; hence, in geography, a great extent of land not disjoined by the sea. The word is much used by British writers to signify the countries of Europe other than Great Britain and Ireland. CONTRARY. This word should not be used as if the same in meaning as opposite. "Opposites" complete, while "contraries" exclude each other. Opposite qualities may meet in a person, but not contrary. CONVERSATION SPOILERS, 248. COPSE (from the Gr. kopto, I fell, cut down), a wood of small growth, because of being cut. CORDUROY, a thick cotton stuff, corded or ribbed. CORONACH (kor'-o-nak), a wild expression of lamentation among the Scotch Highlanders; poured forth by mourners over the dead body of a friend, 258. CORNUCOPIA (L. cornu, a horn, copia, plenty), the horn of plenty. CORREI (kor ray), the hollow side of the hill, where game usually lies. CORTEGE (kor-tā'zjh), a train, a retinue. COTERIE (ko-te-ree'), a set, clan, circle of people. COTTLE, JOSEPH, a publisher and author, of Bristol, Eng. His tribute to Henderson, p. 167. COULTER (kōl'ter), the sharp iron of a plough. It is from the Latin culter, a plough-share, which is from colo, I culti vate. COUP-DE-MAIN (koo-duhr-măng'), a bold stroke; literally a hand-stroke. COURAGE, from the Lat. cor, the heart the heart being the seat of courage, 242. COURIER, PAUL LOUIS, a witty French writer, born 1773, assassinated 1825. An Adventure in Calabria, 305. COWPER, WM., one of the truest and best of English poets, was born 1731, died 1800. Ode to Peace, 137. Reciprocal Kindness, 197. Extracts from, 177, 248, 311, 410, 414. CRABBE, REV. GEORGE, a very original Engush poet; b. 1754, d. 1832. His descriptions of life among the poor are severely true. Practical Charity, by, 257 CRAVEN, a coward; from to crave, because supposed to crave his life. CREASY, E. S., on Demosthenes, 343. CROLY, REV. GEORGE, a poet of great ele gance and power of diction, born in Ireland about 1790. Extract from, 283. CROMWELL, OLIVER, one of the greatest characters in English history; born 1599 died 1658. Being elected to Parliament, he attached himself to the Puritaus, became one of the principal leaders against King Charles I., and joined in bringing that monarch to the block. As a military leader, he obtained important victories, which placed him at the summit of power, so that he dissolved the Long Parliament (see p. 283), and, ia 1653, assuined the supreme authority in England, under the title of Lord Protector. At one period of his life he was on the point of emigrating to Massachusetts. CRUCIFIX (from the Lat. cruci, to a cross, and fixi, I have fixed), a cross on which the body of Christ is fixed in effigy. CUMBER, perplexity, distress. CUMBERLAND, RICHARD, a miscellaneous writer, b. in England 1732, d. 1811. Affectation, by, 144. CURFEW (from the French couvre-feu, cover fire), a bell anciently rung at eight o'clock in the evening, when people were obliged to extinguish their fires and lights; accidents from fire being then very frequent and fatal, as houses were built mostly of wood. King Alfred once ordained that, at the ringing of the Curfew, or Cover-fire, Bell, all the inhabitants of Oxford should cover up their fires and go to bed. "The curfew tolls the knell of parting day." See p. 272. There is no good authority for the punctuation which would here make tolls an intransitive verb. CURSES. The proverb (p. 64) simply means that the heart that can give vent to a curse against another is cursing itself most, by giving strength and development to evil and malignant feelings. CU'RULE (from the Lat. currus, a chariot). The curule chair, among the Romans, was a stool without a back, conveyed in a chariot, and used by public officers. CYCLE, a circle; in chronology, a periodical space of time. CYLINDER, a long, circular body, of uniform diameter. Adj., cylindrical. DAFFODILS (Gr. asphodelos), a species of Narcissus, with beautiful flowers of a deep yellow hue. It flowers in April or May. Some of the more hardy species grow wild. The Daffodils, a poem, 70. DAGUERREOTYPE (da-ger'ro-type), so called from M. Daguerre (dah-ghair), a French artist, who gave publicity to his invention in 1839. An apparatus somewhat similar to his was contrived about the same time by M. Niepci, also a Frenchman, with whom the honor should be partially shared. See p. 379. |