Baliol (II)
or BALLIOL COLLEGE, Oxford, founded between 1263 and 1268 by John de Baliol, father of John Baliol, King of Scotland. The original foundation consisted of 16 poor scholars, and the revenue for their maintenance amounted for many years to only 8d. per week for each. From the 14th century on the college has been greatly enriched by various benefactions. The college consists of a master, 26 fellows and about 50 scholars and exhibitioners. John Wyclif was master of this college in 1361; its most famous master was Benjamin Jowett; among its scholars have been John Evelyn and Bradley the astronomer. Among eminent modern graduates were the poet Swinburne, Matthew Arnold, Hilaire Belloc, etc. BALIZE. See BELIZE.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Balkh (District of Afghan Turkestan)
a district of Afghan Turkestan, the most northerly province of Afghanistan. It was for some time subject to the Khan of Bokhara. It corresponds to ancient Bactria, and is bounded on the N. by the river Oxus, on the E. by Badakhshan, on the S. by the Hindu Kush, and on the W. by the desert. Offsets of the Hindu Kush traverse it in a N. W. direction, and slope down to the low steppes of Bokhara. Its area is about 5,000 square miles. The soil has the general characteristics of a desert land; only a few parts are made fertile by artificial irrigation; and such are the vicissitudes of climate, that where grapes and apricots ripen in summer, and the mulberry tree permits the cultivation of silk, in winter the frost is intense, and the snow lies deep on the ground. The natives are Uzbegs.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Balkh (Long the chief town situated)
long the chief town, situated in a district intersected by canals and ditches, by means of which the waters of the Balkh-ab, or Dehâs, are dissipated and prevented from flowing toward the Amu-Daria, only 45 miles distant. It was twice destroyed by Genghis Khan and Timur. A terrible outbreak of cholera in 1877 caused the capital of Afghan Turkestan to be transferred to Mazar, W. of Balkh; since then Balkh has lost most of its former importance.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Balkhash
(Kirghiz Tengis; Chinese Sihai), a great inland sea, near the E. border of Russian Central Asia, between 44° and 47° N. lat., and 73° and 79° E. long. Lying about 780 feet above sea-level, it extends 323 miles W. S. W.; its breadth at the W. end is 50 miles; at the E. from 9 to 4 miles; the area is 8,400 square miles. The water is clear, but intensely salty. Its principal feeder is the river Ili. It has no outlet.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ball
. See Basket Ball ; Baseball ; Football ; Cricket ; Lacrosse
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Ball
SIR ROBERT STAWELL, an English astronomer, born in Dublin, July 1, 1840; studied at Trinity College. He was, successively, Professor of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics at the Royal Irish College of Science; Professor of Astronomy at Dublin; Lowdean Professor Astronomy at Cambridge; and Director of Cambridge Observatory, and Astronomer Royal for Ireland. His published works on mechanics and astronomy include "The Story of the Heavens"; "Starland" (1889); "The Earth's Beginnings" (1911); "Popular Guide to the He was knighted in 1886, and died in 1913. Heavens" (1915).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ball (THOMAS an American sculptor)
THOMAS, an American sculptor, born in Charlestown, Mass., June 3, 1819; studied in Italy; was engaged in painting in 1840-1852; adopted sculpture exclusively in 1851; resided in Florence, Italy, in 1865-1897, and afterward in Montclair, N. J. His best known works are the equestrian statue of Washington, in Boston; the Webster statue in Central Park, New York; the Washington Monument in Methuen, Mass.; and "Emancipation," in Washington, D. C. He published "My Three Score Years and Ten, an Autobiography" (1891); "History of American Sculpture" (1903). He died 'n Montclair, N. J., in 1911.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ball and Socket
a joint used in machinery and piping. It consists of a spherical end of a rod or pipe fitting into a hollow sphere of the same size on a like piece. The object of this joint is to provide a close, movable connection, and to prevent leakage in pipes.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ball Lightning
a curious form of atmospheric electricity of which many strange antics have been recorded by reliable witnesses, but which is still a mystery to scientists. It takes the form of a luminous ball or ball-like mass which sometimes disappears through an open door or window after floating about in the air of a room, but more commonly ends in a violent explosion on coming into contact with some solid object. A theory advanced by Dr. Houston is that the lightning ball is composed of dissociated atoms of matter torn off nary lightning discharges and left floating in the air, intensely heated and highly charged with electricity. The explosions with which the balls disappear would be explained by the energy with which such dissociated atoms would naturally recombine upon losing their great heat. Dr. W. J. Humphreys has suggested that the lightning balls are cases of "stalled thunderbolts" or electrical discharges which have not been able to complete their path through the air to the earth. BALTIC STATES (Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania). Esthonia and Latvia recognized by Allied powers (Jan. 27, 1921). Helsingfors Conference (July 25-28), looking to formation of Baltic League. No results owing to threats of war from Russia. All three states admitted to League of Nations at second assembly (September, 1921). Economic conference of Baltic States, Finland, and Russia at Riga (November, 1921). Vilna dispute between Lithuania and Poland (see VILNA).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ball's Bluff
a spot on the right bank of the Potomac river, in Loudoun co., Va., about 33 miles N. W. of Washington; where the bank rises about 150 feet above the level of the river. It is noted as the scene of a battle between a Union force under Col. Edward D. Baker, and a Confederate force under the command of General Evans, Oct. 21, 1861. The battle resulted in the serious defeat of the Union force and the instantaneous death of Colonel Baker.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Ballarat
or BALLAARAT, an Australian town in Victoria, chief center of the gold-mining industry of the colony, and next in importance to Melbourne, from which it is distant W. N. W. about 75 miles. It consists of two distinct municipalities, Ballarat West and Ballarat East, separated by the Yarrowee creek, and has many handsome buildings, and all the institutions of a progressive and flourishing city. Gold was first discovered in 1851. The surface diggings having been exhausted, the precious metal is now got from mines as deep as some coal-pits, the gold being obtained by crushing the auriferous quartz. There are also foundries, woolen mills, flour mills, breweries and distilleries, etc. Pop. (1918) 39,970.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia