More than one of these 7 encyclopedias carries each of the following subjects — but every one of them treats it in a sentence or two and then moves on. They are gathered here so the different accounts can sit side by side.
Chalcedony
Aiton's Encyclopedia: kal-sed'o-ny, a precious stone found first in the ancient Greek town of Chalcedon in Asia Minor nearly opposite Constantinople. It is an amorphous form of quartz, having a milky color, more or less clouded with veins, circles, and spots. It is used in the manufacture of jewelry. Like the agate, to which it is closely related, chalcedony often contains stains resembling bits of petrified moss or plants. Sometimes pebbles contain a drop of water. Fine specimens are obtained from the centers of basaltic rocks in Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, and the Rocky Mountains . A white chalcedony containing small blood-red spots is called St. Stephen's stone. At one time chalcedony was used much more and was more highly prized than at the present time. It was employed not only for seals and rings, but also for plates, cups, and vases. These were often engraved in the most elaborate manner. See Quartz ; Sand ; Agate
An Encyclopaedia of Occultism: A good specific against phantasy and the illusions of evil spirits. It also quickens the power of the body, and renders its possessor fortunate in law. To the latter effect it must be perforated and suspended by hairs from an ass. The black variety prevents hoarseness and clears the voice.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and An Encyclopaedia of Occultism
Charing Cross
Aiton's Encyclopedia: an intersection of streets at the southern side of Trafalgar Square near the Thames. This busy spot is considered the geographical center of London. Distances are reckoned from it. The village of Charing formerly stood here. When Edward I was conveying his queen Eleanor's remains to Westminster Abbey , he erected a memorial cross at each stage where the bier rested. This is traditionally one of the spots. A new cross, however, was erected in 1863. Charing Cross railway station stands in the vicinity. The street called Strand runs eastward to join the Fleet. Whitehall Street leads to Parliament House and Westminster Abbey, and the Mall leads westward by St. James Park to Buckingham Palace. See London
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the titular center of London, so named from a cross which stood until 1647 at the village of Charing in memory of Eleanor, wife of Edward I. It is now a triangular piece of roadway near Trafalgar Square. The present copy was erected near the original site in 1865.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Charivari
Aiton's Encyclopedia: sha-re-va-re', colloquially chivaree, a mock serenade. The name, as well as the custom, originated in France. The rustic charivari was introduced into the United States , and is still prevalent in some sections as an attention bestowed upon newly married couples. Drums are beaten, tin pans rattled, and whistles are blown, with shrieks, yells, sometimes firing of guns, and every other discordant element. While such attention may hardly be said to be agreeable, yet a large and enthusiastic charivari is by no means looked upon as a sign of unpopularity. Its absence in some sections would be regarded as a social slight. After the noise has proceeded long enough to serve the purpose of courtesy the serenaders are invited in to partake of refreshment provided for the occasion. The custom has been discontinued so generally, however, that it has come to be looked upon as wanting in refinement. The term is also applied to noisy, insulting demonstrations directed against some obnoxious person. This, however, not in the United States.
Collier's New Encyclopedia: an imitative word, having its origin in slang, describing a mock serenade of discordant music with such accompaniments as tin kettles, shouting, whistling, groaning, hissing, and screaming, and the like, meant for the annoyance and insult of an obnoxious person.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Charter Oak
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a fine old oak tree at Hartford, Connecticut. It was over six feet in diameter at the time of its destruction by a storm, August 21, 1856. This oak is one of the historic trees of America. Connecticut was an independent colony governed by its own assembly, elected in accordance with a charter granted by the king of England in 1662. In 1686 Sir Edmund Andros was sent over to govern the New England colonies. In October of the following year he visited Hartford and called on the assembly to surrender its charter. The story runs that the debate was prolonged until late, when the lights were extinguished and a Captain Wadsworth took the charter from the table and hid it in a hollow in this oak tree, where it remained until a change of government in England enabled the colony to resume its previous form of government. See Hartford
Collier's New Encyclopedia: a tree which formerly stood in Hartford, Conn., in the hollow trunk of which the colonial charter is said to have been hidden. The story is that when Governor Andros went to Hartford in 1687 to demand the surrender of the charter, the debate in the Assembly over his demand was prolonged until darkness set in, when the lights were suddenly extinguished, and a patriot, Captain Wadsworth, escaped with the document and hid it in the oak. The venerable tree was preserved with great care until 1856, when it was blown down in a storm.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Cheops
1000 Classical Characters: See page 48. A king of Egypt, after Rhampsinitus, famous for building pyramids. Chersonesus (Peninsula of the Dardanelles or of Gallipoli). Usually called at Athens The Chersonesus, without any distinguishing epithet, the narrow slip of land, 420 stadia in length, running between the Hellespont and the gulf of Melas, and connected with See page 48. Augustus. the Thracian mainland by an isthmus, which was fortified by a wall, 36 stadia across, near
Collier's New Encyclopedia: the name given by Herodotus to the Egyptian despot whom the Egyptians themselves called Khufu. He belonged to the rulers who had for their capital Memphis; lived about 2800- 2700 B. C., and built the largest of the pyramids. According to Herodotus he employed 100,000 men on this work constantly for 20 years.
Covered by 1000 Classical Characters and Collier's New Encyclopedia
Chickasaw
Aiton's Encyclopedia: a branch of Indians allied to the Creeks, Seminoles, and Choctaws. The whites under De Soto found them occupying the headwaters of the Tombigbee and Yazoo rivers, with a trail to the Mississippi River at Memphis, 160 miles away. As the country settled up they sided with the English against the French. They were induced to cede one tract of land after another. The last cession was dated 1834. They were removed to the eastern part of the Indian Territory , where they form the Chickasaw nation, one of the federated Indian tribes of the territory. Even here, over 100,000 whites have crowded in to their territory. As the Chickasaws number less than 6,000 the result is not difficult to foresee, though at present many are farmers and stock-raisers living in a fair degree of comfort. See Indians
Collier's New Encyclopedia: an Indian tribe, occupying a reservation in Oklahoma. The tribe had a chief and a legislature chosen by popular vote, but its members are now citizens of the United States. Cotton and corn are grown by the tribe. The tribe numbers about 4,500.
Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia