Blocs (LEGISLATIVE coming of a child)
LEGISLATIVE coming of a child desirable and that, to this end, it should be permitted to mothers and potential mothers to receive from the medical profession and in answer to their own requests such scientific hygienic and physiological information as they may wish. At present there are nine States in which information to prevent conception is expressly permitted to be given by regular medical practitioners, either to prevent the transmission of inheritable diseases or in a general way; ten States permit information to be given in medical schools or standard works; while six States forbid the circulation of printed information, 1921) forbids the dissemination of any law prohibts the sending of birth-control information through the mails or by interstate carriers. The birth-control movement is mainly educational, but the sterilization of the insane and feebleminded is advocated.
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Blodget
SAMUEL, an American inventor, born in Woburn, Mass., April 1, 1724. He took part in the French and Indian War; was a member of the expedition against Louisburg, in 1745; and subsequently became a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, in Hillsbora county, N. H. He was the inventor of an apparatus by which he recovered a valuable cargo from a sunken ship near Plymouth, Mass., in 1783. His success led him to go to Europe for similar enterprises, but he met with no encouragement. In 1793 he began the construction of the canal around Amoskeag Falls in the Merrimac which now bears his name. He died in Haverhill, Mass., Sept. 1, 1807.
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Bloemfontein
city and capital of the former Orange Free State (name changed by the British, May 29 29, 1900, to Orange River Colony), South Af Africa; on the Modder river, 200 miles W. by N. of Durban, the base of British operations in the war against the Boers. In the war between Great Britain and the South African and Orange Free State Republics in 1899-1900 it was the seat of important military operations. After the appointment of Lord Roberts to the supreme command of the British forces operating against the Boers, he led an expedition against the city and forced its surrender on March 13, 1900, President Steyn escaping capture. Pop. (1918) 15,752.
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Blois
the capital of the French department of Loire-et-Cher, 99 miles S. S. W. of Paris, on the Loire, It consists of an upper town, a lower town, and several suburbs. The old castle, which has played an important part in French history, was restored by the Government in 1845. The main entrance is by a fine Gothic portal opening into a quadrangle, on the E. side of which is a pillared cloister, on the N. a pile of buildings in the Renaissance style, on the W. some unfinished buildings, and on the S. is the ancient part begun by the Dukes of Orleans. There is also a cathedral of late date, the Church of St. Nicholas (12th century), a bishop's palace, Roman aqueduct, etc. The castle was long occupied by the counts of the name; and became a favorite residence of the kings of France. Louis XII. was born, Francis I., Henry II., Charles IX., and Henry III. held court here. During the World War Blois was used as a depot and head quarters for the American Expeditionary Force. Pop. about 25,000.
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Blondel
a celebrated French minstrel of the twelfth century. He was a favorite of Richard the Lion Hearted, and accompanied him to Palestine. On his return Richard was imprisoned by the emperor of Austria. Blondel set out to find his friend and master and wandered, it is said, from castle to castle seeking him. Learning that some illustrious captive was confined in the tower of a certain Austrian castle, he stationed himself at a distance and began to sing a song that he and Richard had sung together in former days. No sooner had Blondel sung the first stanza than a well known voice took up the song and finished it. Having thus located his master, Blondel repaired to England with all speed, and set on foot measures for Richard's release. The story may not be true, but it is a delightful account of friendship. It has given rise to the expression, "the faithful Blondel." See Richard I; THE TALISMAN. 2026 Editor's Note: Historians regard the rescue story as a charming fiction — the real Blondel de Nesle was a genuine trouvère, but nothing connects him to Richard's captivity, and the tale first appears long afterward. It proved irresistible anyway, inspiring Grétry's 1784 opera and centuries of retelling. (Ed: BR 2026-07-20)
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Blondin, Charles
Charles (1824-1897), a distinguished French acrobat. He won a reputation as a rope walker in his native France. His most distinguished performances, however, took place during a tour of the United States . June 30, 1859, he crossed the Falls of Niagara on a tight rope. This he did in the presence of a crowd of 25,000 people. On the fourth of the following July he crossed again, blindfolded, trundling a wheelbarrow in front of him, and on the nineteenth of August, he crossed a third time carrying a man on his back. The next year he crossed for the fourth time walking on stilts. It seems incredible that any performer should walk on a slender rope for a distance of several hundred feet, much less keep his balance when crossing a chasm over 300 feet in depth. It would seem that the moving waters below would cause him to lose his head. The slightest tremor or misstep would have sent him to his death. His performances took place, however, in the presence of thousands, including the Prince of Wales , and cannot be disputed. See Niagara ; Circus 2026 Editor's Note: Blondin outdid even these feats: he crossed Niagara on stilts, and once carried his terrified manager the whole way on his back. The tradition revived in 2012, when Nik Wallenda walked a wire directly over the falls on live television — tethered, at the broadcaster's insistence, as Blondin never was. (Ed: BR 2026-06-19)
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Blood
COUNCIL OF sucker, so called from the rich scarlet color of the head, breast and back of the male.
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