Meilhac
HENRI (mā-yäk'), French playwright; born in Paris, MEILHAC, HENRI (mã-yäk'), a France, Feb. 23, 1831. He was trained as an artist and published his first dramatic work, in 1855. He subs produced a long series of light com France, Feb. 23, 1831. He was trained as an artist and published his first dra- matic work in 1855. He subsequently produced a long series of light comedies -some in conjunction with Halévy. Some are well known through Offen- bach's music. His best work is "Frou- Some are well known through Offenbach's music. His best work is "Frou- Frou" (1869). He died in Paris, July 6, 1897.
MEININGEN (min'ing-en), the capital of the former German duchy of Saxe- Meiningen, in a narrow valley on the banks of the Werra, 43 miles N. W. of Coburg. The former ducal castle (1682), the most prominent building in the town, contains libraries, a picture gallery, collection of coins, etc. There is a fine English garden here. The town has been in great part rebuilt since 1874, when a fire destroyed the old streets. It It was an appendage of the see of Würzburg from 1008 to 1542, and in 1583 came into the hands of the Saxon ducal family. Pop. about 17,000.
MEISSEN (mi'sen), a town in the former kingdom of Saxony, on the left bank of the Elbe, 14 miles N. W. of Dresden. Its chief building is the cathedral (1266-1479), one of the finest Gothic churches in Germany, surmounted by an hands of the Saxon ducal family. Pop. about 17,000. and containing many fine brasses. The castle was built in 1471-1483, and in 1710 was converted into the porcelain factory over which Böttger presided. In 1863 the castle was restored, its walls being churches in Germany, surmounted by an exquisite spire (263 feet) of open work, and containing many fine brasses. The castle was built in 1471-1483, and in 1710 was converted into the porcelain factory moved in 1860 to other premises; 800 men are employed. Other manufactures are iron, machinery, jute, and cigars. over which Böttger presided. In 1863 the castle was restored, its walls being adorned with frescoes by modern paint- ers, the porcelain factory having been removed in 1860 to other premises; 800 It was founded by Duke Maurice in 1543, and till 1879 occupied the former Afra monastery (built in 1205). Meissen was century for the cultivation of poetry. It theless, thoroughly original in their of enthusiastic imitators. He was likewise very successful as a designer are the sketches for "Paul and Virginia," treatment. His pictures, though generally of small size, obtained very large sums, and he stood at the head of a crowd book illustrations. The best of these last Balzac's novels, etc. He died in Paris, Jan. 31, 1891. r of MEISTERSINGERS (mis-), a society of German citizens formed in the 13th century for the cultivation of poetry. It is believed to have arisen at Mayence, whence it spread to Augsburg, Nuremberg, etc.
It was incorporated by Charles IV. in 1378. Among the most singers. Their poems were often satiric, famous of them were Hans Sachs, Henry singers. Their poems were often satiric, "Reynard the Fox" and "Tyl Owl-glass" the greatest river of the Siam peninsula usually identified with the Lan-tsan, MEKHONG, or MEKONG (mã-kong'), which rises in the neighborhood of Chiamdo in Tibet (its exact sources are not singers were the successors of the minne- "Reynard the Fox" and "Tyl Owl-glass" are attributed to them.