Privateer
a ship owned by a private individual, which under govern. ment permission, expressed by a letter of marque, makes war on the shipping of a hostile power. To make war on an enemy without this commission, or on the shipping of a nation not specified in it, is piracy. Privateering was abolished by mutual agreement among European nations, except Spain, by the Declaration of Paris in 1856; but the United States of America refused to sign the treaty, except on condition that all private property at sea, not contraband, should be exempt from capture. This "Marcy," or "American," amendment, as it was called, was not accepted. This doctrine was again affirmed by the United States delegates to the Peace Conference at The Hague in 1898, but was again rejected by the European powers. While not considered PIRACY (q. v.) by the law of nations, they were looked on as little better during the great wars at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century, and as a rule received but scant mercy at the hands of the regular services. HENRY SMITH PRITCHETT
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Prix De Rome
a prize given by the French Government to a number of painters, sculptors, architects, engravers and musicians. Founded by Louis XIV. in 1866, its purpose was to educate young painters and sculptors at Rome at the expense of the government. Napoleon enlarged the prize and made it open to musicians and architects, in addition to painters and sculptors. At present the winner of the scholarship is selected from a group of 10 which have passed the rigid examinations in their respective fields. The winner is supported by the French Government for four years while gin; the flowers small, white. Common he pursues his further studies at the Académie de France at Rome. The prize is awarded every year to painters, sculptors, musicians, and architects, and every two or three years to artists in other fields. The award is made by giving the 10 selected artists three months to prepare a specimen of their work, which is then judged by the Académie des Beaux- Arts. Specimens of the work of the artists in Rome holding the prize are exhibited in Paris every year to show the progress of the scholars.
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Prize Court
a court established to adjudicate on prizes captured at sea.
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Probate
in law, the official proof of a will. This is done either in common form, which is upon the oath of the executor before the judge of the probate court; or per testes (by witnesses), in some solemn form of law, in case the validity of the will is disputed.
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Probate Court
a court of record established to exercise jurisdiction and authority in relation to probate of wills and letters of administration, and to hear and determine all questions relating to matters and causes testamentary.
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Probationer
one who is in a state of probation or trial, so that he may give proof of his qualifications for a certain position, place, or state. Also a student in divinity.
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Proboscidea
in zoölogy, an order of mammalia, characterized by the absence of canine teeth, the molars few in number, large, and transversely ridged or tuberculate; incisors always present, growing from persistent pulps, and constituting long tusks. One living genus, Elephas.
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Proboscis Monkey
or KAHAU (Presbytes nasalis), a native of Borneo, distinguished particularly by its elongated nose, its shortened thumbs, and its elongated tail. The general color is a lightish red,
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Probus
2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) MARCUS AURELIUS, a Roman emperor; born in Sirmium, Pannonia; early entered the army, and attracted the notice of the Emperor Valerian. He distinguished himself on the Danube, and in Africa, Egypt, Asia, Germany, and Gaul. By the Emperor Tacitus he was appointed governor of the Asiatic possessions of Rome, and on the latter's death was called to the throne (A. D. 276). His brief reign was brilliant; the Germans were driven out of Gaul, and the barbarians from the Rhætian, Pannonian, and Thracian frontiers; and Persia was forced to accept peace. Probus devoted himself to the development of its internal resources. He employed the soldiers as laborers in executing various extensive and important works, occupations considered as degrading by them; and a large body of troops engaged in draining swamps murdered the emperor in 282.
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Procedure
CIVIL, the method of proceeding in a civil suit throughout its various stages.
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Process
in anatomy, an enlargement, such as the cygomatic process of the temporal bone, the vermiform process of the cerebellum, etc. In botany, any extension of the surface; a protrusion whether natural or monstrous. In law, a term applied to the whole course of proceedings in a cause, real or personal, civil or criminal, from the original writ to the end of the suit.
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Processional
a service book of the Roman Catholic Church, for use in religious processions.
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Prochlorite
a species of chlorite, consisting of a hydrated silicate of alumina, iron and magnesia. Crystallizes in the monoclinic system. It occurs in granular or foliated masses, is green in color, and may be either opaque or translucent.
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Procida
an islet of Italy, between the island of Ischia and the mainland (Cape Miseno), 12 miles W. by S. of Naples; area, 1½ square miles; pop, about 15,000. On its shores is the city of the same name, with a harbor, a royal palace, a State prison, and a marine school. The people fish coral, tunny, and sardines, and grow fruits, wine, and oil. The island was occupied o by Great Britain on two or three occasions between 1799 and 1813. Pop. about 5,000.
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Procopius
Born of a noble family in Cilicia, and related to the emperor Julian. He signalized himself under Julian, and afterward retired to the Thracian Chersonesus, whence he made his appearance at Constantinople, and proclaimed himself master of the Eastern Empire. He was defeated in Phrygia, and beheaded A. D. 366. There was a famous Greek historian of the same name, who wrote the history of the reign of Justinian, and who was secretary to Belisarius . Procrustes (The Stretcher). A surname of the famous robber Polypemon or Damastes. He used to tie all travelers who fell into his hands upon a bed; if they were shorter than the bed, he stretched their limbs till they were of the same length; if they were longer than the bed, he made them of the same size by cutting off some of their limbs. He was slain by Theseus . 2026 Editor's Note: This entry distinguishes between the 4th-century Roman usurper Procopius and the 6th-century Byzantine historian Procopius of Caesarea. The latter served as a legal secretary to the general Belisarius and authored the History of the Wars and the Secret History, which provides a critical account of Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora . (Ed: BR 2026-06-03)
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