Belli Paaro
A secret society of Liberia, Africa , the cult of which consists in a description of brotherhood with departed spirits. Dapper, an early author, says of this society: "They have also another custom which they call Belli Paaro, of which they say it is a death, a new birth and an incorporation in the community of spirits or soul with whom the common folk associate in the bush, and help to eat the offerings prepared for the spirits." This description is far from clear, but it is obvious enough that those who join the society desire to be regarded as spiritualised, or as having died and having been brought to life again; and that their society is nothing more than a confraternity of all those who have passed through this training in common.
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Bellingham
a city of Washington, the county-seat of Whatcom co. It is about 100 miles N. of Seattle, on the Great Northern, the Northern Pacific, 4 and the Bellingham and Northern railroads. It is the site of an important station for the United States Navy . There is a State normal school, high schools, libraries, and hospitals. The city has large lumber interests, and salmon canning is also carried on on a large scale. It is a port of entry for vessels of the Oriental and Pacific coast trade. Pop. (1910) 24,298; (1920) 25,570.
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Bellini
the name of a Venetian family which produced several remarkable painters. The earliest was JACOPO BELLINI, who died in 1470. He was a pupil of the celebrated Gentile da Fabriano, and one of the first who painted in oil. His eldest son, GENTILE
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Bellini (Born in died)
born in 1421, died in 1501, was distinguished as a portrait painter, and also as a medailleur . Along with his brother, he was commissioned to decorate the council chamber of the Venetian Senate. Mohammed II. invited Gentile to Constantinople, employed him to execute various historical works, and dismissed him laden with presents. The "Preaching of St. Mark" is his most famous piece. His more celebrated brother, GIOVANNI BELLINI, born in 1426, died in 1512, was the founder of the older Venetian school of painting , and contributed greatly to its progress . His best works are altar pieces . His picture of the "Infant Jesus" slumbering in the lap of the Madonna, and attended by angels, is full of beauty. His " Holy Virgin," "Baptism of the Lord," and " Christ and the Woman of Samaria," are also much admired.
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Bellini (VINCENZO a musical composer)
VINCENZO, a musical composer, born in Catania, in Sicily, in 1802. He was educated at Naples, under Zingarelli, and, before he had completed his 20th year, he had produced "Bianca and Fernando" at the Theater St. Carlo. This was succeeded by various other operas, of which "Il Pirata," "La Somnambula," "Norma ," and "I Puritani" (1827-1834), are the best, and have gained for him an undying celebrity. He died near Paris, Sept. 23 , 1835.
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Bellinzona
a town of Switzerland, capital of the canton of Ticino ; charmingly situated on the left bank of the Ticino, about 5 miles from its embouchure in the N. end of Lago Maggiore . It occupies a position of great military importance.
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Belloc
HILAIRE, author and publicist, born in La Celle St. Cloud, France, July 27, 1870. Although of French birth and parentage, he was educated at Balliol College, Oxford, and has spent most of his life in England. From 1906 to 1910 he was a Liberal member of the British Parliament from Salford. His knowledge of books, places, and men is almost encyclopedic, and his writings command respect and attention. He has written many books and lectured extensively . During the World War his work as a military critic and commentator placed him in the foremost rank of publicists.
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Belloc, Jeanne
A sorceress of the district of Labour, in France , who in the reign of Henry IV. was indicted for sorcery at the age of 84 years. In answer to Pierre Delancre who interrogated her, she stated that she commenced to repair to the sabbatic meetings of Satan in the winter of the year 1609, that she was there presented to the Devil who kissed her, a mark of approbation which he bestowed upon the greatest sorcerers only. She related that the Sabbath was a species of bal masqué, to which some came in their ordinary forms, whilst others joined the dance in the guise of dogs cats, donkeys, pigs and other animals.
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Bellot Strait
the passage on the N. coast of North America, which separates North Somerset from Boothia Felix, and connects Prince Regent Inlet with Franklin Channel . Its E. entrance was discovered in 1853 by Lieut. Joseph René Bellot. After four unsuccessful attempts, it was explored for the first time by M'Clintock on his crowning voyage. It is about 20 miles long, and, at its narrowest part, about 1 mile wide, running pretty nearly on the parallel of 72°, between granite shores which, everywhere high, rise here and there to 1,500 or 1,600 feet. Through this funnel both the winds and the waters have full play; the latter, permanent currents and flood tides alike, coming from the W. A point on the S. shore, 71° 55′ N., 95° W., is the most northerly point of the North American continent.
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Belmont (AUGUST an American banker born)
AUGUST, an American banker, born in Alzey, Germany; educated at Frankfort, and was apprenticed to the Rothschild's banking house there. In 1837 he went to Havana to take charge of the firm's interests, and afterward represented them in New York, where he established a banking house. He was Consul-General of Austria in 1844-1850; became Chargé d'Affaires at The Hague in 1853; and was Minister- Resident there in 1854-1858. 185 He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1860, and became Chairman of the National Democratic Committee, an office he held till 1872. He died in New York City, Nov. 24, 1890.
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Belmont (AUGUST an American banker born) (II)
AUGUST, an American banker, born in New York City, Feb. 18, 1853; son of the preceding. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1875; at once entered his father's banking house, and on the death of his father became head of the firm of August Belmont & Co. In February, 1900, he organized the Rapid Transit Subway Construction Company to back John B. Mc- Donald, who had been awarded the $35,- 000,000 contract for the construction of a rapid transit system in New York City. He was president of the National Civic Federation (1905-1906); chairman Interborough Consolidated Corporation and Interborough Subway Construction Co. (1911); and a director in numerous other companies. He has taken an active interest in politics on the Democratic side, acting at times as treasurer of the National Committee. He was chairman of the Jockey Club and one of the most active and prominent supporters of horse racing and breeding in the United States. In 1910 he married Eleanor Robson, a well-known Anglo-American actress.
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