Marryat, Frederick
Frederick (1792-1848), a British writer. He was a native of London. He served in the British navy from 1806 to 1830 and was stationed at St. Helena when Napoleon died there. He published his first story, The Naval Officer , in 1829. On his retirement with the rank of captain he continued to write tales of sea life addressed to boys. The Phantom Ship, The King's Own, Peter Simple, and Midshipman Easy are some of his titles. His tales are not of a high order from a literary point of view, but they are entertaining and instructive.
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Marsala
a fortified seaport city of Sicily, on its W.coast; inclosed by walls, and has a cathedral, several convents and abbeys, a gymnasium, cavalry barracks, and a curious vibrating bell tower, a famous grotto and well. It is the ancient Libybæum, which was long the capital of the Carthaginian possessions in Sicily. Pop. about 70,000.
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Marsh Gas
in chemistry, CH₁= CH3, methane; light carburetted hydrogen, hydride of methyl, a hydrocarbon gas very abundant in nature . It is evolved from stagnant water, and great quantities are given off in coal pits where it is known as the fire damp of the miners. It is one of the usual products of the destructive distillation of organic matters. It may be formed in large quantities by the destructive distillation of a mixture of alkaline acetate with a hydrated alkali. Of all known compounds it is the richest in hydrogen, and, with the exception of the latter, is the lightest known gas (sp. gr. .5576 , air=1). It is colorless, without taste or smell, and is neutral to test paper.
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Marsh Mallow
the genus Althea, and specially A. officinalis. It is a softly pubescent plant, with axillary cymes of large rosy leaves. Wild in a few places in England in marshes near the sea. A decoction of the roots and other parts Used as a demulcent for children, and yields a tasteless, colorless mucilage . cases of irritation.
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Marsh Marigold
a genus of plants of the natural order Ranunculaceæ, having about five petallike sepals, but no petals ; the fruit consists of several spreading, compressed, many-sided follicles. C. palustris is a very common British plant , with kidneyshaped, shining leaves, and large yellow flowers, a principal ornament of wet meadows and the sides of streams in spring. It partakes of the acridity common to the order; but the flower buds, preserved in vinegar and salt , are said to be a good substitute for capers. It is often called cowslip in the United States.
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Marshal
a civil officer appointed by the President in each judicial district, and answering to the sheriff of a county. His duty is to execute all precepts directed to him, issued under the authority of the United States. Sometimes police officers in American cities are known as marshals. In some European countries the title of marshal confers the highest military distinction, that of Marshal of France being especially prized. Earl Marshal of England, the eighth officer of state; the title is hereditary, being held by the Duke of Norfolk.
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Marshall Islands
a group of islands in the W. Pacific, bisected by lat. 10° N., having the Caroline group to the W., and consisting of two parallel chains of low coral reefs-one, the Ratak group, consisting of 15 islands, and measuring in all 48 square miles; the other, the Ralik group, 18 islands, with a total area of 107 square miles. Total pop. of group (1920) about 15,000, nearly all natives; most populous island, Maie- THOMAS R. MARSHALL ru; several of the islands are uninhabited. The cocoanut and pandanus palms and the bread-fruit tree are the principal sources of food, besides fish. Copra is the only export. The inhabitants belong to the Micronesian division, and are an ugly but good-natured cured and hospitable race, fond of song and dance, and skilful weavers of bast mats. These islands were annexed by Germany in 1885, but by the Treaty of Versailles were awarded to Australia.
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Marshalltown
a city and county-seat of Marshall co., Ia.; on the Chicago and Great Western, the Minneapolis and St. Louis, and the Chicago and Northwestern railroad; 75 miles N. E. of Des Moines. It is the seat of the Iowa State Soldiers' Home, and has National and State banks, public library, waterworks, glucose factory, grain elevator , flour mills, meat-packing plant, carriage and furniture factories. Pop. ( 1910) 13,374; (1920) 15,731.
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Marshfield
a town of Wood co., Wis., 95 miles N. W. of Menasha, on the Wisconsin Central railroad . It is in the center of an agricultural district and its manufacturing plants turn out bee supplies, wood veneer, household furniture , beds, springs, etc. Pop. ( 1910) 5,783; (1920) 7,394. H
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Marshmallow
an herb related to the hollyhock and hibiscus. It has rose-colored flowers, not unlike the mallow of dooryards. It is cultivated chiefly in Europe. The root is an article of commerce. It is used in the manufacture of mucilage. It possesses medicinal qualities also, and has a well known flavor. Like peppermint, it is used in the manufacture of confectionery, giving its name to the candies known as marshmallows. The plant grows wild in places along the eastern coast of the United States .
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Marsi, The
According to Pliny, these people were from the earliest times skilled in magical practices and sorceries. They were able to charm poisonous serpents by means of songs. Marthese, J. N. T.: (See Holland .)
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Marston
JOHN, an English dramatic author; born about 1575. He was educated at Corpus Christi College , Oxford. He was entered at the Middle Temple, where he became lecturer. He was the author of eight plays, all acted at the Blackfriars Theater with applause. Six of these were printed in one volume in 1633, and dedicated to the Viscountess Falkland. He assisted Ben Jonson and Chapman in the composition of " Eastward Ho." He also wrote three books of satires, entitled the "Scourge of Villanie" (1599). He died in London , Lo June 25, 1634.
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Marston Moor
a plain in Yorkshire, England, where a decisive battle was fought between the Royalists under Prince Rupert, and the Parliamentary army under Lord Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell, July 2, 1644, in which the Royalists were completely routed.
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