Rambler, The
The, a periodical published in London by Dr. Samuel Johnson, 1750-52. It was issued twice each week during these two years. It would seem to have been an attempt to revive the periodical style of literature so popular in the days of Addison's Spectator. The Rambler dealt with a wide range of subjects, treated for the most part in a serious tone. Collected into book form, The Rambler had a large circulation and exerted considerable influence. See Johnson ; Samuel; Spectator ; The
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Rambouillet
CATHERINE DE social leader; born in Rome, Italy, in she married Charles d'Angennes, son of 1588. In 1600, when only 12 years old, the Marquis de Rambouillet, to whose title and estates he succeeded on the death of the latter in 1611. Her residence at than 50 years formed the center of a Paris, the Hôtel Rambouillet , for more circle which exercised great influence on French language , literature, and civilization. She died in Paris in 1665. a French musician; born in Dijon, Sept.
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Rameswaram
a low sandy island in the Gulf of Manaar, between the mainland of India and Ceylon. It is about 11 miles long and 6 broad, and contains one of the most venerated Hindu temples in India, the resort of thousands of pilgrims. Pop. about 18,000.
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Ramie
ram'e, a Chinese shrub about the height of a man, allied to the nettles. It is cultivated like hemp, except that the roots once set produce an annual clump of stalks indefinitely. Its inner bark, like that of the nettle, yields a strong, durable, silky fiber, widely used by the Chinese in the manufacture of suiting, dress goods, and upholstery. It is so fine and delicate that it may be used with silk or alone in the weaving of curtains, embroideries, and fine laces. It is so strong that it makes excellent thread, fishing nets, and cordage, of all sorts. For table damask, napkins, handkerchiefs, and window curtains, it is second only to linen. Ramie velvets and plushes are praised for the softness and fineness of their texture. It also makes an excellent paper, well suited for bank notes. The French government uses no other. Ramie cloth is the basis of the incandescent, gas mantle. Though introduced but recently into this country, it is evident that ramie goods are to be in high favor. See Raffia ; Sisal ; Hemp ; Manila ; Nettle ; Jute
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Ramil
a plant producing what is popularly known as China grass. The value of ramil as a textile fiber has long been known. China has been making ramil fabrics since the time of Confucius, and the ancient Romans wore robes woven of its silky floss. China not only supplies an enormous home demand, but suppine also exports annually hundreds of millions of pounds to foreign lands. The plants, which are indigenous to Asia, are now grown quite extensively in South America and other warm countries. The plant does well in the S. part of the United States and a finer fiber can be grown there than in the tropics. In such a climate the fiber is long, silky and brilliant, and textiles made from it are stronger than linen and have the luster of silk. One obstacle to the general use of this fiber has been the difficulty of extracting the filaments from the rest of the stalk, but a machine has been invented by an American which removes this.
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Ramillies
a village of Brabant, Belgium; 14 miles N. of Namur; memorable as the place near which, May 23, 1706, the French forces under Marshal Villeroy and the Elector of Bavaria were defeated by Marlborough, with the loss of almost all their cannon and baggage, and 13,000 killed and wounded. This victory compelled the French to give up the whole of the Spanish Netherlands. It was the scene of hard fighting in 1914 when the German armies overran Belgium. It was held by them until the closing months of the war, in 1918.
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Ramnagar
two towns of India: (1) a town of the Northwestern Provinces; on the right bank of the Ganges, 2 miles above Benares. It contains a palace, the residence of the rajah of Benares, which rises from the banks of the sacred stream by a number of fine ghats or flights of stairs. There is a fort, and whips and wicker-work chairs are manufactured. (2) A town of the Punjab, on the Chenab river, 28 miles N. W. of Gujranwala. It was a place of great importance in the 18th century, being then known as Rasulnagar, but was stormed by the Sikhs under Ranjit Singh in 1795, and its name changed to Ramnagar. The inhabitants make leathern vessels. A large fair is held here every April.
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Rampant
in heraldry, standing upright on the hind legs (properly on one foot only), as if attacking (said of a beast of prey, as the lion). Counterrampant, said of an animal rampant toward the sinister. When applied to two animals the term denotes that they are rampant contrariwise in saltire, or that they are rampant face to face.
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Rampart
in fortification, an elevation or mound of earth round a place, capable of resisting cannon shot, and on which the parapet is raised. The term in general usage includes the parapet itself.
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Ramphastos
the generic name of the toucans.
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Rampion
Campanula Rapunculus, nculus, a plant of the natural order Campanulaceæ, or bellworts, indigenous to Great Britain, as well as to various parts of the continent of Europe. Its root may be eaten in a raw state like radish. Both leaves and root may also be cut into winter salads.
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Rampolla
MARIANO DEL TIN- DARO, an Italian clergyman; born in Polizzi, Sicily, Aug. 17, 1843; was a member of the Sicilian aristocracy, which enabled him to reach a very exalted position in the Catholic hierarchy. On the decease of Cardinal Jacobini, the Papal Secretary of State, in 1887, Pope Leo XIII. created Rampolla a cardinal and also appointed him Papal Secretary of State. He at once began to make his influence felt in foreign affairs. His principal object was a political alliance with France, in order to insure the support of that country in the restoration of the temporal power of the Pope. To this end he was the first to discard the French Royalist party. The French Republic was solemnly recognized by him, and the French clerical electorate encouraged to vote for the Republican candidates. The Dreyfus affair, however, having given to the French policy a different turn, destroyed entirely the plan. Rampolla was also the prefect of severa. congregations, and Grand Prior of the Military Order of Malta. It was believed that he would be elected Pope in 1903, but Austrian interests were opposed to him, and Pius X. was raised to the Papal throne. Rampolla resigned office. He died in 1913.
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