The Meta-Encyclopedia

Briefly noted: Z (1)

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.

Zouave

Collier's New Encyclopedia: a soldier belonging to the light infantry corps of the French army, which were organized in Algeria soon after the requested that country in 1830, and were originally intended to be composed exclusively of the Kabyle tribe. This idea, however, was soon abandoned, and since 1840 the corps has been composed almost entirely of French soldiers, recruited from the veterans of ordinary line regiments, who are distinguished for their fine physique and tried courage. They still, however, retain the picturesque dress originally adopted, consisting of a loose dark-blue jacket and waistcoat, baggy Turkish trousers, yellow leather leggins, white gaiters, a skyblue sash, and a red fez with yellow tassel. The few corps composed of Algerines still connected with the French army are now known as Turcos. The name was also given to several regiments which served on the side of the North in the American Civil War, but these were only distinguished from the other volunteer regiments by their picturesque uniform. ६५ COUNT NIKLAS ZRINYI

Aiton's Encyclopedia: zwav, a French soldier. The original Zouaves were a fair haired, blue-eyed, sun-tanned Berber people living in Algiers and Tunis and the oases of the Sahara. Their young men were employed as soldiers by the dey of Algiers and subsequently by the French. Later the term was transferred to French soldiers who were clad in the baggy trousers of the Arab. The French Zouaves distinguished themselv es in the Crimean War. During our Civil War a few Northern regiments adopted the uniform and name.

Covered by Collier's New Encyclopedia and Aiton's Encyclopedia

Zulus

Aiton's Encyclopedia: zoo'looz, a tribe of Kafirs inhabiting the southeast coast of Africa. They are a tall, well formed people,--the most warlike tribe in South Africa. Before the introduction of firearms they had clubs, axes, javelins, and shields. They practiced agriculture and had herds of cattle. They came into conflict with the British in 1879. Their chief, the brave Cetewayo, showed no little skill in cutting off British regiments, but he was overpowered, and Zululand was made a part of British Natal. Young Napoleon, the son of Napoleon III, lost his life while serving in a British company against the Zulus. 2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about race that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: BR 2026-07-22)

Collier's New Encyclopedia: or AMAZULUS, that branch of the human of the great Bantu division family found in Natal, South Africa. Bantu tribes, the Zulus are Among the conspicuous for their physical and intellectual development.

Covered by Aiton's Encyclopedia and Collier's New Encyclopedia