Romanesque Architecture
a general term applied to the styles of architecture which prevailed from the 5th to the 12th centuries. Of these there are two divisions: (1) The debased Roman, prevalent from the 5th to the 11th centuries, and including the Byzantine modifications of the Romans, and (2) the neglect or misuse of grammatical the late or Gothic Romanesque of the 11th and 12th centuries, comprising the later Byzantine, the Lombard, and the Rhenish, Saxon, and Norman styles. The former is a pretty close imitation of the Roman, with modifications in the application and distribution of the peculiar features; the latter is Gothic in spirit, having a predominance of vertical lines, and various other new features.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Romans
EPISTLE TO THE, one of the books of the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul, and addressed to the Christian Church at Rome. It is the 5th in order of time, though placed first among the epistles, either from the predominance of Rome, or because it is the longest and most comprehensive of the apostle's epistles. It is generally agreed to have been written about A. D. 58. That it is the genuine and authentic production is supported by the strongest evidence. It was written from Corinth, and sent to Rome by one Phœbe, a servant or deaconess of the Church at Corinth. The occasion of it was, doubtless, the disputes that began to prevail among the Christians at Rome. The Church there was composed of both converted Jews and Gentiles. The Jews wished to impose on their Gentile fellow-worshipers many of the Mosaic rites and ceremonies. The Gentiles, on the other hand, despised the prejudices of the Jews; hence trouble arose.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Romansch
ROMANSH, or ROU- MANSCH, a dialect spoken in the Grisons of Switzerland. It is based on or corrupted from the Latin.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Romeo and Juliet
a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It was first published surreptitiously in 1597, and had been written probably several years before, perhaps as early as 1591. The story is of two noble Italian families, the Capulets and Montagues, who From ancient grudge break to new mutiny. Juliet, the daughter of Capulet, and Romeo, son of Montague, meet and fall in love. Their secret marriage, the command of Juliet's parents that she wed another, her plot to escape, the tragic death of both lovers leading to the reconciliation of the two families, are the events which follow one another in rapid succession. The plot is an old one. It has been used by many authors and playwrights and has been chosen often for operatic purposes. Shakespeare's version, however, is and will remain the most celebrated.
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Rona
an island with a lighthouse in the Inner Hebrides, between Skye and the mainland of Scotland, 4% miles long, 1 broad. It is extremely barren and of unattractive aspect. Also the name of a small island with remains of an ancient oratory, 44 miles N. E. of the Butt of Lewis.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Rondeau
or RONDO, a kind of poetry which returns, as it were, to the same point, or in which part is repeated, thus containing a refrain. In French poetry, the rondeau is a little composiinfopres, divided into three five 13 verses, unlines masculine and five feminine, or vice versa). The first two or three words of the first verse serve as the burden, and recur in that shape after the 8th and 13th verses. There are also double rondeaux and single rondeaux; the latter an obsolete but easier kind of verse. In music, a light form of composition, in which the subject or theme returns frequently; it usually forms the last movement of a symphony or sonata.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ronsard
PIERRE DE, a French poet; born in Vendomois, France, Sept. 11, 1524. At the age of 12 he became page to the Duc d'Orleans; and in 1537 he accompanied James V. of Scotland and his bride, Madeleine of France, back to their kingdom. He also spent six months at the English English court, and after his return to France in 1540 was employed in a diplomatic capacity in Germany, Piedmont, Flanders, and Scotland. He was compelled, however, by deafness to abandon the diplomatic career; and he devoted himself to literary studies and became the chief of the band of seven poets afterward known as the "Pléiade." Ronsard's popularity and prosperity during his life were very great. Henry II., Francis II., and Charles IX. esteemed him, and the last bestowed several abbacies and priories on the poet. His writings consist of sonnets, odes, hymns, eclogues, elegies, satires, and a fragment of an epic poem, "La Franciade." He died at Tours, in December, 1585.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Rood
a cross or crucifix; specifically, a representation of the crucified Saviour, or, more generally, of the Trinity, placed in Catholic churches over the altar screen, hence termed the rood screen. The cross displayed the three persons of the Trinity, ty, the Son being represented as crucified. Generally figures of the Virgin and St. John were placed at a slight distance on each side of the principal group, in reference to John xix: 26. See ROD.
HENRY, an essayist and editor, born in Philadelphia, 1867. From 1900 to 1910 he was assistant editor of "Harper's Magazine." ." He contributed short stories and essays on literary and economic topics to many of the leading magazines and was special correspondent for the New York "Sun," "Times," "Herald," and "Evening Post." He wrote, together with Colonel W. H. Crook, "Memories of the White House" (1911).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Roof
the external covering on the top of a building; sometimes of stone, but usually of wood overlaid with slates, tiles, lead, etc. The form and construction of the timber work of roofs differ materially according to the nature of the building on which it is to be placed, and any attempt to notice all the varieties would far exceed the limits of this work. The main parts of the framing, which in most cases are placed at regular intervals, are each called a truss, principal, or pair of principals; these, in ornamental open roofs, are the leading features, and in some ancient roofs are contrived with an especial view to appearance. A king-post roof has one vertical post in each truss, a queen-post roof has two. Since the introduction of iron in the construction of roofs, spaces of almost any width can be roofed over. Also that which resembles, or corresponds with, the cover of a building; as, the roof of the mouth, the roof of the firmament, etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia