Dessau
a town of north Germany; capital of the former Duchy of Anhalt; on the left bank of the Mulde, not far from its junction with the Elbe, 70 miles S. W. of Berlin. It is in general well built. Among the principal buildings are the ducal palace, a notable structure, built in 1748, and improved in -gallery and 1875, with a val valuable picture library; a town-hall, an elegant theater, and several churches. The Philanthropinum of Basedow was here. The manufactures are sugar, woolen cloth, machinery, carpets, and there is a large trade in grain. Moses Mendelssohn was a native. Leopold, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau (1676- 1747), a famous soldier in the wars of the 18th century, is popularly known as der alte Dessauer (the old Dessauer); his statue adorns the market-place. Pop. (1890) 34,658; (1905) 55,134. DESTERRO (dāz-ter'rō). a seaport of Brazil, capital of the province of Santa Catharina. The harbor is, next to that of Rio de Janeiro, the best on the Brazilian coast.
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Destinn
or DESTINOVA, EMMY. She was born at Prague in 1878, the She daughter of Emanuel Kittel. studied under Madame Loewe Destinn, whose name she assumed when she went on the stage. She sang in various countries of Europe until in 1898 she was engaged at the Royal Opera House, Berlin. The rôles in which she has gained distinc- Senta," "Mignon," "Cartion include "Sen " men," "Santuzza." She has sung in New York and the principal cities of North She has also and South America. written several volumes of poems. D'ESTOURNELLES DE CONSTANT, BARON (PAUL HENRI BENJAMIN), a French diplomat. He was born at La Flèche, Sarthe, in 1852, and was educated in French schools. He entered politics and was elected a member of the Chamber of Deputies. He represented France at the two Hague Conferences and was a member of the Hague Court. For eight years he was diplomat at the French Embassy, London, and later became a member of the French Senate. He wrote books on politics, economic science, arbitration, limitation of armaments, and organization of peace. His works include: "Pygmalion," "La politique Française en Tunisie" (crowned by the French Academy), and "Les Etats-Unis d'Amérique."
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Desuetude
in Scots law, that repeal or revocation of a legal enactment which is effected not by a subsequent contrary enactment, but by the establish- It is on the Detroit river, along which ment of a co a contrary use, sanctioned by the lapse of time and the consent of the community.
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Detached Escapement
The escapement of a time piece in which the balance, or pendulum, is detached from the train, during a portion of its vibration.
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Detent
That which locks or unlocks a movement; the piece of steel that carries the stones that lock and unlock an escape wheel. DE VICK, HENRY. A celebrated German watchmaker of the fourteenth century and the builder of the famous clock belonging to Charles V., of France. Also claimed, by some writers, to be the inventor of the Verge escapement. See Clocks.
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Determinant
in logic, a mark or attribute added to the subject or predicate, which narrows the extent of both, but renders them more definite, or better determined. In mathematics, a name given to the sum of a series of products of several numbers, these products being formed_according to certain s specified laws. Thus the determinant of the nine numbers: a, b, c a', b', c' a", b", " is ab'c"-ab"c+a'b'c-a'bc"+a"bc'-a"b/c.
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Determinism
a name applied by Sir W. Hamilton to that system of philosophy which holds that the will is not a free agent, but is irresistibly determined by providential motives, that is, by motives furnished by Providence, which turn the balance in our mental deliberations in accordance with its views.
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Detmold
capital of the former German Principality of Lippe, on the Werre, 47 miles S. W. of Hanover. The chief buildings are the old castle, the modern palace, and the theater. Detmold has also a museum, a public library, a hospital, a gymnasium, and several other schools. There are manufactures of tobacco, cards, and carved work in wood and stone, as well as several breweries. On a hill two miles from Detmold is a colossal statue of Arminius.
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Detonating Powders
certain chemical compounds, which, on being exposed to heat or suddenly struck, explode with a loud report, owing to one or more of the constituent parts suddenly assuming the gaseous state. The chloride and iodide of nitrogen are very powerful detonating substances.
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Detonating Tube
a species of eudiometer, being a stout glass tube used in chemical analysis for detonating gaseous bodies. It is generally graduated into centesimal parts, and perforated by two opposed wires for the purpose of passing an electric spark through the gases which are introduced into it, and which are confined within it over mercury and water.
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Detritus
applied in geology to accumulations formed by the disintegration of rocks, may consist of angular and subangular debris, or of more or less waterworn materials, such as gravel, sand, or clay, or an admixture of these.
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Detroit River
or STRAIT of ST. CLAIR, a river or strait of North America, which runs from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. It is 28 miles long, and of sufficient depth for the navigation of large vessels. It is about three-fourths of a mile wide opposite Detroit and enlarges as it descends.
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Dettingen
a village of Bavaria, on the Main, 10 miles N. W. of Aschaffenburg; is noted as the scene of a battle during the war of the Austrian Succession, when, on June 27, 1743, George II. of England, commanding English, Hanoverians, and Austrians, defeated the larger French army under the Duc de Noailles. This was the last time a king of England took the field in person.
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Deva's Vale
the valley of the Dee (or Deva) in Cheshire, England. "He chose a farm in Deva's vale, Where his long alleys peeped upon the main." -Thomson's "Castle of Indolence."
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Devas
In Theosophy , constitute one of the ranks or orders of spirits who compose the hierarchy which rules the universe under the Deity. Their numbers are vast and their functions are not all known to mankind, though generally these functions may be said to be connected with the evolution of systems and of life. Of Devas there are three kinds-Bodiless Devas, Form Devas and Passion Devas. Bodiless Devas belong to the higher mental world , their bodies are composed of mental Elemental Essence, and they belong to the first Elemental kingdom. Form Devas belong to the lower mental world, and while their bodies are composed also of mental Elemental Essence, they belong to the second Elemental kingdom. Passion Devas belong to the astral world and their bodies are composed of astral Elemental Essence. Devas are creatures superlatively great and superlatively glorious, of vast knowledge and power, calm yet irresistible, and in appearance altogether magnificent.
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