Blatchford
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
Blatta
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
Blavatsky
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
Blazon
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
Blazonry
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
Bleak
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
Bleb
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
Bleibtreu
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
Blenheim Dog
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
Blennerhasset
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 2026 Editor's Note: Blennerhassett's ruin came with Aaron Burr, whose scheme to raise a private expedition in the West ended in a sensational treason trial; both men were acquitted, but the mansion was wrecked by militia and the fortune gone. Blennerhassett Island is now a West Virginia state park, the great house rebuilt on its original foundations. (Ed: BR 2026-07-12)
Only in Aiton's Encyclopedia
Blennerhassett
HARMAN, an Englishman of Irish descent, noted for his connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy, born in Hampshire, Oct. 8, 1764 or 1765; was educated at Trinity College, Dublin; studied law; and came to the United States in 1797. In the following year he built a beautiful residence on a little island in the Ohio river below Parkersburg where Aaron Burr was a guest after New York became unsafe for him to live in. Burr proposed his scheme for taking Mexico, where, in case of success, Burr was to be Emperor and Blennerhassett a duke and ambassador to England. Large sums were expended to fit out the expedition and when Burr was arrested, and Blennerhassett as a suspected person with him, creditors seized the island and home, and Blennerhassett found himself bankrupt. After this all projects failed with him. In his last years he was supported by the charity of a relative. He died on the island of Guernsey, Feb. 1, 1831. His wife was a daughter of Governor Agnew, of the Isle of Man, and the author of many poems, including "The Deserted Isle," etc.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Blennius
a genus of spiny finned fishes, the typical one of the family blenniidæ. The species are small, agile fishes of no economic value, often left behind in pools by the retreating tide. They have long dorsal and large pectoral fins, while their heads are often furnished with tentacles, simple or branched.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Blennorrhea
a genus of diseases, including those which consist of mucous discharges, especially from the genital and microscopical research claims to have shown that this class of diseases are the product of idiopathic conditions, such as catarrh, or of lack of cleanliness.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia
Blenny
the English name of the several fishes belonging to the genus blennius. BLÉRÉ (blā-rā'), a French town, in the department of Indre-et-Loire, on the Cher, 15 miles E. S. E. of Tours. In the vicinity is the Château Chénonceaux, built in the time of Francis I., and still in excellent preservation. It was given by Henry II. to his mistress, Diana de Poitiers, who was dispossessed on the death of Henry by Catherine de Medici. In the latter part of the 18th century it was frequented by Fontenelle, Voltaire, Rousseau, and all the wits of the time, who were drawn together by the then owner of the château, Madame Dupin, widow of a fermier général who died in 1799.
Only in Collier's New Encyclopedia