Each of these 14 subjects appears in only one of the 6 encyclopedias on this shelf. None is long enough to carry a page by itself, so they are gathered here by letter. Anything that grows moves out to a page of its own.
a family of nocturnal black beetles, whose wings are generally obsolete and their elytra soldered together. They frequent gloomy, damp places, and when seized discharge, in self-defense, a liquid of a peculiar, penetrating Blaps odor. Blaps mortisaga, or churchyard bettle, is the most familiar British specimen.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
EDWIN HOWLAND, an American artist, born in New York City, Dec. 16, 1848; studied in Paris under Léon Bonnat; and began exhibiting in the Paris Salon in 1874. He returned to the United States in 1881, and has since distinguished himself by the execution of large decorative works. Among his noteworthy productions in this line are one of the domes of the Manufacturers' Building in the World's Columbian Exposition, the great Central Dome of the Library of Congress, and the new apartment of the Appellate Court in New York City; besides ceiling and panel work in clubs and residences. He decorated the Baltimore Court House, Iowa State Capitol, Great Hall, University of New York, Wisconsin State Capitol, etc. He lectured on art at Yale, Harvard, and Columbia, and was the author, with Mrs. Blashfield of "Italian Cities." Author "Mural Painting in America" (1913).
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
slander or even well merited blame, applied to a person or in condemnation of a thing; also the utterance of injurious, highly insulting, calumnious, or slanderous language against a person in high authority, especially against a king. In the United States blasphemy is punishable in all of the older States of the Union, under the acts against profanity and indecent language, disorderly conduct, etc. The word is particularly applied to any profane language toward God; addressed to, or spoken or written regarding God. In theology, blasphemy against the Holy Ghost means the sin of attributing to Satanic agency the miracles which were obviously from God.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
SAMUEL, an American jurist, born in New York City, March 9, 1820; 18 was graduated from Columbia College in 1837; became private secretary to William H. Seward, when the latter was elected Governor of New York; practiced law in New York City; became Judge of of the District Court for the Southern District of New York in 1867; Circuit Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit in 1878; and Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1882. He died in Newport, R. I., July 7, 1893. 5-Vol. II-Cyc
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a genus of insects, the typical one of the family blattidæ. It contains the various species of cockroaches. B. orientalis is the common species in houses in the southern portions of the United States, though, as its name implies, it is believed to have come first from the East. In the higher latitudes of the United States B. orientalis is rarely or never seen, its place being taken by B. americana, or the kakerlac, as it is called.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
HELENE PETROVNA, a noted theosophist, born in Yekaterinoslav, Russia, in 1831; founded the Theosophical Society in New York in 1875, and wrote "Isis Unveiled" (1876); "The Secret Doctrine" (1888); (1888) "Key to Theosophy" (1889), etc. She died in London, May 8, 1891.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
or BLASON, a heraldic term which originated in the custom of blowing a trumpet to announce the arrival of a knight, or his entrance into the lists at a joust or tournament. The blast was answered by the heralds, who described aloud and explained the arms borne by the knight.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
the art of describing a coat of arms in such a way that an accurate drawing may be made from the verbal statements given.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a fish, the leuciscus alburnus of Cuvier, belonging to the family cyprinidæ. It is a river fish five or six inches long, and is found in Great Britain.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a novel by Charles Dickens published in 1853. In this story the chief characters belong to a less humble stratum of society than those in most of Dickens' tales. Esther Summerson is the heroine of the story, and through a life of nobleness and loving self-sacrifice is led at last to happiness. As a sort of secondary theme, Dickens introduces the famous case of Jarndyce vs. Jarndyce, a satire on the Court of Chancery. His graphic pictures of the trouble and misfortune caused by long delays due to the complicated forms of procedure in this court are said to have been influential in securing subsequent reforms in this department of English jurisprudence. Mrs. Jellyby, neglecting her family that she may devote her time to Borrioboola-Gha and the "natives"; Mr. Jarndyce, giving himself to kind deeds and complaining that "the wind is east"; Little Jo, always "movin'on"; Mr. Skimpole, refusing to understand anything connected with money; Grandfather Smallweed; Mr. Turveydrop; the unhappy Lady Dedlock,--these are the figures that Bleak House brings to mind. Many regard it as Dickens' best novel. He himself said, "In Bleak House, I have purposely dwelt upon the romantic side of familiar things."
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
a blister, a thin tumor filled with a watery liquid arising upon the surface of the body. If idiopathic, it is called pemphigus. If produced by external irritation, or some similar cause, it is a vesicle.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
KARL AUGUST (blīb'troi), a German poet and novelist, born at Berlin, Jan. 13, 1859. He is one of the foremost representatives of the youngest German school in literature, and a pronounced realist. All his views are radical, as shown by the very titles of his works, e. g., "Revolution in Literature" (1885); "Literature's Struggle for Life." He also wrote "Dies Iræ," "Napoleon at Leipsic," "Cromwell at Marston Moor." His dramas are "Lord Byron" (1888); "The Day of Judgment," "The Queen's Necklace," etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
a spaniel, bearing a close resemblance to the King Charles breed, but somewhat smaller, so named from having been originally bred by one of the Dukes of Marlborough. It has a short muzzle, long, silky hair without any curl, and long, pendulous ears.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Harman, an Anglo-American adventurer (1764-1831). He belonged to a wealthy, well educated, English family. Having married his own niece, he was ostracized by English society and driven to sell his estates. He migrated to America, and established a home on an island in the Ohio River a few miles below Parkersburg, West Virginia . His palace, grounds, pictures, and statuary were the admiration of all travelers. He entertained with lavish hospitality. Aaron Burr drew him into schemes for the establishment of an independent empire in the west. He invested a great sum in arms, ammunition, boats, and provisions. He was arrested on a charge of treason, but was discharged finally. His home, however, had, by this time, been ruined. His grounds had been turned into a hemp field, and his mansion used for a granary. He bought a cotton plantation on the lower Mississippi, but failed in this, as well as other commercial enterprises and returned finally to England. He died on the island of Guernsey. See Burr
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia