Macaw Tree
the name given to several species of trees of the genus Acrocomia, natives of tropical America, as A. fusiformis and A. sclerocarpa, the fruit of which last yields an oil of a yellowish color of the consistence of butter, with a sweetish taste and an odor of violets, used by the natives of the West Indies as an emollient in painful affections of the joints, and largely imported into Great Britain, where is sometimes sold as palm oil, to be used in the manufacture of toilet soaps.
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Macbeth
king of Scotland. He reigned from 1040-1057. His predecessor was Duncan, the grandson of the famous Malcolm. Macbeth was also a grandson of Malcolm, and, according to the laws of Scottish succession, his claim to the throne was equal to if not better than that of Duncan. Macbeth's ambition led him to contest the throne with Duncan. Holinshed's Chronicles, on which Shakespeare depended for the historical basis of his great tragedy, state that Macbeth slew Duncan at Bothgowan. He is said to have visited Rome seeking pardon for the slaying of his king. The sons of Duncan fled to Northumberland and later gathered their friends and invaded Scotland, defeating Macbeth at the battle of Dunsinane in 1054. Macbeth fell three years later near Aberdeen, and was succeeded by one of Duncan's sons.
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Macbeth
the hero of Shakespeare's gedy of that name; a Scotch chief related to the reigning King Duncan, whom he assassinated in order to usurp his power, 1040. He fell in battle by the hand of Macduff, in 1057.
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Maccabees (Fraternal mutual-benefit)
THE, a fraternal, mutual-benefit organization established for social and benevolent purposes in 1881. The present society united with the Modern Knights in 1914. The Modern Maccabees admit to membership all male whites of good moral character between the ages of 18 and 70. The order provides benefits in case of the disability of its members and at death. There are now more than 300,000 members of the organization, which controls a fund of $20,000,000. The head offices are at Port Huron, Mich., U. S. A.
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Macchiavelli
or MACHIA- VELLI, NICOLO (mak-i-a-vel'li), a Florentine statesman and historian; born in Florence, Italy, May 3, 1469. Ás secretary of the council named "The Ten," a post which he held for 14 years, 1498- 1512, he was one of the most prominent actors in the foreign and diplomatic affairs of the republic during that period. The great capacity for business and diplomacy which he showed led to his being employed on a great number of political missions, the most important of which were those to the King of France, to whom he was sent on four occasions; to the Popes Pius III. and Julius II., to Cæsar Borgia, in whose camp he passed three months; and to the Emperor Maximilian. On the restoration of the Medici, in 1512, Macchiavelli was banished, and in the following year he was arrested and subjected to torture on the charge of conspiracy against the Medici, but was soon pardoned and liberated. The next eight years he spent NICOLO MACCHIAVELLI in retirement and literary labors, ana was then again employed as ambassador. His principal works are: "Il Principe" (The Prince, 1532); "Storie Florentine" (Florentine History); "Discourses on the First Decate of Titus Livius"; "The Art of War;" and valuable reports of his negotiations. Letters, comedies, and other writings complete the six volumes 4to. of his works, which, both in point of matter and of style, stand in the highest rank of Italian literature. He died in Florence, Italy, June 22, 1527.
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Macclesfield
a town in Cheshire, England, near Manchester. Important textile and silk mills, and the coal mines in the vicinity make it an important manufacturing city. The city owns the water and gas works, as well as many quarries and markets. A free library and technical schools are supported by the municipality. Pop., about 35,000.
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MacDonald, George
George (1824-1905), a Scottish man of letters. He was born at Huntly in Aberdeenshire, and was educated at the University of Aberdeen. He was educated for what we should, in this country, call the Congregational ministry, but he joined the English Church and took up literature as a profession. MacDonald is the author of a number of juvenile books and poems and works of a religious nature. His reputation rests, however, on the novels dealing with Scottish character and scenery. Robert Falconer is considered his strongest work. Other novels are Annals of a Quiet Neighborhood, David Elginbrod, Malcolm, Alec Forbes, Marquis of Lossie, Salted with Fire, Sir Gibbie, Donal Grant, and Warlock of Glen Warlock.
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Macdonald, Sir John Alexander
Sir John Alexander (1815-1891), a Canadian statesman. He was born at Glasgow, Scotland, January 11, 1815, and died in Ottawa, Ontario, June 6, 1891. His parents removed to Canada when he was a mere child. He was educated at Kingston and was admitted to the bar in 1836. Eight years later he was elected to the Canadian Parliament, and remained ever afterward in government service. When the new constitution of Canada was adopted in 1867 he was made a member of the first cabinet, and was influential in promoting the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. In his political affiliations, he was strongly attached to Great Britain and the crown. His reputation is that of a man of ability and integrity.
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Macedonian
pertaining to, or in any way connected with the teaching of Macedonius; as, the Macedonian heresy. The Macedonians in Church history were a sect which came into existence toward the end of the Arian controversy, taking its name from Macedonius, who became Patriarch of Constantinople in 341.
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Macer
one of a number of officers attending the Supreme Courts in Scotland, appointed by the crown. Their duty is to keep silence in the court, and execute the orders of the courts, if addressed to them. They hold their office for life, and are paid by salary.
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Macerata
a walled town of central Italy, picturesquely perched on an eminence (1,207 feet), 44 miles S. of Ancona; has a cathedral, a beautiful town hall of the 13th century, and manufactures of glass and pottery; the university (1290) had in 1917 about 340 students. Pop. about 25,000.. MacGAHAN MacGAHAN, JANUARIUS ALOY- and the SIUS, an American war correspondent; ment born near New Lexington, O., June 12, 1844. He was war correspondent of the New York "Herald" during the Franco- Prussian War (1870-1871); accompanied the Russian expedition against Khiva in 1873, and the Arctic expedition on the "Pandora" in 1875. He wrote: "Campaigning on the Oxus, and the Fall of Khiva" (1874); "Under the Northern Lights" (1876); "Turkish Atrocities in Bulgaria" (1876), which appeared originally during the same year as a famous series of war letters in the London "Daily News." He is regarded by the Bulgarians as the author of their independence. He died in Constantinople, June 9, 1878.
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