Nasmyth
JAMES, a British engineer and astronomer; son of A. Nasmyth; born in Edinburgh, Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland , Aug. 19, 1808. He was educated at the School of Arts, Edinburgh, and in engineering under Maudsley in London. He removed in 1834 to Manchester , England, where he became a successful machine constructor and inventor. The steam hammer, which has rendered possible the immense forgings now employed, was invented by him in 1839. The steam pile driver, and the safety foundry ladle, are among his other inventions. He also acquired fame as a practical astronomer.
He died in London, England, May 7, 1890.
NASR-ED-DIN (Shah of Persia). born in Teheran in 1831; died in 1896.
Though not the eldest son of his father, Mohammed Mirza, the influence of his mother caused used him to be proclaimed heir. Came to the throne in 1848. His mother caused him to be proclaimed right of accession was strongly disputed by El Beb, a leader of the people, but the new Shah succeeded in holding his throne. At an early age he showed himself keenly alive to the deficiencies throne. At an early age he showed himhis people and made a deep study of western European methods of government, finance, and military organization.
NASTURTIUM In 1856 he precipitated a war with Great Britain by his occupation of Herat, hostilities lasting a year. Later he made a number of visits to western Europe and established friendly relations, especially with London. His reign marked a long step in advance toward civilization by his people, especially in the field of applied science. He was finally assassinated by political opponents.
NASSAU (näs'sou), formerly a German duchy, now a district of the Prussian province of HESSE-NASSAU (q.v.).
The soil is fertile and produces some of the most esteemed Rhenish wines. The chief towns are WIESBADEN (q. v.), the capital of the district ; Schwalbach, Schlangenbad, Fachingen, Selters, and Geilnau. The family of Nassau, the elder branch of which reigned till 1866, dates from the 10th century. The younger branch inherited in 1544 the principality of ORANGE (q.v.), and as the princes of Orange took an important place in Euthe princes of Orange took an important pla ropean history (see HOLLAND). The (see HOLLAND reigning Duke of Nassau sided against Prussia in 1866, and his duchy was incorporated with Prussia (see PRUSSIA: corpo GERMANY) ; and on the extraction of the male line of the Orange branch by the death of William III. of Holland, in 1890, the Duke of Nassau became Grand- Duke of Luxemburg. place in Eu-